Implement resize_data() method for all classes (except for Bit columns) and impl…

…ement elements() method for defining variable-length column. A variable-length column is now constructued by passing a negative column vector length. The size of a row is specified using the elements() method that makes use of the resize_data() method implemented by the derived classes. The only column type that is not yet implemented is the Bit column. Also the string columns do not yet work properly for variable-length columns.

Implement resize_data() method for all classes (except for Bit columns) and impl…
…ement elements() method for defining variable-length column. A variable-length column is now constructued by passing a negative column vector length. The size of a row is specified using the elements() method that makes use of the resize_data() method implemented by the derived classes. The only column type that is not yet implemented is the Bit column. Also the string columns do not yet work properly for variable-length columns.
Jürgen Knödlseder
1 parent f0032bb6
Showing 26 changed files with 898 additions and 37 deletions
include/GFitsTableBitCol.hpp
include/GFitsTableBoolCol.hpp
include/GFitsTableByteCol.hpp
include/GFitsTableCDoubleCol.hpp
include/GFitsTableCFloatCol.hpp
include/GFitsTableCol.hpp
include/GFitsTableDoubleCol.hpp
include/GFitsTableFloatCol.hpp
include/GFitsTableLongCol.hpp
include/GFitsTableLongLongCol.hpp
include/GFitsTableStringCol.hpp
include/GFitsTableULongCol.hpp
include/GFitsTableUShortCol.hpp
src/fits/GFitsTableBitCol.cpp
src/fits/GFitsTableBoolCol.cpp
src/fits/GFitsTableByteCol.cpp
src/fits/GFitsTableCDoubleCol.cpp
src/fits/GFitsTableCFloatCol.cpp
src/fits/GFitsTableDoubleCol.cpp
src/fits/GFitsTableFloatCol.cpp
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ private:
     virtual void        alloc_data(void);
     virtual void        init_data(void);
     virtual void        fetch_data(void) const;
+    virtual void        resize_data(const int& index, const int& number);
     virtual void        release_data(void);
     virtual void*       ptr_data(const int& index = 0);
     virtual void*       ptr_nulval(void);
@@ -85,6 +85,7 @@ private:
     virtual void        alloc_data(void);
     virtual void        init_data(void);
     virtual void        fetch_data(void) const;
+    virtual void        resize_data(const int& index, const int& number);
     virtual void        release_data(void);
     virtual void*       ptr_data(const int& index = 0);
     virtual void*       ptr_nulval(void);
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ private:
     virtual void        alloc_data(void);
     virtual void        init_data(void);
     virtual void        fetch_data(void) const;
+    virtual void        resize_data(const int& index, const int& number);
     virtual void        release_data(void);
     virtual void*       ptr_data(const int& index = 0);
     virtual void*       ptr_nulval(void);
@@ -81,6 +81,7 @@ private:
     virtual void        alloc_data(void);
     virtual void        init_data(void);
     virtual void        fetch_data(void) const;
+    virtual void        resize_data(const int& index, const int& number);
     virtual void        release_data(void);
     virtual void*       ptr_data(const int& index = 0);
     virtual void*       ptr_nulval(void);
@@ -81,6 +81,7 @@ private:
     virtual void        alloc_data(void);
     virtual void        init_data(void);
     virtual void        fetch_data(void) const;
+    virtual void        resize_data(const int& index, const int& number);
     virtual void        release_data(void);
     virtual void*       ptr_data(const int& index = 0);
     virtual void*       ptr_nulval(void);
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ protected:
     virtual void        alloc_data(void) = 0;
     virtual void        init_data(void) = 0;
     virtual void        fetch_data(void) const = 0;
-    virtual void        resize_data(const int& index, const int& number) {}
+    virtual void        resize_data(const int& index, const int& number) = 0;
     virtual void        release_data(void) = 0;
     virtual void*       ptr_data(const int& index = 0) = 0;
     virtual void*       ptr_nulval(void) = 0;
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ private:
     virtual void        alloc_data(void);
     virtual void        init_data(void);
     virtual void        fetch_data(void) const;
+    virtual void        resize_data(const int& index, const int& number);
     virtual void        release_data(void);
     virtual void*       ptr_data(const int& index = 0);
     virtual void*       ptr_nulval(void);
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ private:
     virtual void        alloc_data(void);
     virtual void        init_data(void);
     virtual void        fetch_data(void) const;
+    virtual void        resize_data(const int& index, const int& number);
     virtual void        release_data(void);
     virtual void*       ptr_data(const int& index = 0);
     virtual void*       ptr_nulval(void);
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ private:
     virtual void        alloc_data(void);
     virtual void        init_data(void);
     virtual void        fetch_data(void) const;
+    virtual void        resize_data(const int& index, const int& number);
     virtual void        release_data(void);
     virtual void*       ptr_data(const int& index = 0);
     virtual void*       ptr_nulval(void);
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ private:
     virtual void        alloc_data(void);
     virtual void        init_data(void);
     virtual void        fetch_data(void) const;
+    virtual void        resize_data(const int& index, const int& number);
     virtual void        release_data(void);
     virtual void*       ptr_data(const int& index = 0);
     virtual void*       ptr_nulval(void);
@@ -82,6 +82,7 @@ private:
     virtual void        alloc_data(void);
     virtual void        init_data(void);
     virtual void        fetch_data(void) const;
+    virtual void        resize_data(const int& index, const int& number);
     virtual void        release_data(void);
     virtual void*       ptr_data(const int& index = 0);
     virtual void*       ptr_nulval(void);
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ private:
     virtual void        alloc_data(void);
     virtual void        init_data(void);
     virtual void        fetch_data(void) const;
+    virtual void        resize_data(const int& index, const int& number);
     virtual void        release_data(void);
     virtual void*       ptr_data(const int& index = 0);
     virtual void*       ptr_nulval(void);
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ private:
     virtual void        alloc_data(void);
     virtual void        init_data(void);
     virtual void        fetch_data(void) const;
+    virtual void        resize_data(const int& index, const int& number);
     virtual void        release_data(void);
     virtual void*       ptr_data(const int& index = 0);
     virtual void*       ptr_nulval(void);
@@ -723,6 +723,28 @@ void GFitsTableBitCol::fetch_data(void) const
 /***********************************************************************//**
+ * @brief Resize column data
+ *
+ * @param[in] index Start index.
+ * @param[in] number Number of elements to add/remove.
+ *
+ * Adds or removes elements from specified index on. Adding is done if
+ * @p number is a positive number, removing if @p number is negative.
+ * Note that the method does not change the validity of the arguments.
+ * This needs to be done by the client.
+ *
+ * @todo Needs to be implemented
+ ***************************************************************************/
+void GFitsTableBitCol::resize_data(const int& index, const int& number)
+{
+    //TODO
+
+    // Return
+    return;
+}
+
+
+/***********************************************************************//**
  * @brief Release column data
  ***************************************************************************/
 void GFitsTableBitCol::release_data(void)
@@ -531,7 +531,8 @@ void GFitsTableBoolCol::copy_members(const GFitsTableBoolCol&amp; column)
     // Copy column data
     if (column.m_data != NULL && m_size > 0) {
-        alloc_data();
+        if (m_data != NULL) delete [] m_data;
+        m_data = new bool[m_size];
         for (int i = 0; i < m_size; ++i) {
             m_data[i] = column.m_data[i];
         }
@@ -644,6 +645,10 @@ void GFitsTableBoolCol::alloc_data(void)
         m_data = new bool[m_size];
     }
+    // Allocate also buffer
+    free_buffer();
+    alloc_buffer();
+
     // Return
     return;
 }
@@ -660,16 +665,7 @@ void GFitsTableBoolCol::alloc_data(void)
  ***************************************************************************/
 void GFitsTableBoolCol::fetch_data(void) const
 {
-    // Calculate size of memory
-    m_size = m_number * m_length;
-
-    // Free old buffer memory
-    free_buffer();
-
-    // Allocate buffer memory
-    alloc_buffer();
-
-    // Save column
+    // Load column
     const_cast<GFitsTableBoolCol*>(this)->load_column();
     // Extract values from buffer
@@ -686,6 +682,73 @@ void GFitsTableBoolCol::fetch_data(void) const
 /***********************************************************************//**
+ * @brief Resize column data
+ *
+ * @param[in] index Start index.
+ * @param[in] number Number of elements to add/remove.
+ *
+ * Adds or removes elements from specified index on. Adding is done if
+ * @p number is a positive number, removing if @p number is negative.
+ * Note that the method does not change the validity of the arguments.
+ * This needs to be done by the client.
+ ***************************************************************************/
+void GFitsTableBoolCol::resize_data(const int& index, const int& number)
+{
+    // Continue only if number of elements is not zero
+    if (number != 0) {
+
+        // If data are not available then load them now
+        if (m_data == NULL) fetch_data();
+
+        // If elements should be removed then do not allocate new memory
+        // but just move elements forward and change the logical size of
+        // memory. Only if all elements should be removed the memory is
+        // released.
+        if (number < 0) {
+            if (m_data != NULL) {
+                int    left = index - number;
+                bool*  dst  = m_data + index;
+                bool*  src  = m_data + left;
+                int    num  = m_size - left;
+                for (int i = 0; i < num; ++i) {
+                    *dst++ = *src++;
+                }
+                m_size += number;
+                if (m_size < 1) {
+                    release_data();
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        // If elements should be added then allocate new memory, copy over
+        // the old data and initialise the new elements
+        else {
+            int left       = m_size - index;
+            m_size        += number;
+            bool* new_data = new bool[m_size];
+            bool* dst      = new_data;
+            bool* src      = m_data;
+            for (int i = 0; i < index; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            for (int i = 0; i < number; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = false;
+            }
+            for (int i = 0; i < left; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            if (m_data != NULL) delete [] m_data;
+            m_data = new_data;
+        }
+
+    } // endif: number was non-zero
+
+    // Return
+    return;
+}
+
+
+/***********************************************************************//**
  * @brief Release column data
  ***************************************************************************/
 void GFitsTableBoolCol::release_data(void)
@@ -620,6 +620,71 @@ void GFitsTableByteCol::fetch_data(void) const
 /***********************************************************************//**
+ * @brief Resize column data
+ *
+ * @param[in] index Start index.
+ * @param[in] number Number of elements to add/remove.
+ *
+ * Adds or removes elements from specified index on. Adding is done if
+ * @p number is a positive number, removing if @p number is negative.
+ * Note that the method does not change the validity of the arguments.
+ * This needs to be done by the client.
+ ***************************************************************************/
+void GFitsTableByteCol::resize_data(const int& index, const int& number)
+{
+    // Continue only if number of elements is not zero
+    if (number != 0) {
+
+        // If data are not available then load them now
+        if (m_data == NULL) fetch_data();
+
+        // If elements should be removed then do not allocate new memory
+        // but just move elements forward and change the logical size of
+        // memory. Only if all elements should be removed the memory is
+        // released.
+        if (number < 0) {
+            int            left = index - number;
+            unsigned char* dst  = m_data + index;
+            unsigned char* src  = m_data + left;
+            int    num  = m_size - left;
+            for (int i = 0; i < num; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            m_size += number;
+            if (m_size < 1) {
+                release_data();
+            }
+        }
+
+        // If elements should be added then allocate new memory, copy over
+        // the old data and initialise the new elements
+        else {
+            int left                = m_size - index;
+            m_size                 += number;
+            unsigned char* new_data = new unsigned char[m_size];
+            unsigned char* dst      = new_data;
+            unsigned char* src      = m_data;
+            for (int i = 0; i < index; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            for (int i = 0; i < number; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = 0;
+            }
+            for (int i = 0; i < left; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            if (m_data != NULL) delete [] m_data;
+            m_data = new_data;
+        }
+
+    } // endif: number was non-zero
+
+    // Return
+    return;
+}
+
+
+/***********************************************************************//**
  * @brief Release column data
  ***************************************************************************/
 void GFitsTableByteCol::release_data(void)
@@ -630,6 +630,73 @@ void GFitsTableCDoubleCol::fetch_data(void) const
 /***********************************************************************//**
+ * @brief Resize column data
+ *
+ * @param[in] index Start index.
+ * @param[in] number Number of elements to add/remove.
+ *
+ * Adds or removes elements from specified index on. Adding is done if
+ * @p number is a positive number, removing if @p number is negative.
+ * Note that the method does not change the validity of the arguments.
+ * This needs to be done by the client.
+ ***************************************************************************/
+void GFitsTableCDoubleCol::resize_data(const int& index, const int& number)
+{
+    // Continue only if number of elements is not zero
+    if (number != 0) {
+
+        // If data are not available then load them now
+        if (m_data == NULL) fetch_data();
+
+        // If elements should be removed then do not allocate new memory
+        // but just move elements forward and change the logical size of
+        // memory. Only if all elements should be removed the memory is
+        // released.
+        if (number < 0) {
+            int             left = index - number;
+            GFits::cdouble* dst  = m_data + index;
+            GFits::cdouble* src  = m_data + left;
+            int    num  = m_size - left;
+            for (int i = 0; i < num; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            m_size += number;
+            if (m_size < 1) {
+                release_data();
+            }
+        }
+
+        // If elements should be added then allocate new memory, copy over
+        // the old data and initialise the new elements
+        else {
+            int left                 = m_size - index;
+            m_size                  += number;
+            GFits::cdouble* new_data = new GFits::cdouble[m_size];
+            GFits::cdouble* dst      = new_data;
+            GFits::cdouble* src      = m_data;
+            for (int i = 0; i < index; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            for (int i = 0; i < number; ++i) {
+                dst->re = 0.0;
+                dst->im = 0.0;
+                dst++;
+            }
+            for (int i = 0; i < left; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            if (m_data != NULL) delete [] m_data;
+            m_data = new_data;
+        }
+
+    } // endif: number was non-zero
+
+    // Return
+    return;
+}
+
+
+/***********************************************************************//**
  * @brief Release column data
  ***************************************************************************/
 void GFitsTableCDoubleCol::release_data(void)
@@ -630,6 +630,73 @@ void GFitsTableCFloatCol::fetch_data(void) const
 /***********************************************************************//**
+ * @brief Resize column data
+ *
+ * @param[in] index Start index.
+ * @param[in] number Number of elements to add/remove.
+ *
+ * Adds or removes elements from specified index on. Adding is done if
+ * @p number is a positive number, removing if @p number is negative.
+ * Note that the method does not change the validity of the arguments.
+ * This needs to be done by the client.
+ ***************************************************************************/
+void GFitsTableCFloatCol::resize_data(const int& index, const int& number)
+{
+    // Continue only if number of elements is not zero
+    if (number != 0) {
+
+        // If data are not available then load them now
+        if (m_data == NULL) fetch_data();
+
+        // If elements should be removed then do not allocate new memory
+        // but just move elements forward and change the logical size of
+        // memory. Only if all elements should be removed the memory is
+        // released.
+        if (number < 0) {
+            int            left = index - number;
+            GFits::cfloat* dst  = m_data + index;
+            GFits::cfloat* src  = m_data + left;
+            int    num  = m_size - left;
+            for (int i = 0; i < num; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            m_size += number;
+            if (m_size < 1) {
+                release_data();
+            }
+        }
+
+        // If elements should be added then allocate new memory, copy over
+        // the old data and initialise the new elements
+        else {
+            int left                = m_size - index;
+            m_size                 += number;
+            GFits::cfloat* new_data = new GFits::cfloat[m_size];
+            GFits::cfloat* dst      = new_data;
+            GFits::cfloat* src      = m_data;
+            for (int i = 0; i < index; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            for (int i = 0; i < number; ++i) {
+                dst->re = 0.0;
+                dst->im = 0.0;
+                dst++;
+            }
+            for (int i = 0; i < left; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            if (m_data != NULL) delete [] m_data;
+            m_data = new_data;
+        }
+
+    } // endif: number was non-zero
+
+    // Return
+    return;
+}
+
+
+/***********************************************************************//**
  * @brief Release column data
  ***************************************************************************/
 void GFitsTableCFloatCol::release_data(void)
@@ -623,6 +623,71 @@ void GFitsTableDoubleCol::fetch_data(void) const
 /***********************************************************************//**
+ * @brief Resize column data
+ *
+ * @param[in] index Start index.
+ * @param[in] number Number of elements to add/remove.
+ *
+ * Adds or removes elements from specified index on. Adding is done if
+ * @p number is a positive number, removing if @p number is negative.
+ * Note that the method does not change the validity of the arguments.
+ * This needs to be done by the client.
+ ***************************************************************************/
+void GFitsTableDoubleCol::resize_data(const int& index, const int& number)
+{
+    // Continue only if number of elements is not zero
+    if (number != 0) {
+
+        // If data are not available then load them now
+        if (m_data == NULL) fetch_data();
+
+        // If elements should be removed then do not allocate new memory
+        // but just move elements forward and change the logical size of
+        // memory. Only if all elements should be removed the memory is
+        // released.
+        if (number < 0) {
+            int     left = index - number;
+            double* dst  = m_data + index;
+            double* src  = m_data + left;
+            int     num  = m_size - left;
+            for (int i = 0; i < num; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            m_size += number;
+            if (m_size < 1) {
+                release_data();
+            }
+        }
+
+        // If elements should be added then allocate new memory, copy over
+        // the old data and initialise the new elements
+        else {
+            int left         = m_size - index;
+            m_size          += number;
+            double* new_data = new double[m_size];
+            double* dst      = new_data;
+            double* src      = m_data;
+            for (int i = 0; i < index; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            for (int i = 0; i < number; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = 0.0;
+            }
+            for (int i = 0; i < left; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            if (m_data != NULL) delete [] m_data;
+            m_data = new_data;
+        }
+
+    } // endif: number was non-zero
+
+    // Return
+    return;
+}
+
+
+/***********************************************************************//**
  * @brief Release column data
  ***************************************************************************/
 void GFitsTableDoubleCol::release_data(void)
@@ -623,6 +623,71 @@ void GFitsTableFloatCol::fetch_data(void) const
 /***********************************************************************//**
+ * @brief Resize column data
+ *
+ * @param[in] index Start index.
+ * @param[in] number Number of elements to add/remove.
+ *
+ * Adds or removes elements from specified index on. Adding is done if
+ * @p number is a positive number, removing if @p number is negative.
+ * Note that the method does not change the validity of the arguments.
+ * This needs to be done by the client.
+ ***************************************************************************/
+void GFitsTableFloatCol::resize_data(const int& index, const int& number)
+{
+    // Continue only if number of elements is not zero
+    if (number != 0) {
+
+        // If data are not available then load them now
+        if (m_data == NULL) fetch_data();
+
+        // If elements should be removed then do not allocate new memory
+        // but just move elements forward and change the logical size of
+        // memory. Only if all elements should be removed the memory is
+        // released.
+        if (number < 0) {
+            int    left = index - number;
+            float* dst  = m_data + index;
+            float* src  = m_data + left;
+            int    num  = m_size - left;
+            for (int i = 0; i < num; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            m_size += number;
+            if (m_size < 1) {
+                release_data();
+            }
+        }
+
+        // If elements should be added then allocate new memory, copy over
+        // the old data and initialise the new elements
+        else {
+            int left        = m_size - index;
+            m_size         += number;
+            float* new_data = new float[m_size];
+            float* dst      = new_data;
+            float* src      = m_data;
+            for (int i = 0; i < index; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            for (int i = 0; i < number; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = 0.0;
+            }
+            for (int i = 0; i < left; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            if (m_data != NULL) delete [] m_data;
+            m_data = new_data;
+        }
+
+    } // endif: number was non-zero
+
+    // Return
+    return;
+}
+
+
+/***********************************************************************//**
  * @brief Release column data
  ***************************************************************************/
 void GFitsTableFloatCol::release_data(void)
@@ -623,6 +623,71 @@ void GFitsTableLongCol::fetch_data(void) const
 /***********************************************************************//**
+ * @brief Resize column data
+ *
+ * @param[in] index Start index.
+ * @param[in] number Number of elements to add/remove.
+ *
+ * Adds or removes elements from specified index on. Adding is done if
+ * @p number is a positive number, removing if @p number is negative.
+ * Note that the method does not change the validity of the arguments.
+ * This needs to be done by the client.
+ ***************************************************************************/
+void GFitsTableLongCol::resize_data(const int& index, const int& number)
+{
+    // Continue only if number of elements is not zero
+    if (number != 0) {
+
+        // If data are not available then load them now
+        if (m_data == NULL) fetch_data();
+
+        // If elements should be removed then do not allocate new memory
+        // but just move elements forward and change the logical size of
+        // memory. Only if all elements should be removed the memory is
+        // released.
+        if (number < 0) {
+            int   left = index - number;
+            long* dst  = m_data + index;
+            long* src  = m_data + left;
+            int   num  = m_size - left;
+            for (int i = 0; i < num; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            m_size += number;
+            if (m_size < 1) {
+                release_data();
+            }
+        }
+
+        // If elements should be added then allocate new memory, copy over
+        // the old data and initialise the new elements
+        else {
+            int left       = m_size - index;
+            m_size        += number;
+            long* new_data = new long[m_size];
+            long* dst      = new_data;
+            long* src      = m_data;
+            for (int i = 0; i < index; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            for (int i = 0; i < number; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = 0;
+            }
+            for (int i = 0; i < left; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            if (m_data != NULL) delete [] m_data;
+            m_data = new_data;
+        }
+
+    } // endif: number was non-zero
+
+    // Return
+    return;
+}
+
+
+/***********************************************************************//**
  * @brief Release column data
  ***************************************************************************/
 void GFitsTableLongCol::release_data(void)
@@ -623,6 +623,71 @@ void GFitsTableLongLongCol::fetch_data(void) const
 /***********************************************************************//**
+ * @brief Resize column data
+ *
+ * @param[in] index Start index.
+ * @param[in] number Number of elements to add/remove.
+ *
+ * Adds or removes elements from specified index on. Adding is done if
+ * @p number is a positive number, removing if @p number is negative.
+ * Note that the method does not change the validity of the arguments.
+ * This needs to be done by the client.
+ ***************************************************************************/
+void GFitsTableLongLongCol::resize_data(const int& index, const int& number)
+{
+    // Continue only if number of elements is not zero
+    if (number != 0) {
+
+        // If data are not available then load them now
+        if (m_data == NULL) fetch_data();
+
+        // If elements should be removed then do not allocate new memory
+        // but just move elements forward and change the logical size of
+        // memory. Only if all elements should be removed the memory is
+        // released.
+        if (number < 0) {
+            int        left = index - number;
+            long long* dst  = m_data + index;
+            long long* src  = m_data + left;
+            int        num  = m_size - left;
+            for (int i = 0; i < num; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            m_size += number;
+            if (m_size < 1) {
+                release_data();
+            }
+        }
+
+        // If elements should be added then allocate new memory, copy over
+        // the old data and initialise the new elements
+        else {
+            int left            = m_size - index;
+            m_size             += number;
+            long long* new_data = new long long[m_size];
+            long long* dst      = new_data;
+            long long* src      = m_data;
+            for (int i = 0; i < index; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            for (int i = 0; i < number; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = 0;
+            }
+            for (int i = 0; i < left; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            if (m_data != NULL) delete [] m_data;
+            m_data = new_data;
+        }
+
+    } // endif: number was non-zero
+
+    // Return
+    return;
+}
+
+
+/***********************************************************************//**
  * @brief Release column data
  ***************************************************************************/
 void GFitsTableLongLongCol::release_data(void)
@@ -539,7 +539,8 @@ void GFitsTableStringCol::copy_members(const GFitsTableStringCol&amp; column)
     // Copy column data
     if (column.m_data != NULL && m_size > 0) {
-        alloc_data();
+        if (m_data != NULL) delete [] m_data;
+        m_data = new std::string[m_size];
         for (int i = 0; i < m_size; ++i) {
             m_data[i] = column.m_data[i];
         }
@@ -662,6 +663,10 @@ void GFitsTableStringCol::alloc_data(void)
         m_data = new std::string[m_size];
     }
+    // Allocate also buffer
+    free_buffer();
+    alloc_buffer();
+
     // Return
     return;
 }
@@ -679,13 +684,13 @@ void GFitsTableStringCol::alloc_data(void)
 void GFitsTableStringCol::fetch_data(void) const
 {
     // Calculate size of memory
-    m_size = m_number * m_length;
+    //m_size = m_number * m_length;
     // Free old buffer memory
-    free_buffer();
+    //free_buffer();
     // Allocate buffer memory
-    alloc_buffer();
+    //alloc_buffer();
     // Load column
     const_cast<GFitsTableStringCol*>(this)->load_column();
@@ -706,6 +711,71 @@ void GFitsTableStringCol::fetch_data(void) const
 /***********************************************************************//**
+ * @brief Resize column data
+ *
+ * @param[in] index Start index.
+ * @param[in] number Number of elements to add/remove.
+ *
+ * Adds or removes elements from specified index on. Adding is done if
+ * @p number is a positive number, removing if @p number is negative.
+ * Note that the method does not change the validity of the arguments.
+ * This needs to be done by the client.
+ ***************************************************************************/
+void GFitsTableStringCol::resize_data(const int& index, const int& number)
+{
+    // Continue only if number of elements is not zero
+    if (number != 0) {
+
+        // If data are not available then load them now
+        if (m_data == NULL) fetch_data();
+
+        // If elements should be removed then do not allocate new memory
+        // but just move elements forward and change the logical size of
+        // memory. Only if all elements should be removed the memory is
+        // released.
+        if (number < 0) {
+            int          left = index - number;
+            std::string* dst  = m_data + index;
+            std::string* src  = m_data + left;
+            int          num  = m_size - left;
+            for (int i = 0; i < num; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            m_size += number;
+            if (m_size < 1) {
+                release_data();
+            }
+        }
+
+        // If elements should be added then allocate new memory, copy over
+        // the old data and initialise the new elements
+        else {
+            int left              = m_size - index;
+            m_size               += number;
+            std::string* new_data = new std::string[m_size];
+            std::string* dst      = new_data;
+            std::string* src      = m_data;
+            for (int i = 0; i < index; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            for (int i = 0; i < number; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = "";
+            }
+            for (int i = 0; i < left; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            if (m_data != NULL) delete [] m_data;
+            m_data = new_data;
+        }
+
+    } // endif: number was non-zero
+
+    // Return
+    return;
+}
+
+
+/***********************************************************************//**
  * @brief Release column data
  ***************************************************************************/
 void GFitsTableStringCol::release_data(void)
@@ -619,6 +619,71 @@ void GFitsTableULongCol::fetch_data(void) const
 /***********************************************************************//**
+ * @brief Resize column data
+ *
+ * @param[in] index Start index.
+ * @param[in] number Number of elements to add/remove.
+ *
+ * Adds or removes elements from specified index on. Adding is done if
+ * @p number is a positive number, removing if @p number is negative.
+ * Note that the method does not change the validity of the arguments.
+ * This needs to be done by the client.
+ ***************************************************************************/
+void GFitsTableULongCol::resize_data(const int& index, const int& number)
+{
+    // Continue only if number of elements is not zero
+    if (number != 0) {
+
+        // If data are not available then load them now
+        if (m_data == NULL) fetch_data();
+
+        // If elements should be removed then do not allocate new memory
+        // but just move elements forward and change the logical size of
+        // memory. Only if all elements should be removed the memory is
+        // released.
+        if (number < 0) {
+            int            left = index - number;
+            unsigned long* dst  = m_data + index;
+            unsigned long* src  = m_data + left;
+            int            num  = m_size - left;
+            for (int i = 0; i < num; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            m_size += number;
+            if (m_size < 1) {
+                release_data();
+            }
+        }
+
+        // If elements should be added then allocate new memory, copy over
+        // the old data and initialise the new elements
+        else {
+            int left                = m_size - index;
+            m_size                 += number;
+            unsigned long* new_data = new unsigned long[m_size];
+            unsigned long* dst      = new_data;
+            unsigned long* src      = m_data;
+            for (int i = 0; i < index; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            for (int i = 0; i < number; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = 0;
+            }
+            for (int i = 0; i < left; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            if (m_data != NULL) delete [] m_data;
+            m_data = new_data;
+        }
+
+    } // endif: number was non-zero
+
+    // Return
+    return;
+}
+
+
+/***********************************************************************//**
  * @brief Release column data
  ***************************************************************************/
 void GFitsTableULongCol::release_data(void)
@@ -619,6 +619,71 @@ void GFitsTableUShortCol::fetch_data(void) const
 /***********************************************************************//**
+ * @brief Resize column data
+ *
+ * @param[in] index Start index.
+ * @param[in] number Number of elements to add/remove.
+ *
+ * Adds or removes elements from specified index on. Adding is done if
+ * @p number is a positive number, removing if @p number is negative.
+ * Note that the method does not change the validity of the arguments.
+ * This needs to be done by the client.
+ ***************************************************************************/
+void GFitsTableUShortCol::resize_data(const int& index, const int& number)
+{
+    // Continue only if number of elements is not zero
+    if (number != 0) {
+
+        // If data are not available then load them now
+        if (m_data == NULL) fetch_data();
+
+        // If elements should be removed then do not allocate new memory
+        // but just move elements forward and change the logical size of
+        // memory. Only if all elements should be removed the memory is
+        // released.
+        if (number < 0) {
+            int             left = index - number;
+            unsigned short* dst  = m_data + index;
+            unsigned short* src  = m_data + left;
+            int             num  = m_size - left;
+            for (int i = 0; i < num; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            m_size += number;
+            if (m_size < 1) {
+                release_data();
+            }
+        }
+
+        // If elements should be added then allocate new memory, copy over
+        // the old data and initialise the new elements
+        else {
+            int left                 = m_size - index;
+            m_size                  += number;
+            unsigned short* new_data = new unsigned short[m_size];
+            unsigned short* dst      = new_data;
+            unsigned short* src      = m_data;
+            for (int i = 0; i < index; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            for (int i = 0; i < number; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = 0;
+            }
+            for (int i = 0; i < left; ++i) {
+                *dst++ = *src++;
+            }
+            if (m_data != NULL) delete [] m_data;
+            m_data = new_data;
+        }
+
+    } // endif: number was non-zero
+
+    // Return
+    return;
+}
+
+
+/***********************************************************************//**
  * @brief Release column data
  ***************************************************************************/
 void GFitsTableUShortCol::release_data(void)
@@ -208,6 +208,71 @@
                         col2.string(i,j)+" is not "+gammalib::str(val)); \
         } \
     }
+#define TEST_TABLE2_BOOL \
+    for (int i = 0; i < nrows; ++i) { \
+        for (int j = 0; j < nvec; ++j) { \
+            col2(i,j) = (i % 2) * (j % 2); \
+        } \
+    } \
+    for (int i = 0; i < nrows; ++i) { \
+        for (int j = 0; j < nvec; ++j) { \
+            int         ival = ((i % 2) * (j % 2)); \
+            std::string sval = ((i % 2) * (j % 2)) ? "T" : "F"; \
+            test_assert((col2(i,j) == ival), \
+                        "Test access operator row "+gammalib::str(i)+" and element "+gammalib::str(j), \
+                        gammalib::str(col2(i,j))+" is not "+gammalib::str(ival)); \
+            test_assert((col2.real(i,j) == double(ival)), \
+                        "Test real() method for row "+gammalib::str(i)+" and element "+gammalib::str(j), \
+                        gammalib::str(col2.real(i,j))+" is not "+gammalib::str(double(ival))); \
+            test_assert((col2.integer(i,j) == int(ival)), \
+                        "Test integer() method for row "+gammalib::str(i)+" and element "+gammalib::str(j), \
+                        gammalib::str(col2.integer(i,j))+" is not "+gammalib::str(int(ival))); \
+            test_assert((col2.string(i,j) == gammalib::str(ival) || col2.string(i,j) == sval), \
+                        "Test string() method for row "+gammalib::str(i)+" and element "+gammalib::str(j), \
+                        col2.string(i,j)+" is not "+gammalib::str(ival)+" or "+sval); \
+        } \
+    }
+#define TEST_TABLE2_STRING \
+    for (int i = 0; i < nrows; ++i) { \
+        for (int j = 0; j < nvec; ++j) { \
+            col2(i,j) = gammalib::str(double(i)*2.3 + double(j)*11.7 + 0.95); \
+        } \
+    } \
+    for (int i = 0; i < nrows; ++i) { \
+        for (int j = 0; j < nvec; ++j) { \
+            double val = double(i)*2.3 + double(j)*11.7 + 0.95; \
+            test_value(gammalib::todouble(col2(i,j)), val, 1e-6, \
+                       "Test access operator row "+gammalib::str(i)+" and element "+gammalib::str(j)); \
+            test_value(col2.real(i,j), val, 1e-6, \
+                       "Test real() method for row "+gammalib::str(i)+" and element "+gammalib::str(j)); \
+            test_value(col2.integer(i,j), int(val), 1e-6, \
+                       "Test integer() method for row "+gammalib::str(i)+" and element "+gammalib::str(j)); \
+            test_assert((col2.string(i,j) == gammalib::str(val)), \
+                        "Test string() method for row "+gammalib::str(i)+" and element "+gammalib::str(j), \
+                        col2.string(i,j)+" is not "+gammalib::str(val)); \
+        } \
+    }
+#define TEST_VARTABLE \
+    for (int i = 0; i < nrows; ++i) { \
+        col3.elements(i,i+1); \
+        for (int j = 0; j < i+1; ++j) { \
+            col3(i,j) = double(i)*2.3 + double(j)*11.7 + 0.95; \
+        } \
+    } \
+    for (int i = 0; i < nrows; ++i) { \
+        for (int j = 0; j < i+1; ++j) { \
+            double val = double(i)*2.3 + double(j)*11.7 + 0.95; \
+            test_value(col3(i,j), val, 1e-6, \
+                       "Test access operator row "+gammalib::str(i)+" and element "+gammalib::str(j)); \
+            test_value(col3.real(i,j), val, 1e-6, \
+                       "Test real() method for row "+gammalib::str(i)+" and element "+gammalib::str(j)); \
+            test_value(col3.integer(i,j), int(val), 1e-6, \
+                       "Test integer() method for row "+gammalib::str(i)+" and element "+gammalib::str(j)); \
+            test_assert((col3.string(i,j) == gammalib::str(val)), \
+                        "Test string() method for row "+gammalib::str(i)+" and element "+gammalib::str(j), \
+                        col3.string(i,j)+" is not "+gammalib::str(val)); \
+        } \
+    }
 #define TEST_VARTABLE_INT \
     for (int i = 0; i < nrows; ++i) { \
         col3.elements(i,i+1); \
@@ -232,48 +297,50 @@
                         col3.string(i,j)+" is not "+gammalib::str(val)); \
         } \
     }
-#define TEST_TABLE2_BOOL \
+#define TEST_VARTABLE_BOOL \
     for (int i = 0; i < nrows; ++i) { \
-        for (int j = 0; j < nvec; ++j) { \
-            col2(i,j) = (i % 2) * (j % 2); \
+        col3.elements(i,i+1); \
+        for (int j = 0; j < i+1; ++j) { \
+            col3(i,j) = (i % 2) * (j % 2); \
         } \
     } \
     for (int i = 0; i < nrows; ++i) { \
-        for (int j = 0; j < nvec; ++j) { \
+        for (int j = 0; j < i+1; ++j) { \
             int         ival = ((i % 2) * (j % 2)); \
             std::string sval = ((i % 2) * (j % 2)) ? "T" : "F"; \
-            test_assert((col2(i,j) == ival), \
+            test_assert((col3(i,j) == ival), \
                         "Test access operator row "+gammalib::str(i)+" and element "+gammalib::str(j), \
-                        gammalib::str(col2(i,j))+" is not "+gammalib::str(ival)); \
-            test_assert((col2.real(i,j) == double(ival)), \
+                        gammalib::str(col3(i,j))+" is not "+gammalib::str(ival)); \
+            test_assert((col3.real(i,j) == double(ival)), \
                         "Test real() method for row "+gammalib::str(i)+" and element "+gammalib::str(j), \
-                        gammalib::str(col2.real(i,j))+" is not "+gammalib::str(double(ival))); \
-            test_assert((col2.integer(i,j) == int(ival)), \
+                        gammalib::str(col3.real(i,j))+" is not "+gammalib::str(double(ival))); \
+            test_assert((col3.integer(i,j) == int(ival)), \
                         "Test integer() method for row "+gammalib::str(i)+" and element "+gammalib::str(j), \
-                        gammalib::str(col2.integer(i,j))+" is not "+gammalib::str(int(ival))); \
-            test_assert((col2.string(i,j) == gammalib::str(ival) || col2.string(i,j) == sval), \
+                        gammalib::str(col3.integer(i,j))+" is not "+gammalib::str(int(ival))); \
+            test_assert((col3.string(i,j) == gammalib::str(ival) || col3.string(i,j) == sval), \
                         "Test string() method for row "+gammalib::str(i)+" and element "+gammalib::str(j), \
-                        col2.string(i,j)+" is not "+gammalib::str(ival)+" or "+sval); \
+                        col3.string(i,j)+" is not "+gammalib::str(ival)+" or "+sval); \
         } \
     }
-#define TEST_TABLE2_STRING \
+#define TEST_VARTABLE_STRING \
     for (int i = 0; i < nrows; ++i) { \
-        for (int j = 0; j < nvec; ++j) { \
-            col2(i,j) = gammalib::str(double(i)*2.3 + double(j)*11.7 + 0.95); \
+        col3.elements(i,i+1); \
+        for (int j = 0; j < i+1; ++j) { \
+            col3(i,j) = gammalib::str(double(i)*2.3 + double(j)*11.7 + 0.95); \
         } \
     } \
     for (int i = 0; i < nrows; ++i) { \
-        for (int j = 0; j < nvec; ++j) { \
+        for (int j = 0; j < i+1; ++j) { \
             double val = double(i)*2.3 + double(j)*11.7 + 0.95; \
-            test_value(gammalib::todouble(col2(i,j)), val, 1e-6, \
+            test_value(gammalib::todouble(col3(i,j)), val, 1e-6, \
                        "Test access operator row "+gammalib::str(i)+" and element "+gammalib::str(j)); \
-            test_value(col2.real(i,j), val, 1e-6, \
+            test_value(col3.real(i,j), val, 1e-6, \
                        "Test real() method for row "+gammalib::str(i)+" and element "+gammalib::str(j)); \
-            test_value(col2.integer(i,j), int(val), 1e-6, \
+            test_value(col3.integer(i,j), int(val), 1e-6, \
                        "Test integer() method for row "+gammalib::str(i)+" and element "+gammalib::str(j)); \
-            test_assert((col2.string(i,j) == gammalib::str(val)), \
+            test_assert((col3.string(i,j) == gammalib::str(val)), \
                         "Test string() method for row "+gammalib::str(i)+" and element "+gammalib::str(j), \
-                        col2.string(i,j)+" is not "+gammalib::str(val)); \
+                        col3.string(i,j)+" is not "+gammalib::str(val)); \
         } \
     }
 #define TEST_WRITE_TABLES \
@@ -284,6 +351,7 @@
         GFitsBinTable table = GFitsBinTable(nrows); \
         table.append_column(col1); \
         table.insert_column(1, col2); \
+        table.append_column(col3); \
         fits.append(table); \
         fits.save(); \
         fits.close(); \
@@ -945,6 +1013,10 @@ void TestGFits::test_bintable_double(void)
     GFitsTableDoubleCol col2("DOUBLE10", nrows, nvec);
     TEST_TABLE2;
+    // Test variable-length column table
+    GFitsTableDoubleCol col3("DOUBLEVAR", nrows, -1);
+    TEST_VARTABLE;
+
     // Write tables
     TEST_WRITE_TABLES;
@@ -995,6 +1067,10 @@ void TestGFits::test_bintable_float(void)
     GFitsTableFloatCol col2("FLOAT10", nrows, nvec);
     TEST_TABLE2;
+    // Test variable-length column table
+    GFitsTableFloatCol col3("FLOATVAR", nrows, -1);
+    TEST_VARTABLE;
+
     // Write tables
     TEST_WRITE_TABLES;
@@ -1101,6 +1177,10 @@ void TestGFits::test_bintable_short(void)
     GFitsTableUShortCol col2("USHORT10", nrows, nvec);
     TEST_TABLE2_INT;
+    // Test variable-length column table
+    GFitsTableUShortCol col3("USHORTVAR", nrows, -1);
+    TEST_VARTABLE_INT;
+
     // Write tables
     TEST_WRITE_TABLES;
@@ -1152,6 +1232,10 @@ void TestGFits::test_bintable_long(void)
     GFitsTableLongCol col2("LONG10", nrows, nvec);
     TEST_TABLE2_INT;
+    // Test variable-length column table
+    GFitsTableLongCol col3("LONGVAR", nrows, -1);
+    TEST_VARTABLE_INT;
+
     // Write tables
     TEST_WRITE_TABLES;
@@ -1203,6 +1287,10 @@ void TestGFits::test_bintable_longlong(void)
     GFitsTableLongLongCol col2("LONGLONG10", nrows, nvec);
     TEST_TABLE2_INT;
+    // Test variable-length column table
+    GFitsTableLongLongCol col3("LONGLONGVAR", nrows, -1);
+    TEST_VARTABLE_INT;
+
     // Write tables
     TEST_WRITE_TABLES;
@@ -1254,6 +1342,10 @@ void TestGFits::test_bintable_ulong(void)
     GFitsTableULongCol col2("ULONG10", nrows, nvec);
     TEST_TABLE2_INT;
+    // Test variable-length column table
+    GFitsTableULongCol col3("ULONGVAR", nrows, -1);
+    TEST_VARTABLE_INT;
+
     // Write tables
     TEST_WRITE_TABLES;
@@ -1305,6 +1397,11 @@ void TestGFits::test_bintable_string(void)
     GFitsTableStringCol col2("STRING10", nrows, 20, nvec);
     TEST_TABLE2_STRING;
+    // Test variable-length column table
+    GFitsTableStringCol col3("STRINGVAR", nrows, 1);
+    //GFitsTableStringCol col3("STRINGVAR", nrows, -1);
+    //TEST_VARTABLE_STRING;
+
     // Write tables
     TEST_WRITE_TABLES;
@@ -1356,6 +1453,10 @@ void TestGFits::test_bintable_logical(void)
     GFitsTableBoolCol col2("LOGICAL10", nrows, nvec);
     TEST_TABLE2_BOOL;
+    // Test variable-length column table
+    GFitsTableBoolCol col3("LOGICALVAR", nrows, -1);
+    TEST_VARTABLE_BOOL;
+
     // Write tables
     TEST_WRITE_TABLES;
@@ -1407,6 +1508,10 @@ void TestGFits::test_bintable_bit(void)
     GFitsTableBitCol col2("BIT10", nrows, nvec);
     TEST_TABLE2_BOOL;
+    // Test variable-length column table
+    GFitsTableBitCol col3("BITVAR", nrows, -1);
+    //TEST_VARTABLE_BOOL;
+
     // Write tables
     TEST_WRITE_TABLES;