diff --git a/applications/test/CompactIOList/Test-CompactIOList.C b/applications/test/CompactIOList/Test-CompactIOList.C
index 80b8cb4a90e1a482bd685ad4beeb28987c5e5a3a..9e5b40e9b14e9fa41666a6e962b0f6ff913a1db9 100644
--- a/applications/test/CompactIOList/Test-CompactIOList.C
+++ b/applications/test/CompactIOList/Test-CompactIOList.C
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
+    Copyright (C) 2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -48,8 +49,8 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
     #include "setRootCase.H"
     #include "createTime.H"
 
-    IOstream::streamFormat format=IOstream::BINARY;
-    // IOstream::streamFormat format=IOstream::ASCII;
+    IOstream::streamFormat format = IOstream::BINARY;
+    // IOstream::streamFormat format = IOstream::ASCII;
 
     const label size = 20000000;
 
@@ -84,12 +85,9 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
             << runTime.cpuTimeIncrement() << " s" << nl << endl;
 
 
-        // Write binary
         faces2.writeObject
         (
-            format,
-            IOstream::currentVersion,
-            IOstream::UNCOMPRESSED,
+            IOstreamOption(format),
             true
         );
 
@@ -147,12 +145,9 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
             << runTime.cpuTimeIncrement() << " s" << nl << endl;
 
 
-        // Write binary
         faces2.writeObject
         (
-            format,
-            IOstream::currentVersion,
-            IOstream::UNCOMPRESSED,
+            IOstreamOption(format),
             true
         );
 
diff --git a/applications/utilities/mesh/manipulation/stitchMesh/stitchMesh.C b/applications/utilities/mesh/manipulation/stitchMesh/stitchMesh.C
index 7ad7a637c72f7b910f251c951137e87e1fcb581f..82ca4d6183b95c82980f71ba9f7662bdc88f082b 100644
--- a/applications/utilities/mesh/manipulation/stitchMesh/stitchMesh.C
+++ b/applications/utilities/mesh/manipulation/stitchMesh/stitchMesh.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2017 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2017-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -643,9 +643,11 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
             (
                 !runTime.objectRegistry::writeObject
                 (
-                    runTime.writeFormat(),
-                    IOstream::currentVersion,
-                    runTime.writeCompression(),
+                    IOstreamOption
+                    (
+                        runTime.writeFormat(),
+                        runTime.writeCompression()
+                    ),
                     true
                 )
             )
diff --git a/applications/utilities/miscellaneous/foamFormatConvert/foamFormatConvert.C b/applications/utilities/miscellaneous/foamFormatConvert/foamFormatConvert.C
index c8cf9b6a50691a4750d9d1e756651903dd0212f5..f9e5ccebf457802267cd4d90b77fe03d4d60ab4e 100644
--- a/applications/utilities/miscellaneous/foamFormatConvert/foamFormatConvert.C
+++ b/applications/utilities/miscellaneous/foamFormatConvert/foamFormatConvert.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2016-2018 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2016-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -157,12 +157,10 @@ bool writeZones
 
         Info<< "        Writing " << name << endl;
 
-        // Force writing as ascii
+        // Force writing as ASCII
         writeOk = meshObject.regIOobject::writeObject
         (
-            IOstream::ASCII,
-            IOstream::currentVersion,
-            compression,
+            IOstreamOption(IOstream::ASCII, compression),
             true
         );
     }
@@ -471,9 +469,11 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
                 parcels.writeObject
                 (
-                    runTime.writeFormat(),
-                    IOstream::currentVersion,
-                    runTime.writeCompression(),
+                    IOstreamOption
+                    (
+                        runTime.writeFormat(),
+                        runTime.writeCompression()
+                    ),
                     parcels.size()
                 );
 
diff --git a/applications/utilities/parallelProcessing/redistributePar/unmappedPassivePositionParticleCloud.H b/applications/utilities/parallelProcessing/redistributePar/unmappedPassivePositionParticleCloud.H
index f15e00e11a80c7b072f535cb2858f7007f7a4acb..74cc738f15a10733ebb41105b8a49a6e8e9f3e70 100644
--- a/applications/utilities/parallelProcessing/redistributePar/unmappedPassivePositionParticleCloud.H
+++ b/applications/utilities/parallelProcessing/redistributePar/unmappedPassivePositionParticleCloud.H
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2015 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2019-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -93,14 +93,8 @@ public:
         virtual void autoMap(const mapPolyMesh&)
         {}
 
-        //- Switch off writing the objects
-        virtual bool writeObject
-        (
-            IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-            IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-            IOstream::compressionType cmp,
-            const bool valid
-        ) const
+        //- Disable writing objects
+        virtual bool writeObject(IOstreamOption, const bool valid) const
         {
             return true;
         }
diff --git a/applications/utilities/preProcessing/changeDictionary/changeDictionary.C b/applications/utilities/preProcessing/changeDictionary/changeDictionary.C
index d7aa8fea6106a611d1a79dd0efdc6e8fa89e073d..28e784339ddd9d5e333e319f31197f9da9c0d018 100644
--- a/applications/utilities/preProcessing/changeDictionary/changeDictionary.C
+++ b/applications/utilities/preProcessing/changeDictionary/changeDictionary.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2016 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2016-2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2016-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -660,9 +660,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
                 Info<< "Writing modified " << fieldName << endl;
                 dictList.writeObject
                 (
-                    runTime.writeFormat(),
-                    IOstream::currentVersion,
-                    IOstream::UNCOMPRESSED,
+                    IOstreamOption(runTime.writeFormat()),
                     true
                 );
             }
diff --git a/applications/utilities/preProcessing/createZeroDirectory/createZeroDirectory.C b/applications/utilities/preProcessing/createZeroDirectory/createZeroDirectory.C
index b17b830497ac5ab07f085fa807e78248ec962905..fc70e5ccdb1cba523750059128248e4b51e34e8b 100644
--- a/applications/utilities/preProcessing/createZeroDirectory/createZeroDirectory.C
+++ b/applications/utilities/preProcessing/createZeroDirectory/createZeroDirectory.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2015 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2015-2017 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2015-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -199,9 +199,7 @@ void createFieldFiles
 
         fieldOut.regIOobject::writeObject
         (
-            IOstream::ASCII,
-            IOstream::currentVersion,
-            IOstream::UNCOMPRESSED,
+            IOstreamOption(IOstream::ASCII),
             true
         );
     }
diff --git a/applications/utilities/preProcessing/optimisation/writeActiveDesignVariables/writeActiveDesignVariables.C b/applications/utilities/preProcessing/optimisation/writeActiveDesignVariables/writeActiveDesignVariables.C
index 2eae081bb0f18aa3acc82fa6c647cd78b4b6dc11..0ea8df485df7413e680ee5c80dcd578e40f35626 100644
--- a/applications/utilities/preProcessing/optimisation/writeActiveDesignVariables/writeActiveDesignVariables.C
+++ b/applications/utilities/preProcessing/optimisation/writeActiveDesignVariables/writeActiveDesignVariables.C
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2007-2019 PCOpt/NTUA
     Copyright (C) 2013-2019 FOSS GP
-    Copyright (C) 2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2019-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -95,9 +95,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
     // Write modified dictionary
     optDict.regIOobject::writeObject
     (
-        IOstream::ASCII,
-        IOstream::currentVersion,
-        IOstream::UNCOMPRESSED,
+        IOstreamOption(IOstream::ASCII),
         true
     );
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjects/CompactIOField/CompactIOField.C b/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjects/CompactIOField/CompactIOField.C
index c7ab9b7ac9a5bd81ada0429e31945926fc7987eb..027ccc53eaf472730daa11631bf72ebdf360e9fc 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjects/CompactIOField/CompactIOField.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjects/CompactIOField/CompactIOField.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2018 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2018-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -175,28 +175,26 @@ Foam::CompactIOField<T, BaseType>::CompactIOField
 template<class T, class BaseType>
 bool Foam::CompactIOField<T, BaseType>::writeObject
 (
-    IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-    IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+    IOstreamOption streamOpt,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
-    if (fmt == IOstream::ASCII)
+    if (streamOpt.format() == IOstream::ASCII)
     {
         // Change type to be non-compact format type
         const word oldTypeName(typeName);
 
         const_cast<word&>(typeName) = IOField<T>::typeName;
 
-        bool good = regIOobject::writeObject(IOstream::ASCII, ver, cmp, valid);
+        bool good = regIOobject::writeObject(streamOpt, valid);
 
-        // Change type back
+        // Restore type
         const_cast<word&>(typeName) = oldTypeName;
 
         return good;
     }
 
-    return regIOobject::writeObject(fmt, ver, cmp, valid);
+    return regIOobject::writeObject(streamOpt, valid);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjects/CompactIOField/CompactIOField.H b/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjects/CompactIOField/CompactIOField.H
index c1b0929250da8273a6c6bb354a4bc82c2d2bd144..09b6fb943fe3921a5ca8a6344c74934414b66036 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjects/CompactIOField/CompactIOField.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjects/CompactIOField/CompactIOField.H
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
+    Copyright (C) 2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -112,11 +113,10 @@ public:
 
     // Member Functions
 
+        //- Write using stream options
         virtual bool writeObject
         (
-            IOstream::streamFormat,
-            IOstream::versionNumber,
-            IOstream::compressionType,
+            IOstreamOption streamOpt,
             const bool valid
         ) const;
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjects/CompactIOList/CompactIOList.C b/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjects/CompactIOList/CompactIOList.C
index cfd3507fca2653df6cae956057c9c8cf37c59df8..a614641777d9e5f44a9ff8b9a22b8eb2c6b196df 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjects/CompactIOList/CompactIOList.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjects/CompactIOList/CompactIOList.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2015-2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2015-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -168,21 +168,17 @@ Foam::CompactIOList<T, BaseType>::CompactIOList
 template<class T, class BaseType>
 bool Foam::CompactIOList<T, BaseType>::writeObject
 (
-    IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-    IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+    IOstreamOption streamOpt,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
-    bool nonCompact = false;
-
-    if (fmt == IOstream::ASCII)
-    {
-        nonCompact = true;
-    }
-    else if (overflows())
+    if
+    (
+        streamOpt.format() == IOstream::BINARY
+     && overflows()
+    )
     {
-        nonCompact = true;
+        streamOpt.format(IOstream::ASCII);
 
         WarningInFunction
             << "Overall number of elements of CompactIOList of size "
@@ -190,14 +186,14 @@ bool Foam::CompactIOList<T, BaseType>::writeObject
             << nl << "    Switching to ascii writing" << endl;
     }
 
-    if (nonCompact)
+    if (streamOpt.format() == IOstream::ASCII)
     {
-        // Change to non-compact type
+        // Change type to be non-compact format type
         const word oldTypeName(typeName);
 
         const_cast<word&>(typeName) = IOList<T>::typeName;
 
-        bool good = regIOobject::writeObject(IOstream::ASCII, ver, cmp, valid);
+        bool good = regIOobject::writeObject(streamOpt, valid);
 
         // Change type back
         const_cast<word&>(typeName) = oldTypeName;
@@ -205,7 +201,7 @@ bool Foam::CompactIOList<T, BaseType>::writeObject
         return good;
     }
 
-    return regIOobject::writeObject(fmt, ver, cmp, valid);
+    return regIOobject::writeObject(streamOpt, valid);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjects/CompactIOList/CompactIOList.H b/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjects/CompactIOList/CompactIOList.H
index 66630ee1b3ad0ddbf1862681e3902a7e280cd7fe..555114418bb13fb3eaf8a023446df5b3845e940d 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjects/CompactIOList/CompactIOList.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjects/CompactIOList/CompactIOList.H
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2018 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2018-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -114,11 +114,10 @@ public:
 
     // Member Functions
 
+        //- Write using stream options. Checks for overflow in binary
         virtual bool writeObject
         (
-            IOstream::streamFormat,
-            IOstream::versionNumber,
-            IOstream::compressionType,
+            IOstreamOption streamOpt,
             const bool valid
         ) const;
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjects/decomposedBlockData/decomposedBlockData.C b/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjects/decomposedBlockData/decomposedBlockData.C
index 66653071d32a976979c179cbb3e772bb81db439d..24e190d79e654a25ed1a0ad0c2aa4d39abdb95e6 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjects/decomposedBlockData/decomposedBlockData.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjects/decomposedBlockData/decomposedBlockData.C
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2017-2018 OpenFOAM Foundation
+    Copyright (C) 2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -30,7 +31,6 @@ License
 #include "IPstream.H"
 #include "PstreamBuffers.H"
 #include "Fstream.H"
-#include "StringStream.H"
 #include "dictionary.H"
 #include "objectRegistry.H"
 #include "SubList.H"
@@ -160,12 +160,6 @@ Foam::decomposedBlockData::decomposedBlockData
 }
 
 
-// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Destructor  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-
-Foam::decomposedBlockData::~decomposedBlockData()
-{}
-
-
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Members Functions * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
 bool Foam::decomposedBlockData::readMasterHeader(IOobject& io, Istream& is)
@@ -181,15 +175,11 @@ bool Foam::decomposedBlockData::readMasterHeader(IOobject& io, Istream& is)
 
     List<char> data(is);
     is.fatalCheck("read(Istream&) : reading entry");
-    IListStream str
-    (
-        std::move(data),
-        IOstream::ASCII,
-        IOstream::currentVersion,
-        is.name()
-    );
 
-    return io.readHeader(str);
+    UIListStream headerStream(data);
+    headerStream.name() = is.name();
+
+    return io.readHeader(headerStream);
 }
 
 
@@ -254,24 +244,15 @@ Foam::autoPtr<Foam::ISstream> Foam::decomposedBlockData::readBlock
 
     is.fatalCheck("read(Istream&)");
 
-    List<char> data;
     autoPtr<ISstream> realIsPtr;
 
     if (blocki == 0)
     {
-        is >> data;
+        List<char> data(is);
         is.fatalCheck("read(Istream&) : reading entry");
 
-        realIsPtr.reset
-        (
-            new IListStream
-            (
-                std::move(data),
-                IOstream::ASCII,
-                IOstream::currentVersion,
-                is.name()
-            )
-        );
+        realIsPtr.reset(new IListStream(std::move(data)));
+        realIsPtr->name() = is.name();
 
         // Read header
         if (!headerIO.readHeader(realIsPtr()))
@@ -284,7 +265,7 @@ Foam::autoPtr<Foam::ISstream> Foam::decomposedBlockData::readBlock
     else
     {
         // Read master for header
-        is >> data;
+        List<char> data(is);
         is.fatalCheck("read(Istream&) : reading entry");
 
         IOstream::versionNumber ver(IOstream::currentVersion);
@@ -292,13 +273,7 @@ Foam::autoPtr<Foam::ISstream> Foam::decomposedBlockData::readBlock
         unsigned labelByteSize;
         unsigned scalarByteSize;
         {
-            UIListStream headerStream
-            (
-                data,
-                IOstream::ASCII,
-                IOstream::currentVersion,
-                is.name()
-            );
+            UIListStream headerStream(data);
 
             // Read header
             if (!headerIO.readHeader(headerStream))
@@ -315,20 +290,12 @@ Foam::autoPtr<Foam::ISstream> Foam::decomposedBlockData::readBlock
 
         for (label i = 1; i < blocki+1; i++)
         {
-            // Read data, override old data
+            // Read and discard data, only retain the last one
             is >> data;
             is.fatalCheck("read(Istream&) : reading entry");
         }
-        realIsPtr.reset
-        (
-            new IListStream
-            (
-                std::move(data),
-                IOstream::ASCII,
-                IOstream::currentVersion,
-                is.name()
-            )
-        );
+        realIsPtr.reset(new IListStream(std::move(data)));
+        realIsPtr->name() = is.name();
 
         // Apply master stream settings to realIsPtr
         realIsPtr().format(fmt);
@@ -336,6 +303,7 @@ Foam::autoPtr<Foam::ISstream> Foam::decomposedBlockData::readBlock
         realIsPtr().setLabelByteSize(labelByteSize);
         realIsPtr().setScalarByteSize(scalarByteSize);
     }
+
     return realIsPtr;
 }
 
@@ -358,22 +326,6 @@ bool Foam::decomposedBlockData::readBlocks
 
     bool ok = false;
 
-
-
-    //// Scatter master header info
-    //string ver;
-    //unsigned labelByteSize;
-    //unsigned scalarByteSize;
-    //if (UPstream::master(comm))
-    //{
-    //    ver = isPtr().version().str();
-    //    labelByteSize = isPtr().labelByteSize();
-    //    scalarByteSize = isPtr().scalarByteSize();
-    //}
-    //Pstream::scatter(ver); //,  Pstream::msgType(), comm);
-    //Pstream::scatter(labelByteSize); //,  Pstream::msgType(), comm);
-    //Pstream::scatter(scalarByteSize); //,  Pstream::msgType(), comm);
-
     if (commsType == UPstream::commsTypes::scheduled)
     {
         if (UPstream::master(comm))
@@ -509,17 +461,8 @@ Foam::autoPtr<Foam::ISstream> Foam::decomposedBlockData::readBlocks
                 is >> data;
                 is.fatalCheck("read(Istream&) : reading entry");
 
-                realIsPtr.reset
-                (
-                    new IListStream
-                    (
-                        std::move(data),
-                        IOstream::ASCII,
-                        IOstream::currentVersion,
-                        fName
-                    )
-                );
-
+                realIsPtr.reset(new IListStream(std::move(data)));
+                realIsPtr->name() = fName;
 
                 // Read header
                 if (!headerIO.readHeader(realIsPtr()))
@@ -566,16 +509,8 @@ Foam::autoPtr<Foam::ISstream> Foam::decomposedBlockData::readBlocks
             );
             is >> data;
 
-            realIsPtr.reset
-            (
-                new IListStream
-                (
-                    std::move(data),
-                    IOstream::ASCII,
-                    IOstream::currentVersion,
-                    fName
-                )
-            );
+            realIsPtr.reset(new IListStream(std::move(data)));
+            realIsPtr->name() = fName;
         }
     }
     else
@@ -597,16 +532,8 @@ Foam::autoPtr<Foam::ISstream> Foam::decomposedBlockData::readBlocks
                 is >> data;
                 is.fatalCheck("read(Istream&) : reading entry");
 
-                realIsPtr.reset
-                (
-                    new IListStream
-                    (
-                        std::move(data),
-                        IOstream::ASCII,
-                        IOstream::currentVersion,
-                        fName
-                    )
-                );
+                realIsPtr.reset(new IListStream(std::move(data)));
+                realIsPtr->name() = fName;
 
                 // Read header
                 if (!headerIO.readHeader(realIsPtr()))
@@ -643,16 +570,8 @@ Foam::autoPtr<Foam::ISstream> Foam::decomposedBlockData::readBlocks
             UIPstream is(UPstream::masterNo(), pBufs);
             is >> data;
 
-            realIsPtr.reset
-            (
-                new IListStream
-                (
-                    std::move(data),
-                    IOstream::ASCII,
-                    IOstream::currentVersion,
-                    fName
-                )
-            );
+            realIsPtr.reset(new IListStream(std::move(data)));
+            realIsPtr->name() = fName;
         }
     }
 
@@ -661,26 +580,24 @@ Foam::autoPtr<Foam::ISstream> Foam::decomposedBlockData::readBlocks
     //- Set stream properties from realIsPtr on master
 
     // Scatter master header info
-    string ver;
-    string format;
+    string versionString;
+    label formatValue;
     unsigned labelByteSize;
     unsigned scalarByteSize;
     if (UPstream::master(comm))
     {
-        ver = realIsPtr().version().str();
-        OStringStream os;
-        os << realIsPtr().format();
-        format = os.str();
+        versionString = realIsPtr().version().str();
+        formatValue = static_cast<label>(realIsPtr().format());
         labelByteSize = realIsPtr().labelByteSize();
         scalarByteSize = realIsPtr().scalarByteSize();
     }
-    Pstream::scatter(ver); //,  Pstream::msgType(), comm);
-    Pstream::scatter(format); //,  Pstream::msgType(), comm);
+    Pstream::scatter(versionString); //,  Pstream::msgType(), comm);
+    Pstream::scatter(formatValue); //,  Pstream::msgType(), comm);
     Pstream::scatter(labelByteSize); //,  Pstream::msgType(), comm);
     Pstream::scatter(scalarByteSize); //,  Pstream::msgType(), comm);
 
-    realIsPtr().version(IOstream::versionNumber(ver));
-    realIsPtr().format(format);
+    realIsPtr().version(IOstream::versionNumber(versionString));
+    realIsPtr().format(IOstream::streamFormat(formatValue));
     realIsPtr().setLabelByteSize(labelByteSize);
     realIsPtr().setScalarByteSize(scalarByteSize);
 
@@ -1072,30 +989,17 @@ bool Foam::decomposedBlockData::writeData(Ostream& os) const
     // Re-read my own data to find out the header information
     if (Pstream::master(comm_))
     {
-        UIListStream is
-        (
-            data,
-            IOstream::ASCII,
-            IOstream::currentVersion,
-            name()
-        );
-        io.readHeader(is);
+        UIListStream headerStream(data);
+        io.readHeader(headerStream);
     }
 
     // Scatter header information
 
-    // version
     string versionString(os.version().str());
     Pstream::scatter(versionString, Pstream::msgType(), comm_);
 
-    // stream
-    string formatString;
-    {
-        OStringStream os;
-        os << os.format();
-        formatString  = os.str();
-        Pstream::scatter(formatString, Pstream::msgType(), comm_);
-    }
+    label formatValue(os.format());
+    Pstream::scatter(formatValue, Pstream::msgType(), comm_);
 
     //word masterName(name());
     //Pstream::scatter(masterName, Pstream::msgType(), comm_);
@@ -1114,7 +1018,7 @@ bool Foam::decomposedBlockData::writeData(Ostream& os) const
         (
             os,
             IOstream::versionNumber(versionString),
-            IOstream::formatEnum(formatString),
+            IOstream::streamFormat(formatValue),
             io.headerClassName(),
             io.note(),
             masterLocation,
@@ -1122,12 +1026,18 @@ bool Foam::decomposedBlockData::writeData(Ostream& os) const
         );
     }
 
-    string str
-    (
-        reinterpret_cast<const char*>(data.cbegin()),
-        data.byteSize()
-    );
-    os.writeQuoted(str, false);
+    // Write the character data
+    if (isA<OFstream>(os))
+    {
+        // Serial file output - can use writeRaw()
+        os.writeRaw(data.cdata(), data.byteSize());
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        // Other cases are less fortunate, and no std::string_view
+        std::string str(data.cdata(), data.byteSize());
+        os.writeQuoted(str, false);
+    }
 
     if (!Pstream::master(comm_))
     {
@@ -1140,18 +1050,19 @@ bool Foam::decomposedBlockData::writeData(Ostream& os) const
 
 bool Foam::decomposedBlockData::writeObject
 (
-    IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-    IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+    IOstreamOption streamOpt,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
+    // Always write BINARY
+    streamOpt.format(IOstream::BINARY);
+
     autoPtr<OSstream> osPtr;
     if (UPstream::master(comm_))
     {
-        // Note: always write binary. These are strings so readable
-        //       anyway. They have already be tokenised on the sending side.
-        osPtr.reset(new OFstream(objectPath(), IOstream::BINARY, ver, cmp));
+        // Note: always write binary. These are strings so readable anyway.
+        //       They have already be tokenised on the sending side.
+        osPtr.reset(new OFstream(objectPath(), streamOpt));
         IOobject::writeHeader(osPtr());
     }
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjects/decomposedBlockData/decomposedBlockData.H b/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjects/decomposedBlockData/decomposedBlockData.H
index a0110e747d24a579368d7307b8d06907528cd6d5..8ce5aeccba73fa30713a0a57c7a8ee5da91dfb21 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjects/decomposedBlockData/decomposedBlockData.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjects/decomposedBlockData/decomposedBlockData.H
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2017-2018 OpenFOAM Foundation
+    Copyright (C) 2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -57,7 +58,7 @@ class decomposedBlockData
 {
 protected:
 
-    // Protected data
+    // Protected Data
 
         //- Type to use for gather
         const UPstream::commsTypes commsType_;
@@ -90,6 +91,7 @@ protected:
 
 public:
 
+    //- Declare type-name, virtual type (with debug switch)
     TypeName("decomposedBlockData");
 
 
@@ -123,7 +125,7 @@ public:
 
 
     //- Destructor
-    virtual ~decomposedBlockData();
+    virtual ~decomposedBlockData() = default;
 
 
     // Member functions
@@ -133,14 +135,12 @@ public:
 
         //- Write separated content. Assumes content is the serialised data
         //  and that the master data contains a header
-        virtual bool writeData(Ostream&) const;
+        virtual bool writeData(Ostream& os) const;
 
-        //- Write using given format, version and compression
+        //- Write using stream options
         virtual bool writeObject
         (
-            IOstream::streamFormat,
-            IOstream::versionNumber,
-            IOstream::compressionType,
+            IOstreamOption streamOpt,
             const bool valid
         ) const;
 
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ public:
         );
 
         //- Detect number of blocks in a file
-        static label numBlocks(const fileName&);
+        static label numBlocks(const fileName& fName);
 };
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/db/Time/Time.H b/src/OpenFOAM/db/Time/Time.H
index 9d775e6f0fb42ea8d9f4af61573e980b4230c1e3..ccfd02a6d60fb2f13972f5b3b422276423f557c0 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/db/Time/Time.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/db/Time/Time.H
@@ -392,12 +392,10 @@ public:
             //- Write time dictionary to the \<time\>/uniform directory
             virtual bool writeTimeDict() const;
 
-            //- Write using given format, version and compression
+            //- Write using stream options
             virtual bool writeObject
             (
-                IOstream::streamFormat,
-                IOstream::versionNumber,
-                IOstream::compressionType,
+                IOstreamOption streamOpt,
                 const bool valid
             ) const;
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/db/Time/TimeIO.C b/src/OpenFOAM/db/Time/TimeIO.C
index 177733f53be4536a5337ca29e96a99da90704af0..989e6a766859b53dc774a3942cb49fc7e6b7836f 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/db/Time/TimeIO.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/db/Time/TimeIO.C
@@ -524,9 +524,7 @@ bool Foam::Time::writeTimeDict() const
 
     return timeDict.regIOobject::writeObject
     (
-        IOstream::ASCII,
-        IOstream::currentVersion,
-        IOstream::UNCOMPRESSED,
+        IOstreamOption(IOstream::ASCII),
         true
     );
 }
@@ -534,9 +532,7 @@ bool Foam::Time::writeTimeDict() const
 
 bool Foam::Time::writeObject
 (
-    IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-    IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+    IOstreamOption streamOpt,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
@@ -546,7 +542,7 @@ bool Foam::Time::writeObject
 
         if (writeOK)
         {
-            writeOK = objectRegistry::writeObject(fmt, ver, cmp, valid);
+            writeOK = objectRegistry::writeObject(streamOpt, valid);
         }
 
         if (writeOK)
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/db/functionObjects/functionObjectList/functionObjectList.C b/src/OpenFOAM/db/functionObjects/functionObjectList/functionObjectList.C
index 7bb5a0f2928edf20b56015a8e1b9cf008632874f..7a5d05e43cee3fde133a680a7080b73302812319 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/db/functionObjects/functionObjectList/functionObjectList.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/db/functionObjects/functionObjectList/functionObjectList.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2015-2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2015-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -625,9 +625,7 @@ bool Foam::functionObjectList::execute()
 
         stateDictPtr_->writeObject
         (
-            IOstream::ASCII,
-            IOstream::currentVersion,
-            time_.writeCompression(),
+            IOstreamOption(IOstream::ASCII, time_.writeCompression()),
             true
         );
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/db/objectRegistry/objectRegistry.C b/src/OpenFOAM/db/objectRegistry/objectRegistry.C
index f6832dc47b4d1c115dcbad6d11e6b1af9854fedb..9621daf6aaf2258413ffc2793f06b2200624a91c 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/db/objectRegistry/objectRegistry.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/db/objectRegistry/objectRegistry.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2015-2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2015-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -473,9 +473,7 @@ bool Foam::objectRegistry::readIfModified()
 
 bool Foam::objectRegistry::writeObject
 (
-    IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-    IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+    IOstreamOption streamOpt,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
@@ -496,7 +494,7 @@ bool Foam::objectRegistry::writeObject
 
         if ((*iter)->writeOpt() != NO_WRITE)
         {
-            ok = (*iter)->writeObject(fmt, ver, cmp, valid) && ok;
+            ok = (*iter)->writeObject(streamOpt, valid) && ok;
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/db/objectRegistry/objectRegistry.H b/src/OpenFOAM/db/objectRegistry/objectRegistry.H
index 05b4ae94b6577d9350f30da978ce60e11d178956..fda27b6543b49264b10703d37b4967dbf6f3136f 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/db/objectRegistry/objectRegistry.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/db/objectRegistry/objectRegistry.H
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2016 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2016-2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2016-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -524,12 +524,10 @@ public:
             return false;
         }
 
-        //- Write the objects
+        //- Write the objects using stream options
         virtual bool writeObject
         (
-            IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-            IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-            IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+            IOstreamOption streamOpt,
             const bool valid
         ) const;
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/db/regIOobject/regIOobject.H b/src/OpenFOAM/db/regIOobject/regIOobject.H
index 6793e7000b4f288c9e33c9a278ab45c57e80a494..6ac4db7c28190c7d72e63350292669a4f7ad7484 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/db/regIOobject/regIOobject.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/db/regIOobject/regIOobject.H
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ SourceFiles
 
 #include "IOobject.H"
 #include "typeInfo.H"
+#include "stdFoam.H"
 #include "OSspecific.H"
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
@@ -319,12 +320,10 @@ public:
             //  Must be defined in derived types
             virtual bool writeData(Ostream&) const = 0;
 
-            //- Write using given format, version and compression
+            //- Write using stream options
             virtual bool writeObject
             (
-                IOstream::streamFormat,
-                IOstream::versionNumber,
-                IOstream::compressionType,
+                IOstreamOption streamOpt,
                 const bool valid
             ) const;
 
@@ -345,6 +344,19 @@ public:
 
         //- Copy assignment
         void operator=(const IOobject& io);
+
+
+    // Housekeeping
+
+        //- Write using given format, version and compression
+        FOAM_DEPRECATED_FOR(2020-02, "writeObject(IOstreamOption, bool)")
+        virtual bool writeObject
+        (
+            IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
+            IOstream::versionNumber ver,
+            IOstream::compressionType comp,
+            const bool valid
+        ) const;
 };
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/db/regIOobject/regIOobjectWrite.C b/src/OpenFOAM/db/regIOobject/regIOobjectWrite.C
index c85eefa5e02b0e156e66c58fec99a05e5f46f2b0..c913550406c20f818475a1d2e6bbca6825d0fa58 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/db/regIOobject/regIOobjectWrite.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/db/regIOobject/regIOobjectWrite.C
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
+    Copyright (C) 2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -23,9 +24,6 @@ License
     You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
     along with OpenFOAM.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
-Description
-    write function for regIOobjects
-
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
 #include "regIOobject.H"
@@ -37,9 +35,7 @@ Description
 
 bool Foam::regIOobject::writeObject
 (
-    IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-    IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+    IOstreamOption streamOpt,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
@@ -62,7 +58,6 @@ bool Foam::regIOobject::writeObject
     }
 
 
-
     //- uncomment this if you want to write global objects on master only
     //bool isGlobal = global();
     bool isGlobal = false;
@@ -119,7 +114,7 @@ bool Foam::regIOobject::writeObject
         //if (mkDir(path()))
         //{
         //    // Try opening an OFstream for object
-        //    OFstream os(objectPath(), fmt, ver, cmp);
+        //    OFstream os(objectPath(), streamOpt);
         //
         //    // If any of these fail, return (leave error handling to Ostream
         //    // class)
@@ -143,7 +138,7 @@ bool Foam::regIOobject::writeObject
         //
         //    osGood = os.good();
         //}
-        osGood = fileHandler().writeObject(*this, fmt, ver, cmp, valid);
+        osGood = fileHandler().writeObject(*this, streamOpt, valid);
     }
     else
     {
@@ -171,12 +166,22 @@ bool Foam::regIOobject::write(const bool valid) const
 {
     return writeObject
     (
-        time().writeFormat(),
-        IOstream::currentVersion,
-        time().writeCompression(),
+        IOstreamOption(time().writeFormat(), time().writeCompression()),
         valid
     );
 }
 
 
+bool Foam::regIOobject::writeObject
+(
+    IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
+    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
+    IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+    const bool valid
+) const
+{
+    return writeObject(IOstreamOption(fmt, ver, cmp), valid);
+}
+
+
 // ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/collatedFileOperation/collatedFileOperation.C b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/collatedFileOperation/collatedFileOperation.C
index d5ef43cbaa1ec8c8f79f48b9c7da89817af9e204..4ae1f70db00e018dbc31d67c45aae9fb9086a28b 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/collatedFileOperation/collatedFileOperation.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/collatedFileOperation/collatedFileOperation.C
@@ -118,9 +118,7 @@ bool Foam::fileOperations::collatedFileOperation::appendObject
 (
     const regIOobject& io,
     const fileName& pathName,
-    IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-    IOstream::compressionType cmp
+    IOstreamOption streamOpt
 ) const
 {
     // Append to processors/ file
@@ -169,7 +167,7 @@ bool Foam::fileOperations::collatedFileOperation::appendObject
     // Create string from all data to write
     string buf;
     {
-        OStringStream os(fmt, ver);
+        OStringStream os(streamOpt.format(), streamOpt.version());
         if (isMaster)
         {
             if (!io.writeHeader(os))
@@ -199,7 +197,7 @@ bool Foam::fileOperations::collatedFileOperation::appendObject
     OFstream os
     (
         pathName,
-        IOstreamOption(IOstream::BINARY, ver),  // UNCOMPRESSED
+        IOstreamOption(IOstream::BINARY, streamOpt.version()),  // UNCOMPRESSED
         !isMaster  // append slaves
     );
 
@@ -461,9 +459,7 @@ Foam::fileName Foam::fileOperations::collatedFileOperation::objectPath
 bool Foam::fileOperations::collatedFileOperation::writeObject
 (
     const regIOobject& io,
-    IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-    IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+    IOstreamOption streamOpt,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
@@ -486,7 +482,7 @@ bool Foam::fileOperations::collatedFileOperation::writeObject
         masterOFstream os
         (
             pathName,
-            IOstreamOption(fmt, ver, cmp),
+            streamOpt,
             false,  // append=false
             valid
         );
@@ -530,7 +526,7 @@ bool Foam::fileOperations::collatedFileOperation::writeObject
             masterOFstream os
             (
                 pathName,
-                IOstreamOption(fmt, ver, cmp),
+                streamOpt,
                 false,  // append=false
                 valid
             );
@@ -565,7 +561,7 @@ bool Foam::fileOperations::collatedFileOperation::writeObject
                     << " appending to " << pathName << endl;
             }
 
-            return appendObject(io, pathName, fmt, ver, cmp);
+            return appendObject(io, pathName, streamOpt);
         }
         else
         {
@@ -590,7 +586,7 @@ bool Foam::fileOperations::collatedFileOperation::writeObject
             (
                 writer_,
                 pathName,
-                IOstreamOption(fmt, ver, cmp),
+                streamOpt,
                 useThread
             );
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/collatedFileOperation/collatedFileOperation.H b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/collatedFileOperation/collatedFileOperation.H
index 170b53c08b591f00d5f759a7ab583b68881eb8b2..1f3b16615e3073c75caad775eb0a4065113f73bd 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/collatedFileOperation/collatedFileOperation.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/collatedFileOperation/collatedFileOperation.H
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2019-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -95,9 +95,7 @@ protected:
         (
             const regIOobject& io,
             const fileName& pathName,
-            IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-            IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-            IOstream::compressionType cmp
+            IOstreamOption streamOpt
         ) const;
 
 
@@ -150,9 +148,7 @@ public:
             virtual bool writeObject
             (
                 const regIOobject&,
-                IOstream::streamFormat format=IOstream::ASCII,
-                IOstream::versionNumber version=IOstream::currentVersion,
-                IOstream::compressionType compression=IOstream::UNCOMPRESSED,
+                IOstreamOption streamOpt = IOstreamOption(),
                 const bool valid = true
             ) const;
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperation/fileOperation.C b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperation/fileOperation.C
index 09b95f63638e2f9cf0cbc3d7a8e958c7be034e93..5feb72673d7730b8858695abb30ac292739f105b 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperation/fileOperation.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperation/fileOperation.C
@@ -464,9 +464,7 @@ Foam::fileName Foam::fileOperation::objectPath
 bool Foam::fileOperation::writeObject
 (
     const regIOobject& io,
-    IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-    IOstream::compressionType comp,
+    IOstreamOption streamOpt,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
@@ -476,10 +474,7 @@ bool Foam::fileOperation::writeObject
 
         mkDir(pathName.path());
 
-        autoPtr<OSstream> osPtr
-        (
-            NewOFstream(pathName, IOstreamOption(fmt, ver, comp))
-        );
+        autoPtr<OSstream> osPtr(NewOFstream(pathName, streamOpt));
 
         if (!osPtr)
         {
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperation/fileOperation.H b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperation/fileOperation.H
index d2e21e448db445744b70c0edbec786741dea0392..4af314a3718fef6cba7306a5e2c5eff0387d6d76 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperation/fileOperation.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/fileOperation/fileOperation.H
@@ -410,9 +410,7 @@ public:
             virtual bool writeObject
             (
                 const regIOobject& io,
-                IOstream::streamFormat fmt = IOstream::ASCII,
-                IOstream::versionNumber ver = IOstream::currentVersion,
-                IOstream::compressionType comp = IOstream::UNCOMPRESSED,
+                IOstreamOption streamOpt = IOstreamOption(),
                 const bool valid = true
             ) const;
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/masterUncollatedFileOperation/masterUncollatedFileOperation.C b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/masterUncollatedFileOperation/masterUncollatedFileOperation.C
index e9b22832721889313c9f66c2a1403b7c4e36f63d..fb0595f5834e93c9618cfb91c1697bb2898ff5ee 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/masterUncollatedFileOperation/masterUncollatedFileOperation.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/masterUncollatedFileOperation/masterUncollatedFileOperation.C
@@ -494,93 +494,71 @@ bool Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::uniformFile
 void Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::readAndSend
 (
     const fileName& filePath,
-    const IOstream::compressionType cmp,
     const labelUList& procs,
     PstreamBuffers& pBufs
 )
 {
-    if (cmp == IOstream::compressionType::COMPRESSED)
+    IFstream ifs(filePath, IOstream::streamFormat::BINARY);
+
+    if (!ifs.good())
     {
-        if (debug)
-        {
-            Pout<< "masterUncollatedFileOperation::readAndSend :"
-                << " Opening compressed " << filePath << endl;
-        }
+        FatalIOErrorInFunction(filePath)
+            << "Cannot open file " << filePath
+            << exit(FatalIOError);
+    }
 
-        IFstream is(filePath, IOstream::streamFormat::BINARY);
+    if (debug)
+    {
+        Pout<< "masterUncollatedFileOperation::readAndSend :"
+            << " compressed:" << bool(ifs.compression()) << " "
+            << filePath << endl;
+    }
 
-        if (!is.good())
+    if (ifs.compression() == IOstream::compressionType::COMPRESSED)
+    {
+        // Could use Foam::fileSize, estimate uncompressed size (eg, 2x)
+        // and then string reserve followed by string assign...
+
+        // Uncompress and read file contents into a character buffer
+        const std::string buf
+        (
+            std::istreambuf_iterator<char>(ifs.stdStream()),
+            std::istreambuf_iterator<char>()
+        );
+
+        for (const label proci : procs)
         {
-            FatalIOErrorInFunction(filePath) << "Cannot open file " << filePath
-                << exit(FatalIOError);
+            UOPstream os(proci, pBufs);
+            os.write(buf.data(), buf.length());
         }
 
-        std::ostringstream stringStr;
-        stringStr << is.stdStream().rdbuf();
-        string buf(stringStr.str());
-
-        forAll(procs, i)
+        if (debug)
         {
-            UOPstream os(procs[i], pBufs);
-            os.write(&buf[0], buf.size());
+            Pout<< "masterUncollatedFileOperation::readStream :"
+                << " From " << filePath <<  " sent " << buf.size()
+                << " bytes" << endl;
         }
     }
     else
     {
-        off_t count(Foam::fileSize(filePath));
-        IFstream is(filePath, IOstream::streamFormat::BINARY);
+        const off_t count(Foam::fileSize(filePath));
+
+        // Read file contents into a character buffer
+        List<char> buf(static_cast<label>(count));
+        ifs.stdStream().read(buf.data(), count);
 
-        if (!is.good())
+        for (const label proci : procs)
         {
-            FatalIOErrorInFunction(filePath) << "Cannot open file " << filePath
-                << exit(FatalIOError);
+            UOPstream os(proci, pBufs);
+            os.write(buf.cdata(), count);
         }
 
-
         if (debug)
         {
             Pout<< "masterUncollatedFileOperation::readStream :"
-                << " From " << filePath <<  " reading " << label(count)
+                << " From " << filePath <<  " sent " << buf.size()
                 << " bytes" << endl;
         }
-        List<char> buf(static_cast<label>(count));
-        is.stdStream().read(buf.begin(), count);
-
-        forAll(procs, i)
-        {
-            UOPstream os(procs[i], pBufs);
-            os.write(buf.begin(), count);
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-
-void Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::readAndSend
-(
-    const fileName& fName,
-    const labelUList& procs,
-    PstreamBuffers& pBufs
-)
-{
-    if (Foam::exists(fName+".gz", false))
-    {
-        readAndSend
-        (
-            fName,
-            IOstream::compressionType::COMPRESSED,
-            procs,
-            pBufs
-        );
-    }
-    else
-    {
-        readAndSend
-        (
-            fName,
-            IOstream::compressionType::UNCOMPRESSED,
-            procs,
-            pBufs
-        );
     }
 }
 
@@ -656,18 +634,16 @@ Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::read
                         << exit(FatalIOError);
                 }
 
-                autoPtr<IFstream> ifsPtr(new IFstream(filePaths[0]));
+                // Open master
+                isPtr.reset(new IFstream(filePaths[0]));
 
                 // Read header
-                if (!io.readHeader(ifsPtr()))
+                if (!io.readHeader(isPtr()))
                 {
-                    FatalIOErrorInFunction(ifsPtr())
+                    FatalIOErrorInFunction(isPtr())
                         << "problem while reading header for object "
                         << io.name() << exit(FatalIOError);
                 }
-
-                // Open master (steal from ifsPtr)
-                isPtr.reset(ifsPtr.ptr());
             }
 
             // Read slave files
@@ -715,7 +691,7 @@ Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::read
             List<char> buf(recvSizes[Pstream::masterNo()]);
             if (recvSizes[Pstream::masterNo()] > 0)
             {
-                is.read(buf.begin(), recvSizes[Pstream::masterNo()]);
+                is.read(buf.data(), recvSizes[Pstream::masterNo()]);
             }
 
             if (debug)
@@ -723,17 +699,15 @@ Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::read
                 Pout<< "masterUncollatedFileOperation::readStream :"
                     << " Done reading " << buf.size() << " bytes" << endl;
             }
-            const fileName& fName = filePaths[Pstream::myProcNo(comm)];
-            isPtr.reset
-            (
-                new IListStream
-                (
-                    std::move(buf),
-                    IOstream::BINARY,
-                    IOstream::currentVersion,
-                    fName
-                )
-            );
+
+            // A local character buffer copy of the Pstream contents.
+            // Construct with same parameters (ASCII, current version)
+            // as the IFstream so that it has the same characteristics.
+
+            isPtr.reset(new IListStream(std::move(buf)));
+
+            // With the proper file name
+            isPtr->name() = filePaths[Pstream::myProcNo(comm)];
 
             if (!io.readHeader(isPtr()))
             {
@@ -1424,6 +1398,7 @@ Foam::fileName Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::dirPath
             {
                 // Retest all processors separately since some processors might
                 // have the file and some not (e.g. lagrangian data)
+
                 objPath = masterOp<fileName, fileOrNullOp>
                 (
                     io.objectPath(),
@@ -1721,7 +1696,7 @@ Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::readObjects
     {
         // Avoid fileOperation::readObjects from triggering parallel ops
         // (through call to filePath which triggers parallel )
-        bool oldParRun = UPstream::parRun();
+        const bool oldParRun = UPstream::parRun();
         UPstream::parRun() = false;
 
         //- Use non-time searching version
@@ -1872,8 +1847,8 @@ bool Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::readHeader
                              == decomposedBlockData::typeName
                             )
                             {
-                                // Read the header inside the container (master
-                                // data)
+                                // Read the header inside the container
+                                // (master data)
                                 result[proci] = decomposedBlockData::
                                 readMasterHeader
                                 (
@@ -2003,7 +1978,6 @@ Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::readStream
         );
 
 
-        List<char> data;
         if (!Pstream::parRun())
         {
             // Analyse the objectpath to find out the processor we're trying
@@ -2038,20 +2012,6 @@ Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::readStream
         }
         else
         {
-            // Scatter master header info
-            //string versionString;
-            //string formatString;
-            //if (isPtr.valid())
-            //{
-            //    versionString = isPtr().version().str();
-            //    OStringStream os;
-            //    os << isPtr().format();
-            //    formatString = (os.str());
-            //}
-            //
-            //Pstream::scatter(versionString); //,  Pstream::msgType(), comm);
-            //Pstream::scatter(formatString); //,  Pstream::msgType(), comm);
-
             // Get size of file
             off_t sz = Foam::fileSize(fName);
             bool bigSize = sz > off_t(maxMasterFileBufferSize);
@@ -2131,7 +2091,7 @@ Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::readStream
             Pstream::gatherList(procValid, Pstream::msgType(), comm_);
 
             // Uniform in local comm
-            bool uniform = uniformFile(filePaths);
+            const bool uniform = uniformFile(filePaths);
 
             return read(io, comm_, uniform, filePaths, procValid);
         }
@@ -2161,7 +2121,7 @@ bool Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::read
         if (Pstream::master())  // comm_))
         {
             // Do master-only reading always.
-            bool oldParRun = UPstream::parRun();
+            const bool oldParRun = UPstream::parRun();
             UPstream::parRun() = false;
 
             ok = io.readData(io.readStream(typeName));
@@ -2244,9 +2204,7 @@ bool Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::read
 bool Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::writeObject
 (
     const regIOobject& io,
-    IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-    IOstream::compressionType comp,
+    IOstreamOption streamOpt,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
@@ -2261,15 +2219,7 @@ bool Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::writeObject
     // Make sure to pick up any new times
     setTime(io.time());
 
-    autoPtr<OSstream> osPtr
-    (
-        NewOFstream
-        (
-            pathName,
-            IOstreamOption(fmt, ver, comp),
-            valid
-        )
-    );
+    autoPtr<OSstream> osPtr(NewOFstream(pathName, streamOpt, valid));
     OSstream& os = osPtr();
 
     // If any of these fail, return (leave error handling to Ostream class)
@@ -2317,7 +2267,7 @@ Foam::instantList Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::findTimes
         if (Pstream::master())  // comm_))
         {
             // Do master-only reading always.
-            bool oldParRun = UPstream::parRun();
+            const bool oldParRun = UPstream::parRun();
             UPstream::parRun() = false;
             times = fileOperation::findTimes(directory, constantName);
             UPstream::parRun() = oldParRun;
@@ -2353,6 +2303,8 @@ void Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::setTime
     }
 
     // Mutable access to instantList for modification and sorting
+    // - cannot use auto type deduction here
+
     HashPtrTable<instantList>::iterator iter = times_.find(tm.path());
 
     if (iter.found())
@@ -2361,48 +2313,40 @@ void Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::setTime
 
         const instant timeNow(tm.value(), tm.timeName());
 
-        if (times.size() > 0 && times[0].name() == tm.constant())
-        {
-            // Exclude constant
-            SubList<instant> realTimes(times, times.size()-1, 1);
-            if
+        // Exclude constant when checking and sorting
+        const label skipConst =
+        (
+            (!times.empty() && times[0].name() == tm.constant())
+          ? 1
+          : 0
+        );
+
+        if
+        (
+            findSortedIndex
             (
-                findSortedIndex
-                (
-                    SubList<instant>(times, times.size()-1, 1),
-                    timeNow
-                )
-             == -1
+                SubList<instant>(times, times.size()-skipConst, skipConst),
+                timeNow
             )
-            {
-                if (debug)
-                {
-                    Pout<< "masterUncollatedFileOperation::setTime :"
-                        << " Caching time " << tm.timeName()
-                        << " for case:" << tm.path() << endl;
-                }
-
-                times.append(timeNow);
-                SubList<instant> realTimes(times, times.size()-1, 1);
-                Foam::stableSort(realTimes);
-            }
-        }
-        else
+         == -1
+        )
         {
-            if (findSortedIndex(times, timeNow) == -1)
+            if (debug)
             {
-                if (debug)
-                {
-                    Pout<< "masterUncollatedFileOperation::setTime :"
-                        << " Caching time " << tm.timeName()
-                        << " for case:" << tm.path() << endl;
-                }
-
-                times.append(timeNow);
-                Foam::stableSort(times);
+                Pout<< "masterUncollatedFileOperation::setTime :"
+                    << " Caching time " << tm.timeName()
+                    << " for case:" << tm.path() << endl;
             }
+
+            times.append(timeNow);
+            SubList<instant> realTimes
+            (
+                times, times.size()-skipConst, skipConst
+            );
+            Foam::stableSort(realTimes);
         }
     }
+
     fileOperation::setTime(tm);
 }
 
@@ -2413,6 +2357,8 @@ Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::NewIFstream
     const fileName& filePath
 ) const
 {
+    autoPtr<ISstream> isPtr;
+
     if (Pstream::parRun())
     {
         // Insert logic of filePath. We assume that if a file is absolute
@@ -2441,25 +2387,12 @@ Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::NewIFstream
                         << " Opening global file " << filePath << endl;
                 }
 
-                IOstream::compressionType cmp
+                readAndSend
                 (
-                    Foam::exists(filePath+".gz", false)
-                  ? IOstream::compressionType::COMPRESSED
-                  : IOstream::compressionType::UNCOMPRESSED
+                    filePath,
+                    identity(Pstream::nProcs(Pstream::worldComm)-1, 1),
+                    pBufs
                 );
-
-                labelList procs(Pstream::nProcs(Pstream::worldComm)-1);
-                for
-                (
-                    label proci = 1;
-                    proci < Pstream::nProcs(Pstream::worldComm);
-                    proci++
-                )
-                {
-                    procs[proci-1] = proci;
-                }
-
-                readAndSend(filePath, cmp, procs, pBufs);
             }
             else
             {
@@ -2470,17 +2403,9 @@ Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::NewIFstream
                     proci++
                 )
                 {
-                    IOstream::compressionType cmp
-                    (
-                        Foam::exists(filePaths[proci]+".gz", false)
-                      ? IOstream::compressionType::COMPRESSED
-                      : IOstream::compressionType::UNCOMPRESSED
-                    );
-
                     readAndSend
                     (
                         filePaths[proci],
-                        cmp,
                         labelList(1, proci),
                         pBufs
                     );
@@ -2495,10 +2420,7 @@ Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::NewIFstream
         if (Pstream::master(Pstream::worldComm))
         {
             // Read myself
-            return autoPtr<ISstream>
-            (
-                new IFstream(filePaths[Pstream::masterNo()])
-            );
+            isPtr.reset(new IFstream(filePaths[Pstream::masterNo()]));
         }
         else
         {
@@ -2512,7 +2434,7 @@ Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::NewIFstream
             UIPstream is(Pstream::masterNo(), pBufs);
 
             List<char> buf(recvSizes[Pstream::masterNo()]);
-            is.read(buf.begin(), buf.size());
+            is.read(buf.data(), buf.size());
 
             if (debug)
             {
@@ -2520,26 +2442,23 @@ Foam::fileOperations::masterUncollatedFileOperation::NewIFstream
                     << " Done reading " << buf.size() << " bytes" << endl;
             }
 
-            // Note: IPstream is not an IStream so use a IStringStream to
-            //       convert the buffer. Note that we construct with a string
-            //       so it holds a copy of the buffer.
-            return autoPtr<ISstream>
-            (
-                new IListStream
-                (
-                    std::move(buf),
-                    IOstream::BINARY,
-                    IOstream::currentVersion,
-                    filePath
-                )
-            );
+            // A local character buffer copy of the Pstream contents.
+            // Construct with same parameters (ASCII, current version)
+            // as the IFstream so that it has the same characteristics.
+
+            isPtr.reset(new IListStream(std::move(buf)));
+
+            // With the proper file name
+            isPtr->name() = filePath;
         }
     }
     else
     {
         // Read myself
-        return autoPtr<ISstream>(new IFstream(filePath));
+        isPtr.reset(new IFstream(filePath));
     }
+
+    return isPtr;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/masterUncollatedFileOperation/masterUncollatedFileOperation.H b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/masterUncollatedFileOperation/masterUncollatedFileOperation.H
index 4b6e729c8057a255e815fcabf8afa21e70f3e254..03ccd0fd61657c543483b330dc63cc25970cd753 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/masterUncollatedFileOperation/masterUncollatedFileOperation.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/global/fileOperations/masterUncollatedFileOperation/masterUncollatedFileOperation.H
@@ -448,20 +448,11 @@ protected:
             const word& instancePath
         ) const;
 
-        //- Read file contents and send to processors
+        //- Read file contents and send to processors.
+        //  Handles compressed or uncompressed files
         static void readAndSend
         (
             const fileName& filePath,
-            const IOstream::compressionType cmp,
-            const labelUList& procs,
-            PstreamBuffers& pBufs
-        );
-
-        //- Detect file (possibly compressed), read file contents and send
-        //  to processors
-        static void readAndSend
-        (
-            const fileName& fName,
             const labelUList& procs,
             PstreamBuffers& pBufs
         );
@@ -697,9 +688,7 @@ public:
             virtual bool writeObject
             (
                 const regIOobject& io,
-                IOstream::streamFormat format=IOstream::ASCII,
-                IOstream::versionNumber version=IOstream::currentVersion,
-                IOstream::compressionType compression=IOstream::UNCOMPRESSED,
+                IOstreamOption streamOpt = IOstreamOption(),
                 const bool valid = true
             ) const;
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/global/profiling/profiling.C b/src/OpenFOAM/global/profiling/profiling.C
index 2860248d3544879aca3e31e7984d83e555eadf2b..73bc162f44eea9bd2fda0fa3c9c723b3eba24218 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/global/profiling/profiling.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/global/profiling/profiling.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2009-2016 Bernhard Gschaider
-    Copyright (C) 2016-2018 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2016-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -393,19 +393,11 @@ bool Foam::profiling::writeData(Ostream& os) const
 
 bool Foam::profiling::writeObject
 (
-    IOstream::streamFormat,
-    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-    IOstream::compressionType,
+    IOstreamOption,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
-    return regIOobject::writeObject
-    (
-        IOstream::ASCII,
-        ver,
-        IOstream::UNCOMPRESSED,
-        true
-    );
+    return regIOobject::writeObject(IOstreamOption(IOstream::ASCII), true);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/global/profiling/profiling.H b/src/OpenFOAM/global/profiling/profiling.H
index c1f418a3569652ab0ab3303da6f4c388ef6f04f8..4443199c3d2c3839bdfb8c2cd2ec698dd9b61ced 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/global/profiling/profiling.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/global/profiling/profiling.H
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2009-2016 Bernhard Gschaider
-    Copyright (C) 2016-2018 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2016-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -247,12 +247,10 @@ public:
         //- writeData member function required by regIOobject
         virtual bool writeData(Ostream& os) const;
 
-        //- Write as uncompressed ASCII, using given format
+        //- Write as uncompressed ASCII
         virtual bool writeObject
         (
-            IOstream::streamFormat ignoreAlwaysASCII,
-            IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-            IOstream::compressionType ignoreAlwaysUncompressed,
+            IOstreamOption /*ignore*/,
             const bool valid
         ) const;
 };
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/interpolations/uniformInterpolationTable/uniformInterpolationTable.C b/src/OpenFOAM/interpolations/uniformInterpolationTable/uniformInterpolationTable.C
index d05e503677c2a2b8a84e153518715e7f0b6e9cfe..9d1e207d8c741a450e402ac23c22dce10c48d583 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/interpolations/uniformInterpolationTable/uniformInterpolationTable.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/interpolations/uniformInterpolationTable/uniformInterpolationTable.C
@@ -234,9 +234,7 @@ void Foam::uniformInterpolationTable<Type>::write() const
 
     dict.regIOobject::writeObject
     (
-        IOstream::ASCII,
-        IOstream::currentVersion,
-        dict.time().writeCompression(),
+        IOstreamOption(IOstream::ASCII, dict.time().writeCompression()),
         true
     );
 }
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/meshes/polyMesh/polyBoundaryMesh/polyBoundaryMesh.C b/src/OpenFOAM/meshes/polyMesh/polyBoundaryMesh/polyBoundaryMesh.C
index a65ed407f7b75c0e676b66072373f99bfcbb9f26..71f84b929a23143de98d01230adedad60b5e2b3b 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/meshes/polyMesh/polyBoundaryMesh/polyBoundaryMesh.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/meshes/polyMesh/polyBoundaryMesh/polyBoundaryMesh.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2018-2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2018-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -1234,13 +1234,12 @@ bool Foam::polyBoundaryMesh::writeData(Ostream& os) const
 
 bool Foam::polyBoundaryMesh::writeObject
 (
-    IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-    IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+    IOstreamOption streamOpt,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
-    return regIOobject::writeObject(fmt, ver, IOstream::UNCOMPRESSED, valid);
+    streamOpt.compression(IOstream::UNCOMPRESSED);
+    return regIOobject::writeObject(streamOpt, valid);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/meshes/polyMesh/polyBoundaryMesh/polyBoundaryMesh.H b/src/OpenFOAM/meshes/polyMesh/polyBoundaryMesh/polyBoundaryMesh.H
index 56c47603c88978622b3ac6b48c42da7f6a3a7a3d..1609b0f55e3e4fd5792b100369c8afdb354695ca 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/meshes/polyMesh/polyBoundaryMesh/polyBoundaryMesh.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/meshes/polyMesh/polyBoundaryMesh/polyBoundaryMesh.H
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2018 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2018-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -270,12 +270,10 @@ public:
         //- writeData member function required by regIOobject
         virtual bool writeData(Ostream& os) const;
 
-        //- Write using given format, version, compression
+        //- Write using stream options
         virtual bool writeObject
         (
-            IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-            IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-            IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+            IOstreamOption streamOpt,
             const bool valid
         ) const;
 
diff --git a/src/conversion/ccm/reader/ccmReader.C b/src/conversion/ccm/reader/ccmReader.C
index eabede77b624e3c8d3957e8faf41fd62054749bb..89f272e42bae6fa694fafe84d97af974b0a677e9 100644
--- a/src/conversion/ccm/reader/ccmReader.C
+++ b/src/conversion/ccm/reader/ccmReader.C
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
     \\  /    A nd           | www.openfoam.com
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-    Copyright (C) 2016 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2016-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -587,9 +587,7 @@ void Foam::ccm::reader::writeMesh
     Info<< "Writing polyMesh" << endl;
     mesh.writeObject
     (
-        fmt,
-        IOstream::currentVersion,
-        IOstream::UNCOMPRESSED,
+        IOstreamOption(fmt),
         true
     );
     writeAux(mesh);
diff --git a/src/conversion/ccm/reader/ccmReaderAux.C b/src/conversion/ccm/reader/ccmReaderAux.C
index 333a2806c16ded2f26dce91cdc5b435ba553ba16..d580565df8089c8a2943d9c3261ff6c131ce7cc1 100644
--- a/src/conversion/ccm/reader/ccmReaderAux.C
+++ b/src/conversion/ccm/reader/ccmReaderAux.C
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
     \\  /    A nd           | www.openfoam.com
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-    Copyright (C) 2016-2017 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2016-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -174,9 +174,7 @@ void Foam::ccm::reader::writeMeshLabelList
     //
     ioObj.writeObject
     (
-        fmt,
-        IOstream::currentVersion,
-        IOstream::UNCOMPRESSED,
+        IOstreamOption(fmt),
         true
     );
 }
diff --git a/src/conversion/common/reader/meshReader.C b/src/conversion/common/reader/meshReader.C
index 51dcdbf2908161956c84d92220f7796bd7caa762..f13720e9cbd662158b2a649dceefe2d0d6ee23a0 100644
--- a/src/conversion/common/reader/meshReader.C
+++ b/src/conversion/common/reader/meshReader.C
@@ -133,9 +133,7 @@ void Foam::meshReader::writeMesh
     Info<< "Writing polyMesh" << endl;
     mesh.writeObject
     (
-        fmt,
-        IOstream::currentVersion,
-        IOstream::UNCOMPRESSED,
+        IOstreamOption(fmt),
         true
     );
     writeAux(mesh);
diff --git a/src/conversion/common/reader/meshReaderAux.C b/src/conversion/common/reader/meshReaderAux.C
index d4f33f98ffd4019cf8257760d1fe257bb1ccfca1..0503737b2a2e29c2b0a6626c11cf27bd305a09b1 100644
--- a/src/conversion/common/reader/meshReaderAux.C
+++ b/src/conversion/common/reader/meshReaderAux.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2019-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -135,14 +135,8 @@ void Foam::meshReader::writeMeshLabelList
     // NOTE:
     // the cellTableId is an integer and almost always < 1000, thus ASCII
     // will be compacter than binary and makes external scripting easier
-    //
-    ioObj.writeObject
-    (
-        fmt,
-        IOstream::currentVersion,
-        IOstream::UNCOMPRESSED,
-        true
-    );
+
+    ioObj.writeObject(IOstreamOption(fmt), true);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/dynamicFvMesh/dynamicRefineFvMesh/dynamicRefineFvMesh.C b/src/dynamicFvMesh/dynamicRefineFvMesh/dynamicRefineFvMesh.C
index cf0dddc504869f3ed22fbd017093dc5fdb222d7e..38292ef63f17849fb08885c072aab9dcd88ac572 100644
--- a/src/dynamicFvMesh/dynamicRefineFvMesh/dynamicRefineFvMesh.C
+++ b/src/dynamicFvMesh/dynamicRefineFvMesh/dynamicRefineFvMesh.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2018 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2018-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -1387,9 +1387,7 @@ bool Foam::dynamicRefineFvMesh::update()
 
 bool Foam::dynamicRefineFvMesh::writeObject
 (
-    IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-    IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+    IOstreamOption streamOpt,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
@@ -1398,7 +1396,7 @@ bool Foam::dynamicRefineFvMesh::writeObject
 
     bool writeOk =
     (
-        dynamicFvMesh::writeObject(fmt, ver, cmp, valid)
+        dynamicFvMesh::writeObject(streamOpt, valid)
      && meshCutter_.write(valid)
     );
 
diff --git a/src/dynamicFvMesh/dynamicRefineFvMesh/dynamicRefineFvMesh.H b/src/dynamicFvMesh/dynamicRefineFvMesh/dynamicRefineFvMesh.H
index 9e463f5280dcc0895f60d908e42b6c47b11576f5..795a541bd43bf0a6465a292b80ff3bead9e6afed 100644
--- a/src/dynamicFvMesh/dynamicRefineFvMesh/dynamicRefineFvMesh.H
+++ b/src/dynamicFvMesh/dynamicRefineFvMesh/dynamicRefineFvMesh.H
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2017-2018 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2017-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -264,12 +264,10 @@ public:
 
     // Writing
 
-        //- Write using given format, version and compression
+        //- Write using stream options
         virtual bool writeObject
         (
-            IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-            IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-            IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+            IOstreamOption streamOpt,
             const bool valid
         ) const;
 };
diff --git a/src/dynamicMesh/motionSolvers/motionSolver/motionSolver.C b/src/dynamicMesh/motionSolvers/motionSolver/motionSolver.C
index 1b379eee0a42150e20cb6482bee8d7119f86e864..797d0c494fa25442734f6506f96f6e81abfa3a2d 100644
--- a/src/dynamicMesh/motionSolvers/motionSolver/motionSolver.C
+++ b/src/dynamicMesh/motionSolvers/motionSolver/motionSolver.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2019-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -222,9 +222,7 @@ void Foam::motionSolver::updateMesh(const mapPolyMesh& mpm)
 
 bool Foam::motionSolver::writeObject
 (
-    IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-    IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+    IOstreamOption,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
diff --git a/src/dynamicMesh/motionSolvers/motionSolver/motionSolver.H b/src/dynamicMesh/motionSolvers/motionSolver/motionSolver.H
index 7c3ecb880cd4c2ed5ae2d1ffe259562e56a15fc3..87997426ce6dbd5953d355d8de799b875fa8a340 100644
--- a/src/dynamicMesh/motionSolvers/motionSolver/motionSolver.H
+++ b/src/dynamicMesh/motionSolvers/motionSolver/motionSolver.H
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2016-2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2016-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -170,12 +170,10 @@ public:
         //-  Update local data for topology changes
         virtual void updateMesh(const mapPolyMesh&) = 0;
 
-        //- Write state using given format, version and compression
+        //- Write state using stream options
         virtual bool writeObject
         (
-            IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-            IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-            IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+            IOstreamOption streamOpt,
             const bool valid
         ) const;
 
diff --git a/src/finiteVolume/fvMesh/fvMesh.C b/src/finiteVolume/fvMesh/fvMesh.C
index 21f041a812a6d0504d65bb5a0022db9de91e6ba6..f5514df2393b599ffa048296646eef0684f21da1 100644
--- a/src/finiteVolume/fvMesh/fvMesh.C
+++ b/src/finiteVolume/fvMesh/fvMesh.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2016-2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2016-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -912,9 +912,7 @@ void Foam::fvMesh::updateMesh(const mapPolyMesh& mpm)
 
 bool Foam::fvMesh::writeObject
 (
-    IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-    IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+    IOstreamOption streamOpt,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
@@ -932,7 +930,7 @@ bool Foam::fvMesh::writeObject
         ok = V0Ptr_->write(valid);
     }
 
-    return ok && polyMesh::writeObject(fmt, ver, cmp, valid);
+    return ok && polyMesh::writeObject(streamOpt, valid);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/finiteVolume/fvMesh/fvMesh.H b/src/finiteVolume/fvMesh/fvMesh.H
index 7c1edf9c9652b5b15bff70b72587c2a4e871d268..53e57c7f683590c72fa7f0cd51eda9a89fbb46c9 100644
--- a/src/finiteVolume/fvMesh/fvMesh.H
+++ b/src/finiteVolume/fvMesh/fvMesh.H
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2016-2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2016-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -455,9 +455,7 @@ public:
             //- Write the underlying polyMesh and other data
             virtual bool writeObject
             (
-                IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-                IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-                IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+                IOstreamOption streamOpt,
                 const bool valid
             ) const;
 
diff --git a/src/lagrangian/basic/Cloud/Cloud.H b/src/lagrangian/basic/Cloud/Cloud.H
index 9d1707150bb4119afe1ce31edd44a52e5b7b5ecf..2fdb8fecf41f7855a0763cdf9db0f268a7cbdfb8 100644
--- a/src/lagrangian/basic/Cloud/Cloud.H
+++ b/src/lagrangian/basic/Cloud/Cloud.H
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2017-2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2017-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -247,13 +247,11 @@ public:
             //  this level.
             virtual void writeFields() const;
 
-            //- Write using given format, version and compression.
+            //- Write using stream options.
             //  Only writes the cloud file if the Cloud isn't empty
             virtual bool writeObject
             (
-                IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-                IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-                IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+                IOstreamOption streamOpt,
                 const bool valid
             ) const;
 
diff --git a/src/lagrangian/basic/Cloud/CloudIO.C b/src/lagrangian/basic/Cloud/CloudIO.C
index 7793c6d90e61446366520979d1b8d91693db5941..160007fc4d669a7e1995771776e3cfe57c2386c5 100644
--- a/src/lagrangian/basic/Cloud/CloudIO.C
+++ b/src/lagrangian/basic/Cloud/CloudIO.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2017-2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2017-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -121,9 +121,7 @@ void Foam::Cloud<ParticleType>::writeCloudUniformProperties() const
 
     uniformPropsDict.writeObject
     (
-        IOstream::ASCII,
-        IOstream::currentVersion,
-        time().writeCompression(),
+        IOstreamOption(IOstream::ASCII, time().writeCompression()),
         true
     );
 }
@@ -252,16 +250,14 @@ void Foam::Cloud<ParticleType>::writeFields() const
 template<class ParticleType>
 bool Foam::Cloud<ParticleType>::writeObject
 (
-    IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-    IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+    IOstreamOption streamOpt,
     const bool
 ) const
 {
     writeCloudUniformProperties();
 
     writeFields();
-    return cloud::writeObject(fmt, ver, cmp, this->size());
+    return cloud::writeObject(streamOpt, this->size());
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/lagrangian/intermediate/clouds/Templates/KinematicCloud/KinematicCloud.C b/src/lagrangian/intermediate/clouds/Templates/KinematicCloud/KinematicCloud.C
index 9c06faf623d52c80ee053aa2b14caf58d1dc8448..8859f8b7399d2ddd9b846e90129e790a3ebab810 100644
--- a/src/lagrangian/intermediate/clouds/Templates/KinematicCloud/KinematicCloud.C
+++ b/src/lagrangian/intermediate/clouds/Templates/KinematicCloud/KinematicCloud.C
@@ -251,9 +251,11 @@ void Foam::KinematicCloud<CloudType>::postEvolve()
     {
         outputProperties_.writeObject
         (
-            IOstream::ASCII,
-            IOstream::currentVersion,
-            this->db().time().writeCompression(),
+            IOstreamOption
+            (
+                IOstream::ASCII,
+                this->db().time().writeCompression()
+            ),
             true
         );
     }
diff --git a/src/meshTools/coordinate/systems/coordinateSystems.C b/src/meshTools/coordinate/systems/coordinateSystems.C
index 1d51962af4d6b6570aa38cb289069a7853b6cf76..0a367eb9dbea7505b433787141dcc953835f051f 100644
--- a/src/meshTools/coordinate/systems/coordinateSystems.C
+++ b/src/meshTools/coordinate/systems/coordinateSystems.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2016 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2018 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2018-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -443,18 +443,14 @@ bool Foam::coordinateSystems::writeData(Ostream& os) const
 
 bool Foam::coordinateSystems::writeObject
 (
-    IOstream::streamFormat,
-    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-    IOstream::compressionType,
+    IOstreamOption,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
-    // Force ASCII writing
+    // Force ASCII, uncompressed
     return regIOobject::writeObject
     (
-        IOstream::ASCII,
-        ver,
-        IOstream::UNCOMPRESSED,
+        IOstreamOption(IOstream::ASCII),
         valid
     );
 }
diff --git a/src/meshTools/coordinate/systems/coordinateSystems.H b/src/meshTools/coordinate/systems/coordinateSystems.H
index 124946864224d7da80729ab419d76060405a8767..12c65696fbeb6ba3ccf38d50516f988522989dbc 100644
--- a/src/meshTools/coordinate/systems/coordinateSystems.H
+++ b/src/meshTools/coordinate/systems/coordinateSystems.H
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2016 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2018 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2018-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -176,12 +176,10 @@ public:
         //- Write data
         bool writeData(Ostream& os) const;
 
-        //- Write data
+        //- Write using stream options
         virtual bool writeObject
         (
-            IOstream::streamFormat,
-            IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-            IOstream::compressionType,
+            IOstreamOption streamOpt,
             const bool valid = true
         ) const;
 
diff --git a/src/meshTools/searchableSurfaces/triSurfaceMesh/triSurfaceMesh.C b/src/meshTools/searchableSurfaces/triSurfaceMesh/triSurfaceMesh.C
index 73e503d16d7bf33db1f2c18943daf792c4ba0e5e..57012de980f10f1f1a06957887a9e0da47bd1313 100644
--- a/src/meshTools/searchableSurfaces/triSurfaceMesh/triSurfaceMesh.C
+++ b/src/meshTools/searchableSurfaces/triSurfaceMesh/triSurfaceMesh.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2015-2018 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2015-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -1239,9 +1239,7 @@ void Foam::triSurfaceMesh::getVolumeType
 
 bool Foam::triSurfaceMesh::writeObject
 (
-    IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-    IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+    IOstreamOption,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
diff --git a/src/meshTools/searchableSurfaces/triSurfaceMesh/triSurfaceMesh.H b/src/meshTools/searchableSurfaces/triSurfaceMesh/triSurfaceMesh.H
index fd26f5095b825fd2b97b9db88b887ccc0397bf5b..512d5bf2302d9305fe7b637f62914ee28d975971 100644
--- a/src/meshTools/searchableSurfaces/triSurfaceMesh/triSurfaceMesh.H
+++ b/src/meshTools/searchableSurfaces/triSurfaceMesh/triSurfaceMesh.H
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2015-2018 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2015-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -331,12 +331,10 @@ public:
                 return false;
             }
 
-            //- Write using given format, version and compression
+            //- Write using stream options
             virtual bool writeObject
             (
-                IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-                IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-                IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+                IOstreamOption streamOpt,
                 const bool valid
             ) const;
 
diff --git a/src/meshTools/sets/topoSets/cellZoneSet.C b/src/meshTools/sets/topoSets/cellZoneSet.C
index 0feb9e243756653333d6795e06949c6dc367a50c..1db2ab0215fe8315c656615d84c8d998b579fa4d 100644
--- a/src/meshTools/sets/topoSets/cellZoneSet.C
+++ b/src/meshTools/sets/topoSets/cellZoneSet.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2018 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2018-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -229,16 +229,14 @@ Foam::label Foam::cellZoneSet::maxSize(const polyMesh& mesh) const
 
 bool Foam::cellZoneSet::writeObject
 (
-    IOstream::streamFormat s,
-    IOstream::versionNumber v,
-    IOstream::compressionType c,
+    IOstreamOption streamOpt,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
     // Write shadow cellSet
     word oldTypeName = typeName;
     const_cast<word&>(type()) = cellSet::typeName;
-    bool ok = cellSet::writeObject(s, v, c, valid);
+    bool ok = cellSet::writeObject(streamOpt, valid);
     const_cast<word&>(type()) = oldTypeName;
 
     // Modify cellZone
diff --git a/src/meshTools/sets/topoSets/cellZoneSet.H b/src/meshTools/sets/topoSets/cellZoneSet.H
index 59e35d85f7a93c797e71a45d01823fd07c62adcb..4dd1e15f63a2a46f1558e2e0acafd5448c89bac3 100644
--- a/src/meshTools/sets/topoSets/cellZoneSet.H
+++ b/src/meshTools/sets/topoSets/cellZoneSet.H
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2018 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2018-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -139,12 +139,10 @@ public:
             const label maxLen
         ) const;
 
-        //- Write cellZone
+        //- Write cellZone using stream options
         virtual bool writeObject
         (
-            IOstream::streamFormat,
-            IOstream::versionNumber,
-            IOstream::compressionType,
+            IOstreamOption streamOpt,
             const bool valid
         ) const;
 
diff --git a/src/meshTools/sets/topoSets/faceZoneSet.C b/src/meshTools/sets/topoSets/faceZoneSet.C
index 7bd461ececd9be0370fde17c8abc2685f3fb1743..1384884462b52d7d82353ca4e9bfc1c1902064e2 100644
--- a/src/meshTools/sets/topoSets/faceZoneSet.C
+++ b/src/meshTools/sets/topoSets/faceZoneSet.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2018-2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2018-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -451,16 +451,14 @@ Foam::label Foam::faceZoneSet::maxSize(const polyMesh& mesh) const
 
 bool Foam::faceZoneSet::writeObject
 (
-    IOstream::streamFormat s,
-    IOstream::versionNumber v,
-    IOstream::compressionType c,
+    IOstreamOption streamOpt,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
     // Write shadow faceSet
     word oldTypeName = typeName;
     const_cast<word&>(type()) = faceSet::typeName;
-    bool ok = faceSet::writeObject(s, v, c, valid);
+    bool ok = faceSet::writeObject(streamOpt, valid);
     const_cast<word&>(type()) = oldTypeName;
 
     // Modify faceZone
diff --git a/src/meshTools/sets/topoSets/faceZoneSet.H b/src/meshTools/sets/topoSets/faceZoneSet.H
index 26d4d5335b83cb4e1a988bd132c86f54d6a777d6..dbdbd74adbbf02ed5c21ff4ea2436e7d57ee593d 100644
--- a/src/meshTools/sets/topoSets/faceZoneSet.H
+++ b/src/meshTools/sets/topoSets/faceZoneSet.H
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2018 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2018-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -154,12 +154,10 @@ public:
             const label maxLen
         ) const;
 
-        //- Write faceZone
+        //- Write faceZone using stream options
         virtual bool writeObject
         (
-            IOstream::streamFormat,
-            IOstream::versionNumber,
-            IOstream::compressionType,
+            IOstreamOption streamOpt,
             const bool valid
         ) const;
 
diff --git a/src/meshTools/sets/topoSets/pointZoneSet.C b/src/meshTools/sets/topoSets/pointZoneSet.C
index 56a683773ace1d5013b8b93b58b2b0dd7ed77d77..b94e5800ebaf9511212da26a2ff801b1d6881060 100644
--- a/src/meshTools/sets/topoSets/pointZoneSet.C
+++ b/src/meshTools/sets/topoSets/pointZoneSet.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2018-2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2018-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -229,16 +229,14 @@ Foam::label Foam::pointZoneSet::maxSize(const polyMesh& mesh) const
 
 bool Foam::pointZoneSet::writeObject
 (
-    IOstream::streamFormat s,
-    IOstream::versionNumber v,
-    IOstream::compressionType c,
+    IOstreamOption streamOpt,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
     // Write shadow pointSet
     word oldTypeName = typeName;
     const_cast<word&>(type()) = pointSet::typeName;
-    bool ok = pointSet::writeObject(s, v, c, valid);
+    bool ok = pointSet::writeObject(streamOpt, valid);
     const_cast<word&>(type()) = oldTypeName;
 
     // Modify pointZone
diff --git a/src/meshTools/sets/topoSets/pointZoneSet.H b/src/meshTools/sets/topoSets/pointZoneSet.H
index 6fadcc2dfba6fae14f03110f01caa19df419669d..37282b99f263e66aaa8f8b425768ba89299524aa 100644
--- a/src/meshTools/sets/topoSets/pointZoneSet.H
+++ b/src/meshTools/sets/topoSets/pointZoneSet.H
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2018 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2018-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -140,12 +140,10 @@ public:
             const label maxLen
         ) const;
 
-        //- Write pointZone
+        //- Write pointZone using stream options
         virtual bool writeObject
         (
-            IOstream::streamFormat,
-            IOstream::versionNumber,
-            IOstream::compressionType,
+            IOstreamOption streamOpt,
             const bool valid
         ) const;
 
diff --git a/src/optimisation/adjointOptimisation/adjoint/optimisation/lineSearch/lineSearch/lineSearch.C b/src/optimisation/adjointOptimisation/adjoint/optimisation/lineSearch/lineSearch/lineSearch.C
index 59c66375182df5b1605142570d620bacd481f727..b0f1095732ae80e822555d158d6de61f966e4dbf 100644
--- a/src/optimisation/adjointOptimisation/adjoint/optimisation/lineSearch/lineSearch/lineSearch.C
+++ b/src/optimisation/adjointOptimisation/adjoint/optimisation/lineSearch/lineSearch/lineSearch.C
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2007-2019 PCOpt/NTUA
     Copyright (C) 2013-2019 FOSS GP
-    Copyright (C) 2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2019-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -206,9 +206,7 @@ Foam::lineSearch& Foam::lineSearch::operator++()
     lineSearchDict_.add<label>("iter", iter_, true);
     lineSearchDict_.regIOobject::writeObject
     (
-        IOstream::ASCII,
-        IOstream::currentVersion,
-        IOstream::UNCOMPRESSED,
+        IOstreamOption(IOstream::ASCII),
         true
     );
 
diff --git a/src/optimisation/adjointOptimisation/adjoint/optimisation/updateMethod/updateMethod/updateMethod.C b/src/optimisation/adjointOptimisation/adjoint/optimisation/updateMethod/updateMethod/updateMethod.C
index 62e350c4375cb0fee62a4204d25d3b4adaf90bc9..ed8f9a426f5d79fc70c77abe8d36b4cdf487f389 100644
--- a/src/optimisation/adjointOptimisation/adjoint/optimisation/updateMethod/updateMethod/updateMethod.C
+++ b/src/optimisation/adjointOptimisation/adjoint/optimisation/updateMethod/updateMethod/updateMethod.C
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2007-2019 PCOpt/NTUA
     Copyright (C) 2013-2019 FOSS GP
-    Copyright (C) 2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2019-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -413,9 +413,7 @@ void Foam::updateMethod::write()
     // (e.g. continuation)
     optMethodIODict_.regIOobject::writeObject
     (
-        IOstream::ASCII,
-        IOstream::currentVersion,
-        mesh_.time().writeCompression(),
+        IOstreamOption(IOstream::ASCII, mesh_.time().writeCompression()),
         true
     );
 }
diff --git a/src/optimisation/adjointOptimisation/adjoint/parameterization/NURBS/NURBS3DVolume/NURBS3DVolume/NURBS3DVolume.C b/src/optimisation/adjointOptimisation/adjoint/parameterization/NURBS/NURBS3DVolume/NURBS3DVolume/NURBS3DVolume.C
index 75b5985120f38bc7329a66baa76b77d834e465d2..b903f34a8a815f9186b6be4c98f81fdd0330ef06 100644
--- a/src/optimisation/adjointOptimisation/adjoint/parameterization/NURBS/NURBS3DVolume/NURBS3DVolume/NURBS3DVolume.C
+++ b/src/optimisation/adjointOptimisation/adjoint/parameterization/NURBS/NURBS3DVolume/NURBS3DVolume/NURBS3DVolume.C
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2007-2019 PCOpt/NTUA
     Copyright (C) 2013-2019 FOSS GP
-    Copyright (C) 2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2019-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -1893,16 +1893,11 @@ void Foam::NURBS3DVolume::writeCpsInDict() const
         );
 
         cpsDict.add("controlPoints", cps_);
-        // Always write in ASCII format.
-        // Even when choosing to write in binary through controlDict,
-        // the content is written in ASCII format but with a binary header.
-        // This creates problems when the content is read back in
-        // (e.g. continuation)
+
+        // Always write in ASCII, but allow compression
         cpsDict.regIOobject::writeObject
         (
-            IOstream::ASCII,
-            IOstream::currentVersion,
-            mesh_.time().writeCompression(),
+            IOstreamOption(IOstream::ASCII, mesh_.time().writeCompression()),
             true
         );
     }
diff --git a/src/overset/dynamicOversetFvMesh/dynamicOversetFvMesh.C b/src/overset/dynamicOversetFvMesh/dynamicOversetFvMesh.C
index 725dd111a32767f1ffabba9875635b5c58ffc6ab..30479a1f07649d508c9c9e3d8ba15e5537d0f807 100644
--- a/src/overset/dynamicOversetFvMesh/dynamicOversetFvMesh.C
+++ b/src/overset/dynamicOversetFvMesh/dynamicOversetFvMesh.C
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
     \\  /    A nd           | www.openfoam.com
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-    Copyright (C) 2014-2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2014-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -648,14 +648,12 @@ bool Foam::dynamicOversetFvMesh::interpolateFields()
 
 bool Foam::dynamicOversetFvMesh::writeObject
 (
-    IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-    IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+    IOstreamOption streamOpt,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
-    //bool ok = dynamicMotionSolverFvMesh::writeObject(fmt, ver, cmp, valid);
-    bool ok = dynamicMotionSolverListFvMesh::writeObject(fmt, ver, cmp, valid);
+    //bool ok = dynamicMotionSolverFvMesh::writeObject(streamOpt, valid);
+    bool ok = dynamicMotionSolverListFvMesh::writeObject(streamOpt, valid);
 
     // For postprocessing : write cellTypes and zoneID
     {
@@ -684,7 +682,7 @@ bool Foam::dynamicOversetFvMesh::writeObject
             volTypes[cellI] = cellTypes[cellI];
         }
         volTypes.correctBoundaryConditions();
-        volTypes.writeObject(fmt, ver, cmp, valid);
+        volTypes.writeObject(streamOpt, valid);
     }
     {
         volScalarField volZoneID
@@ -711,7 +709,7 @@ bool Foam::dynamicOversetFvMesh::writeObject
             volZoneID[cellI] = zoneID[cellI];
         }
         volZoneID.correctBoundaryConditions();
-        volZoneID.writeObject(fmt, ver, cmp, valid);
+        volZoneID.writeObject(streamOpt, valid);
     }
     if (debug)
     {
@@ -764,7 +762,7 @@ bool Foam::dynamicOversetFvMesh::writeObject
         }
         //- Do not correctBoundaryConditions since re-interpolates!
         //volDonorZoneID.correctBoundaryConditions();
-        volDonorZoneID.writeObject(fmt, ver, cmp, valid);
+        volDonorZoneID.writeObject(streamOpt, valid);
     }
 
     return ok;
diff --git a/src/overset/dynamicOversetFvMesh/dynamicOversetFvMesh.H b/src/overset/dynamicOversetFvMesh/dynamicOversetFvMesh.H
index 05b20b29af4c4611fcdb2d8f9eecce8c728c0ab8..2a528b5bb62fb2f2247ace31a47ca23e602e896e 100644
--- a/src/overset/dynamicOversetFvMesh/dynamicOversetFvMesh.H
+++ b/src/overset/dynamicOversetFvMesh/dynamicOversetFvMesh.H
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
     \\  /    A nd           | www.openfoam.com
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-    Copyright (C) 2015-2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2015-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -350,12 +350,10 @@ public:
         //- Update fields when mesh is updated
         virtual bool interpolateFields();
 
-        //- Write using given format, version and compression
+        //- Write using stream options
         virtual bool writeObject
         (
-            IOstream::streamFormat,
-            IOstream::versionNumber,
-            IOstream::compressionType,
+            IOstreamOption streamOpt,
             const bool valid
         ) const;
 
diff --git a/src/parallel/distributed/distributedTriSurfaceMesh/distributedTriSurfaceMesh.C b/src/parallel/distributed/distributedTriSurfaceMesh/distributedTriSurfaceMesh.C
index af0d7ee487dc97a6bfed9c18ed69d032dbe33880..dc75f2f80cb6605d2eadd26f8619814953db59ae 100644
--- a/src/parallel/distributed/distributedTriSurfaceMesh/distributedTriSurfaceMesh.C
+++ b/src/parallel/distributed/distributedTriSurfaceMesh/distributedTriSurfaceMesh.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2016 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2015-2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2015-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -4835,9 +4835,7 @@ void Foam::distributedTriSurfaceMesh::distribute
 
 bool Foam::distributedTriSurfaceMesh::writeObject
 (
-    IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-    IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+    IOstreamOption streamOpt,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
@@ -4871,7 +4869,8 @@ bool Foam::distributedTriSurfaceMesh::writeObject
     }
 
     // Dictionary needs to be written in ascii - binary output not supported.
-    bool ok = dict_.writeObject(IOstream::ASCII, ver, cmp, true);
+    streamOpt.format(IOstream::ASCII);
+    bool ok = dict_.writeObject(streamOpt, true);
 
     if (debug)
     {
diff --git a/src/parallel/distributed/distributedTriSurfaceMesh/distributedTriSurfaceMesh.H b/src/parallel/distributed/distributedTriSurfaceMesh/distributedTriSurfaceMesh.H
index 8965ab722fb079f288c166b89faffa0800091b44..11868d31da23fba0d2b68b250a13f6f7e3971d0f 100644
--- a/src/parallel/distributed/distributedTriSurfaceMesh/distributedTriSurfaceMesh.H
+++ b/src/parallel/distributed/distributedTriSurfaceMesh/distributedTriSurfaceMesh.H
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2015-2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2015-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -577,16 +577,14 @@ public:
 
         // regIOobject implementation
 
-            //- Write using given format, version and compression
+            //- Write using stream options
             //  Do not use the triSurfaceMesh::writeObject since it
             //  would filter out empty regions. These need to be preserved
             //  in case we want to make decisions based on the number of
             //  regions.
             virtual bool writeObject
             (
-                IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-                IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-                IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+                IOstreamOption streamOpt,
                 const bool valid
             ) const;
 
diff --git a/src/regionModels/regionModel/regionModel/regionModel.C b/src/regionModels/regionModel/regionModel/regionModel.C
index 5d65de91762dffe2526fe3f002c109c30246e2c3..d7d0d7c4f211af0174fda2c9f5facf5406e89865 100644
--- a/src/regionModels/regionModel/regionModel/regionModel.C
+++ b/src/regionModels/regionModel/regionModel/regionModel.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2016 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2016-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -502,9 +502,7 @@ void Foam::regionModels::regionModel::evolve()
         {
             outputProperties().writeObject
             (
-                IOstream::ASCII,
-                IOstream::currentVersion,
-                time_.writeCompression(),
+                IOstreamOption(IOstream::ASCII, time_.writeCompression()),
                 true
             );
         }
diff --git a/src/rigidBodyMeshMotion/rigidBodyMeshMotion/rigidBodyMeshMotion.C b/src/rigidBodyMeshMotion/rigidBodyMeshMotion/rigidBodyMeshMotion.C
index 095b21bef9ca94d84a2d4de9a376f9b1add097a4..2fa2c63319cd71c530ebb3c230acb13b81c5dbcd 100644
--- a/src/rigidBodyMeshMotion/rigidBodyMeshMotion/rigidBodyMeshMotion.C
+++ b/src/rigidBodyMeshMotion/rigidBodyMeshMotion/rigidBodyMeshMotion.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2016-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2016-2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2016-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -342,12 +342,13 @@ void Foam::rigidBodyMeshMotion::solve()
 
 bool Foam::rigidBodyMeshMotion::writeObject
 (
-    IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-    IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+    IOstreamOption streamOpt,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
+    // Force ASCII writing
+    streamOpt.format(IOstream::ASCII);
+
     IOdictionary dict
     (
         IOobject
@@ -363,8 +364,7 @@ bool Foam::rigidBodyMeshMotion::writeObject
     );
 
     model_.state().write(dict);
-    // Force ascii writing
-    return dict.regIOobject::writeObject(IOstream::ASCII, ver, cmp, valid);
+    return dict.regIOobject::writeObject(streamOpt, valid);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/rigidBodyMeshMotion/rigidBodyMeshMotion/rigidBodyMeshMotion.H b/src/rigidBodyMeshMotion/rigidBodyMeshMotion/rigidBodyMeshMotion.H
index 116b6f841039c7564057c57bd066dab6c4d2ca99..ee66a434fffe91b5c3d2036b0f5ffb153903fa0c 100644
--- a/src/rigidBodyMeshMotion/rigidBodyMeshMotion/rigidBodyMeshMotion.H
+++ b/src/rigidBodyMeshMotion/rigidBodyMeshMotion/rigidBodyMeshMotion.H
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2016-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
+    Copyright (C) 2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -165,12 +166,10 @@ public:
         //- Solve for motion
         virtual void solve();
 
-        //- Write state using given format, version and compression
+        //- Write state using stream options
         virtual bool writeObject
         (
-            IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-            IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-            IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+            IOstreamOption streamOpt,
             const bool valid
         ) const;
 
diff --git a/src/rigidBodyMeshMotion/rigidBodyMeshMotionSolver/rigidBodyMeshMotionSolver.C b/src/rigidBodyMeshMotion/rigidBodyMeshMotionSolver/rigidBodyMeshMotionSolver.C
index b172449e4c2cb37dd1adf3c68c7649b0440873e5..3d7bdddf59aab375e6f588c8b9839e30738c503c 100644
--- a/src/rigidBodyMeshMotion/rigidBodyMeshMotionSolver/rigidBodyMeshMotionSolver.C
+++ b/src/rigidBodyMeshMotion/rigidBodyMeshMotionSolver/rigidBodyMeshMotionSolver.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2016-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2016-2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2016-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -278,12 +278,13 @@ void Foam::rigidBodyMeshMotionSolver::solve()
 
 bool Foam::rigidBodyMeshMotionSolver::writeObject
 (
-    IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-    IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+    IOstreamOption streamOpt,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
+    // Force ASCII writing
+    streamOpt.format(IOstream::ASCII);
+
     IOdictionary dict
     (
         IOobject
@@ -299,8 +300,7 @@ bool Foam::rigidBodyMeshMotionSolver::writeObject
     );
 
     model_.state().write(dict);
-    // Force ascii writing
-    return dict.regIOobject::writeObject(IOstream::ASCII, ver, cmp, valid);
+    return dict.regIOobject::writeObject(streamOpt, valid);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/rigidBodyMeshMotion/rigidBodyMeshMotionSolver/rigidBodyMeshMotionSolver.H b/src/rigidBodyMeshMotion/rigidBodyMeshMotionSolver/rigidBodyMeshMotionSolver.H
index e948c109959fc6cffa850d23e7604b72fa4994c2..0239199458b3c4c424baf78879f7d7cf77a3f7ae 100644
--- a/src/rigidBodyMeshMotion/rigidBodyMeshMotionSolver/rigidBodyMeshMotionSolver.H
+++ b/src/rigidBodyMeshMotion/rigidBodyMeshMotionSolver/rigidBodyMeshMotionSolver.H
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2016-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
+    Copyright (C) 2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -49,7 +50,7 @@ namespace Foam
 {
 
 /*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
-        Class rigidBodyMeshMotionSolver Declaration
+                  Class rigidBodyMeshMotionSolver Declaration
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
 class rigidBodyMeshMotionSolver
@@ -155,12 +156,10 @@ public:
         //- Solve for motion
         virtual void solve();
 
-        //- Write state using given format, version and compression
+        //- Write state using stream options
         virtual bool writeObject
         (
-            IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-            IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-            IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+            IOstreamOption streamOpt,
             const bool valid
         ) const;
 
diff --git a/src/sixDoFRigidBodyMotion/sixDoFRigidBodyMotionSolver/sixDoFRigidBodyMotionSolver.C b/src/sixDoFRigidBodyMotion/sixDoFRigidBodyMotionSolver/sixDoFRigidBodyMotionSolver.C
index 9a6955058f3d5f3220c64e57682505745ca21b45..0ed82be6a2b7cfa428fffdcd6ee684d648219231 100644
--- a/src/sixDoFRigidBodyMotion/sixDoFRigidBodyMotionSolver/sixDoFRigidBodyMotionSolver.C
+++ b/src/sixDoFRigidBodyMotion/sixDoFRigidBodyMotionSolver/sixDoFRigidBodyMotionSolver.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2013-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2019-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -294,9 +294,7 @@ void Foam::sixDoFRigidBodyMotionSolver::solve()
 
 bool Foam::sixDoFRigidBodyMotionSolver::writeObject
 (
-    IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-    IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+    IOstreamOption streamOpt,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
diff --git a/src/sixDoFRigidBodyMotion/sixDoFRigidBodyMotionSolver/sixDoFRigidBodyMotionSolver.H b/src/sixDoFRigidBodyMotion/sixDoFRigidBodyMotionSolver/sixDoFRigidBodyMotionSolver.H
index 7d16f8cef3c46e1ab4d7831fd2d8db86b4666853..019acbc7c22433fece8c4d51edb60ca929359d47 100644
--- a/src/sixDoFRigidBodyMotion/sixDoFRigidBodyMotionSolver/sixDoFRigidBodyMotionSolver.H
+++ b/src/sixDoFRigidBodyMotion/sixDoFRigidBodyMotionSolver/sixDoFRigidBodyMotionSolver.H
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2013-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2019-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -141,12 +141,10 @@ public:
         //- Solve for motion
         virtual void solve();
 
-        //- Write state using given format, version and compression
+        //- Write state using stream options
         virtual bool writeObject
         (
-            IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-            IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-            IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+            IOstreamOption streamOpt,
             const bool valid
         ) const;
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurfaceAllocator/MeshedSurfaceIOAllocator.C b/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurfaceAllocator/MeshedSurfaceIOAllocator.C
index a65287740e31f49bd4024e462a5b646493a529b6..11a25822c76747cc6ec2a515077e02ab3ee3e85b 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurfaceAllocator/MeshedSurfaceIOAllocator.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurfaceAllocator/MeshedSurfaceIOAllocator.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2016 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2016-2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2016-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -102,16 +102,14 @@ void Foam::Detail::MeshedSurfaceIOAllocator::clear()
 
 bool Foam::Detail::MeshedSurfaceIOAllocator::writeObject
 (
-    IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-    IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+    IOstreamOption streamOpt,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
     return
     (
-        points_.writeObject(fmt, ver, cmp, valid)
-     && faces_.writeObject(fmt, ver, cmp, valid)
+        points_.writeObject(streamOpt, valid)
+     && faces_.writeObject(streamOpt, valid)
     );
 }
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurfaceAllocator/MeshedSurfaceIOAllocator.H b/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurfaceAllocator/MeshedSurfaceIOAllocator.H
index 5a6c3240454bda854b5c283d3a52fa4785950308..5980bd766e1d1fee5890c3a693b1487cb51cf168 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurfaceAllocator/MeshedSurfaceIOAllocator.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurfaceAllocator/MeshedSurfaceIOAllocator.H
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2016 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2016-2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2016-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -148,15 +148,12 @@ public:
 
    // Writing
 
-       //- Write using given format, version and compression
+       //- Write using stream options
        virtual bool writeObject
        (
-           IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-           IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-           IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+           IOstreamOption streamOpt,
            const bool valid
        ) const;
-
 };
 
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/polySurface/polySurface.H b/src/surfMesh/polySurface/polySurface.H
index e9295888ec1c26ea21744514788df7989a922310..13541f6457fc2357004050fb0992e7f2b9038093 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/polySurface/polySurface.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/polySurface/polySurface.H
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
     \\  /    A nd           | www.openfoam.com
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-    Copyright (C) 2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2019-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -393,12 +393,10 @@ public:
 
     // Writing
 
-        //- Write all components using given format, version and compression
+        //- Write - this is a no-op
         virtual bool writeObject
         (
-            IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-            IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-            IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+            IOstreamOption streamOpt,
             const bool valid
         ) const;
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/polySurface/polySurfaceIO.C b/src/surfMesh/polySurface/polySurfaceIO.C
index 95858649d18d795e3dec9bfecd4818482f620392..bd6201f117e44e295aa5b69b54e63d68695bfb65 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/polySurface/polySurfaceIO.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/polySurface/polySurfaceIO.C
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
     \\  /    A nd           | www.openfoam.com
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-    Copyright (C) 2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2019-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -31,9 +31,7 @@ License
 
 bool Foam::polySurface::writeObject
 (
-    IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-    IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+    IOstreamOption streamOpt,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfMesh/surfMesh.H b/src/surfMesh/surfMesh/surfMesh.H
index 0c7b09d1a1b9a73ac86a55842c33f034002c5a1d..83164024c5c9dfa86de36a369944dafea3a180dd 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfMesh/surfMesh.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfMesh/surfMesh.H
@@ -351,9 +351,7 @@ public:
         //- Write all components using given format, version and compression
         virtual bool writeObject
         (
-            IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-            IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-            IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+            IOstreamOption streamOpt,
             const bool valid
         ) const;
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfMesh/surfMeshIO.C b/src/surfMesh/surfMesh/surfMeshIO.C
index 7ac6329fe3dd46e45cf3020ceaa796d866ab0ccb..f63cc5ef0705bb3f64f3fe390120678f21fb0b75 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfMesh/surfMeshIO.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfMesh/surfMeshIO.C
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Copyright (C) 2011-2016 OpenFOAM Foundation
-    Copyright (C) 2016-2019 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2016-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -193,17 +193,15 @@ Foam::surfMesh::readUpdateState Foam::surfMesh::readUpdate()
 
 bool Foam::surfMesh::writeObject
 (
-    IOstream::streamFormat fmt,
-    IOstream::versionNumber ver,
-    IOstream::compressionType cmp,
+    IOstreamOption streamOpt,
     const bool valid
 ) const
 {
-    bool ok = Allocator::writeObject(fmt, ver, cmp, valid);
+    bool ok = Allocator::writeObject(streamOpt, valid);
 
     if (ok)
     {
-        surfZones_.writeObject(fmt, ver, cmp, valid);
+        surfZones_.writeObject(streamOpt, valid);
     }
 
     return ok;