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 1.1.4.3. System developer

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.

1.1.4.3. System developer

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In this context, a system developer is one who aims to provide an end-to-end workflow, with tools that can take full advantage of all existing CIF features. Such an ambitious programmer should read all the specification chapters of Part 2, and the introductory discussions of general principles in programming (Chapter 5.1[link] ), dictionary construction (Chapter 3.1[link] ) and dictionary maintenance (Chapter 4.1[link] ).

Plans to develop re-usable application programming interfaces or software libraries should be informed by consideration of the CIF API (Chapter 5.2[link] ) or existing libraries (Chapter 5.3[link] ). It may also be useful to read the other chapters in Part 5 to identify existing programs that may be incorporated into the developing pipeline, ported to a more convenient programming language, or that may provide ideas on end-user function and usability.








































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