Since the discovery of X-ray diffraction in 1913 over 100 000 different inorganic substances (also called compounds or phases) have been structurally characterized. The aim of this reference work is to provide the researcher with a comprehensive compilation of all up to now crystallographically identified inorganic substances in only one volume. All data have been processed and critically evaluated by the "Pauling File" editorial team using a unique software package. Each substance is represented in a single row containing the following information: - Alphabetically sorted chemical elements - Standardized chemical formula - Prototype (structure type): type-defining compound, Pearson symbol, space group number - Hermann-Mauguin symbol for the space group - Unit cell dimensions- Color - Density calculated from the chemical formula and unit cell dimensions - Code indicating the level of structural studies (atom coordinates refined; no atom coordinates refined, but prototype assigned; only cell parameters determined) - Reference number

TYPIX is a critical compilation of crystallographic data prepared by E. Parthe at the University of Geneva. It contains over 3200 compounds representative of the structure types found among inorganic compounds. This work contains condensed crystal chemical information about individual structure types as well as an extensive chapter on the crystal chemistry of particular structure families. The aim of the compilation is to clarify and classify published data for intermetallic and other inorganic structures (types found exclusively with halides or oxides are only included for a few special cases). It provides a tool for additional crystal chemical studies and the development of new materials."

The crystaLLographer usuaLLy needs, as a compLement to his experimentaL work, a smaLL structure data compiLation. My first, some 25 years ago, was a hand-written List of structure types containing space group, unit ceLL data and positionaL atom coordinates. Some 20 years ago, when computers had become a more easiLy accessibLe tooL, a smaLL computer test fiLe was created with the help of Dr. Jan Portheine, which was LabeLLed TYPIX. Assisted by Dr. KLaus Yvon I inserted in the fiLe the somewhat more than 200 inorganic crystaL structure types which were of interest for our research or with which I was famiLiar from my previous experimentaL crystaL structure studies on intermetalLics and tetrahedraL structure compounds. We soon stopped our work on TYPIX because we reaLized that simpLy storing structure data copied from the Literature did not serve our finaL objective. I had, for exampLe, Listed the structures of certain isotypic compounds as separate distinct structure types because, due to a different setting or description given in the originaL Literature, I missed their isotypism. In other cases, with good Luck, I found the isotypism and succeeded in correctLy transforming one description to the other but then did not know which of the different but equivaLent descriptions I shouLd retain in my data coLLection.