pyfive : A pure Python HDF5 file reader
pyfive is an open source library for reading HDF5 files written using
pure Python (no C extensions). The package is still in development and not all
features of HDF5 files are supported.
pyfive aims to support the same API as h5py for reading files.
Cases where a file uses a feature that is supported by h5py but not pyfive are considered bugs
and should be reported in our Issues.
Writing HDF5 output is not a goal of pyfive and portions of the API which apply only to writing will not be implemented.
Dependencies
pyfive is tested against Python versions 3.11 to 3.14.
It may also work with other Python versions.
The only dependencies to run the software besides Python is numpy.
Install
pyfive can be installed using pip using the command::
pip install pyfive
conda packages are also available from conda-forge::
conda install -c conda-forge pyfive
To install from source in your home directory use::
pip install --user ./pyfive
The library can also be imported directly from the source directory.
Development
git
You can check out the latest pyfive souces with the command::
git clone https://github.com/NCAS-CMS/pyfive.git
testing
pyfive comes with a test suite in the tests directory.
These tests can be exercised using the pytest command from the root directory (requires installation of the pytest package).
Conda-forge feedstock
Package repository conda-forge feedstock
Codecov
Test coverage assessement is done using codecov
Documentation
Build locally with Sphinx:
$ sphinx-build -Ea doc doc/build
3 maintainers
Metadata
3 maintainers
Release files for pyfive 1.2.1
For a detailed explanation of source distributions (sdists) and built distributions (wheels), please see the package formats documentation.
Source distribution (sdist)
| File | Size | Uploaded | |
|---|---|---|---|
| pyfive-1.2.1.tar.gz | 76.3 MB | Details |
Built distribution (wheel)
| File | Interpreter | ABI | Platform | Reset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| pyfive-1.2.1-py3-none-any.whl | Python 3 | none | any | Details |
Total release size: 76.4 MB
Release files / pyfive-1.2.1.tar.gz
| Download URL | pyfive-1.2.1.tar.gz |
|---|---|
| Size | 76.3 MB |
| Tags | Source |
|
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Uploaded using Trusted Publishing? What is trusted publishing? |
Yes |
| Uploaded via |
twine/7.0.0 CPython/3.13.14
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Transparency logRelease files / pyfive-1.2.1-py3-none-any.whl
| Download URL | pyfive-1.2.1-py3-none-any.whl |
|---|---|
| Size | 69.4 kB |
| Tags | Python 3 |
|
SHA-256 checksum How to use checksums |
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BLAKE2b-256 checksum How to use checksums |
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| Upload date | |
|
Uploaded using Trusted Publishing? What is trusted publishing? |
Yes |
| Uploaded via |
twine/7.0.0 CPython/3.13.14
|
Provenance
Provenance describes where a file came from. On PyPI, provenance is shared via attestations, which provide a verifiable record of the build or publishing details. View details, limitations and caveats.
PyPI Publish Attestation
PyPI verified that this artifact, at this checksum, originated from the publisher listed below.
Signed by GitHub Actions, verified by PyPI on Sep 21, 2026.
Transparency log
