International Tables for Crystallography, Definition and Exchange of Crystallographic Data

Book excerpt: International Tables for Crystallography Volume G, Definition and exchange of crystallographic data, describes the standard data exchange and archival file format (the Crystallographic Information File, or CIF) used throughout crystallography. It provides in-depth information vital for small-molecule, inorganic and macromolecular crystallographers, mineralogists, chemists, materials scientists, solid-state physicists and others who wish to record or use the results of a single-crystal or powder diffraction experiment. The volume also provides the detailed data ontology necessary for programmers and database managers to design interoperable computer applications. The accompanying CD-ROM contains the CIF dictionaries in machine-readable form and a collection of libraries and utility programs. 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.