2.2.2 File Formats: XML and HDF5

Energistics data objects are defined using XML, which is used because of its portability and ability for humans (as well as computers) to read and understand it. However, XML is not very efficient at handling large volumes of numerical or array data, so for this purpose Energistics uses the Hierarchical Data Format, version 5 (HDF5). Energistics has a standard pattern to provide a reference from the XML data object to associated HDF5 data.