International
Tables for
Crystallography
Volume G
Definition and exchange of crystallographic data
Edited by J. R. Hester and B. McMahon

© International Union of Crystallography 2026
International Tables for Crystallography (2026). Vol. G. Early view chapter

Section 1.1.2. The general reader

James R. Hestera and Brian McMahonb

aAustralian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee DC, NSW 2232, Australia, and bInternational Union of Crystallography, 5 Abbey Square, Chester CH1 2HU, UK.

1.1.2. The general reader

| top | pdf |

The introductory Chapter 1.2[link] establishes the need for data exchange standards, and relates this to best practice for scientific data management. The history of how the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr) commissioned the CIF project to establish such standards is described in Chapter 8.1[link] .

Chapter 4.1[link] , on the management and use of CIF dictionaries, explains the significance of the data definitions that establish an interoperable ontology. If the general reader is interested in details of the concrete format that is used within crystallography both for data files and dictionaries, Section 2.1.3[link] is probably sufficient. If further detail on the syntax is desired, it may be found in Chapter 2.2[link] .

Parts 6 and 7 discuss how CIF is used to facilitate publishing of structure report papers and deposition of structures in curated crystallographic databases, respectively.








































to end of page
to top of page