International Tables for Crystallography

Volume G: Definition and exchange of crystallographic data

Second online edition (2026)   ISBN: 978-1-3944-4588-2   https://doi.org/10.1107/97809553602060000119

Edited by J. R. Hester and B. McMahon

	| contents |
	| contributors | editors |
	| CIF dictionaries |

Volume G is a comprehensive reference for the Crystallographic Information Framework, the data exchange protocol devised and maintained by the International Union of Crystallography for crystal structure data and experimental metadata. It describes the concrete syntax for exchange files used throughout crystallography, known as the Crystallographic Information File. It details the data definitions for numerous crystallographic applications (the CIF dictionaries). It provides extensive documentation and guidance for programmers and systems developers, both those wishing to develop crystallographic applications and those seeking to build interoperable systems with other scientific domains. It describes data-driven workflows in crystallographic publishing and database operations, and it provides context for understanding and implementing robust data-management plans in structural science.

This volume is an essential guide and reference for programmers of crystallographic software, data managers handling crystal-structure information and practising crystallographers who need to use CIF.

The previous edition of Volume G has been reviewed by R. Goddard [Acta Cryst. (2006). A62, 463-464], A. Blake (Crystallography News, No. 97, June 2006, pp. 8-9), J. M. Goodman (Chemical Informatics Letters, 13, July 2006) and D. J. Watkin (IUCr Newsletter, Volume 14, No. 3, 2006, p. 4).