diff --git a/CTestCustom.cmake.in b/CTestCustom.cmake.in
index 0585b3ceb9..9adb03ef8c 100644
--- a/CTestCustom.cmake.in
+++ b/CTestCustom.cmake.in
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ list(APPEND CTEST_CUSTOM_WARNING_EXCEPTION
   "was built for newer macOS version"
   "warning generated"
   "warnings generated"
+  "warning: template parameter ... is not used in declaring the parameter types of function template"
 )
 list(APPEND CTEST_CUSTOM_COVERAGE_EXCLUDE
   ".*/thirdparty/.*"
diff --git a/bindings/C/adios2/c/adios2_c_adios.cpp b/bindings/C/adios2/c/adios2_c_adios.cpp
index 856dc7853f..dd658e9b4b 100644
--- a/bindings/C/adios2/c/adios2_c_adios.cpp
+++ b/bindings/C/adios2/c/adios2_c_adios.cpp
@@ -42,13 +42,8 @@ adios2::ArrayOrdering adios2_ToArrayOrdering(const adios2_arrayordering Corder)
 }
 
 adios2_adios *adios2_init_config_glue_serial(const char *config_file,
-                                             const adios2_debug_mode debug_mode,
                                              const char *host_language)
 {
-    // The debug_mode argument is no longer used, but kept in the public
-    // API for compatibility.
-    static_cast<void>(debug_mode);
-
     adios2_adios *adios = nullptr;
     try
     {
@@ -67,13 +62,23 @@ adios2_adios *adios2_init_config_glue_serial(const char *config_file,
 
 adios2_adios *adios2_init_serial()
 {
-    return adios2_init_config_glue_serial("", adios2_debug_mode_off, "C");
+    return adios2_init_config_glue_serial("", "C");
+}
+
+adios2_adios *adios2_init_serial_debug(adios2_debug_mode)
+{
+    return adios2_init_serial();
 }
 
 adios2_adios *adios2_init_config_serial(const char *config_file)
 {
-    return adios2_init_config_glue_serial(config_file, adios2_debug_mode_off,
-                                          "C");
+    return adios2_init_config_glue_serial(config_file, "C");
+}
+
+adios2_adios *adios2_init_config_serial_debug(const char *config_file,
+                                              adios2_debug_mode)
+{
+    return adios2_init_config_serial(config_file);
 }
 
 adios2_io *adios2_declare_io(adios2_adios *adios, const char *name)
diff --git a/bindings/C/adios2/c/adios2_c_adios.h b/bindings/C/adios2/c/adios2_c_adios.h
index 3be6fd2a6f..676e024196 100644
--- a/bindings/C/adios2/c/adios2_c_adios.h
+++ b/bindings/C/adios2/c/adios2_c_adios.h
@@ -22,9 +22,9 @@ extern "C" {
 #endif
 
 #if ADIOS2_USE_MPI
-#define adios2_init(comm, debug_mode) adios2_init_mpi(comm)
-#define adios2_init_config(config_file, comm, debug_mode)                      \
-    adios2_init_config_mpi(config_file, comm)
+#define adios2_init(comm, debug) adios2_init_mpi_debug(comm, debug)
+#define adios2_init_config(config_file, comm, debug)                           \
+    adios2_init_config_mpi_debug(config_file, comm, debug)
 
 /**
  * Starting point for MPI apps. Creates an ADIOS handler.
@@ -34,6 +34,9 @@ extern "C" {
  */
 adios2_adios *adios2_init_mpi(MPI_Comm comm);
 
+ADIOS2_DEPRECATED
+adios2_adios *adios2_init_mpi_debug(MPI_Comm comm, adios2_debug_mode);
+
 /**
  * Starting point for MPI apps. Creates an ADIOS handler allowing a runtime
  * config file.
@@ -44,10 +47,15 @@ adios2_adios *adios2_init_mpi(MPI_Comm comm);
  * @return success: handler, failure: NULL
  */
 adios2_adios *adios2_init_config_mpi(const char *config_file, MPI_Comm comm);
+
+ADIOS2_DEPRECATED
+adios2_adios *adios2_init_config_mpi_debug(const char *config_file,
+                                           MPI_Comm comm, adios2_debug_mode);
+
 #else
-#define adios2_init(debug_mode) adios2_init_serial()
-#define adios2_init_config(config_file, debug_mode)                            \
-    adios2_init_config_serial(config_file)
+#define adios2_init(debug) adios2_init_serial_debug(debug)
+#define adios2_init_config(config_file, debug)                                 \
+    adios2_init_config_serial_debug(config_file, debug)
 #endif
 
 /**
@@ -57,6 +65,9 @@ adios2_adios *adios2_init_config_mpi(const char *config_file, MPI_Comm comm);
  */
 adios2_adios *adios2_init_serial(void);
 
+ADIOS2_DEPRECATED
+adios2_adios *adios2_init_serial_debug(adios2_debug_mode);
+
 /**
  * Initialize an ADIOS struct pointer handler in a serial, non-MPI application.
  * Doesn't require a runtime config file.
@@ -64,6 +75,10 @@ adios2_adios *adios2_init_serial(void);
  */
 adios2_adios *adios2_init_config_serial(const char *config_file);
 
+ADIOS2_DEPRECATED
+adios2_adios *adios2_init_config_serial_debug(const char *config_file,
+                                              adios2_debug_mode);
+
 /**
  * Declares a new io handler
  * @param adios owner the io handler
diff --git a/bindings/C/adios2/c/adios2_c_adios_mpi.cpp b/bindings/C/adios2/c/adios2_c_adios_mpi.cpp
index 149799ff31..8df28532e5 100644
--- a/bindings/C/adios2/c/adios2_c_adios_mpi.cpp
+++ b/bindings/C/adios2/c/adios2_c_adios_mpi.cpp
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ extern "C" {
 // to be called from other languages, hidden from the public apis
 adios2_adios *adios2_init_config_glue_mpi(const char *config_file,
                                           MPI_Comm comm,
-                                          const adios2_debug_mode debug_mode,
                                           const char *host_language)
 {
     adios2_adios *adios = nullptr;
@@ -39,13 +38,23 @@ adios2_adios *adios2_init_config_glue_mpi(const char *config_file,
 
 adios2_adios *adios2_init_mpi(MPI_Comm comm)
 {
-    return adios2_init_config_glue_mpi("", comm, adios2_debug_mode_off, "C");
+    return adios2_init_config_glue_mpi("", comm, "C");
+}
+
+adios2_adios *adios2_init_mpi_debug(MPI_Comm comm, adios2_debug_mode)
+{
+    return adios2_init_mpi(comm);
 }
 
 adios2_adios *adios2_init_config_mpi(const char *config_file, MPI_Comm comm)
 {
-    return adios2_init_config_glue_mpi(config_file, comm, adios2_debug_mode_off,
-                                       "C");
+    return adios2_init_config_glue_mpi(config_file, comm, "C");
+}
+
+adios2_adios *adios2_init_config_mpi_debug(const char *config_file,
+                                           MPI_Comm comm, adios2_debug_mode)
+{
+    return adios2_init_config_mpi(config_file, comm);
 }
 
 } // end extern C
diff --git a/bindings/C/adios2/c/adios2_c_types.h b/bindings/C/adios2/c/adios2_c_types.h
index 266ac86fa6..063ee3cece 100644
--- a/bindings/C/adios2/c/adios2_c_types.h
+++ b/bindings/C/adios2/c/adios2_c_types.h
@@ -40,8 +40,7 @@ typedef enum
     adios2_error_none = 0,
 
     /**
-     * user input error, on when adios2_debug_mode_on is passed to adios2_init
-     * or adios2_init_config
+     * user input error
      */
     adios2_error_invalid_argument = 1,
 
@@ -62,6 +61,7 @@ typedef enum
     adios2_true = 1,
 } adios2_bool;
 
+/* DEPRECATED: Debug mode will be removed in a future release */
 typedef enum
 {
     adios2_debug_mode_off = 0,
diff --git a/bindings/CXX11/adios2.h b/bindings/CXX11/adios2.h
index 4e5d97de3a..807363cdaa 100644
--- a/bindings/CXX11/adios2.h
+++ b/bindings/CXX11/adios2.h
@@ -15,13 +15,11 @@
 #include "adios2/common/ADIOSMacros.h"
 #include "adios2/common/ADIOSTypes.h"
 
+// DEPRECATED: Debug mode will be removed in a future release
 namespace adios2
 {
-
-// adios alias values and types.  These not used internally and deprecated.
 constexpr bool DebugON = true;
 constexpr bool DebugOFF = false;
-
 } // end namespace adios2
 
 #include "adios2/cxx11/ADIOS.h"
diff --git a/bindings/CXX11/adios2/cxx11/ADIOS.cpp b/bindings/CXX11/adios2/cxx11/ADIOS.cpp
index 3b39dbb6dd..48b2c60f9f 100644
--- a/bindings/CXX11/adios2/cxx11/ADIOS.cpp
+++ b/bindings/CXX11/adios2/cxx11/ADIOS.cpp
@@ -15,17 +15,14 @@
 
 namespace adios2
 {
-ADIOS::ADIOS(const std::string &configFile, const bool debugMode)
+ADIOS::ADIOS(const std::string &configFile)
 : m_ADIOS(std::make_shared<core::ADIOS>(configFile, "C++"))
 {
 }
 
-ADIOS::ADIOS(const char *configFile) : ADIOS(std::string(configFile), "C++") {}
+ADIOS::ADIOS() : ADIOS("", "C++") {}
 
-ADIOS::ADIOS(const bool debugMode) : ADIOS("", "C++") {}
-
-ADIOS::ADIOS(const std::string &configFile, const std::string &hostLanguage,
-             const bool debugMode)
+ADIOS::ADIOS(const std::string &configFile, const std::string &hostLanguage)
 : m_ADIOS(std::make_shared<core::ADIOS>(configFile, hostLanguage))
 {
 }
diff --git a/bindings/CXX11/adios2/cxx11/ADIOS.h b/bindings/CXX11/adios2/cxx11/ADIOS.h
index 72a3c4173c..3fd4da6b47 100644
--- a/bindings/CXX11/adios2/cxx11/ADIOS.h
+++ b/bindings/CXX11/adios2/cxx11/ADIOS.h
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 #include <functional>
 #include <memory>
 #include <string>
+#include <type_traits>
 
 #include "IO.h"
 #include "Operator.h"
@@ -41,15 +42,23 @@ class ADIOS
 {
 
 public:
+    template <class T>
+    using enable_if_bool =
+        typename std::enable_if<std::is_same<T, bool>::value, bool>::type;
+
 #if ADIOS2_USE_MPI
     /**
      * Starting point for MPI apps. Creates an ADIOS object.
      * MPI Collective Operation as it call MPI_Comm_dup
      * @param comm defines domain scope from application
-     * @param debugMode is deprecated and has no effect on library behavior
      * @exception std::invalid_argument if user input is incorrect
      */
-    ADIOS(MPI_Comm comm, const bool debugMode = true);
+    ADIOS(MPI_Comm comm);
+
+    template <typename TDebugMode, enable_if_bool<TDebugMode> Enable = true>
+    ADIOS2_DEPRECATED ADIOS(MPI_Comm comm, TDebugMode) : ADIOS(comm)
+    {
+    }
 
     /**
      * Starting point for MPI apps. Creates an ADIOS object allowing a
@@ -58,11 +67,16 @@ class ADIOS
      * configFile contents
      * @param configFile runtime config file
      * @param comm defines domain scope from application
-     * @param debugMode is deprecated and has no effect on library behavior
      * @exception std::invalid_argument if user input is incorrect
      */
-    ADIOS(const std::string &configFile, MPI_Comm comm,
-          const bool debugMode = true);
+    ADIOS(const std::string &configFile, MPI_Comm comm);
+
+    template <typename TDebugMode, enable_if_bool<TDebugMode> Enable = true>
+    ADIOS2_DEPRECATED ADIOS(const std::string &configFile, MPI_Comm comm,
+                            TDebugMode)
+    : ADIOS(configFile, comm)
+    {
+    }
 
     /** extra constructor for R and other languages that use the
      * public C++ API but has data in column-major. Pass "" for configfile
@@ -74,46 +88,41 @@ class ADIOS
      *     e.g. adios2::ADIOS("", comm, "Fortran", false);
      */
     ADIOS(const std::string &configFile, MPI_Comm comm,
-          const std::string &hostLanguage, const bool debugMode);
-#else
-    // Client code that does not enable ADIOS2_USE_MPI may accidentally
-    // try to pass a MPI_Comm instance to our constructor.  If the type
-    // the MPI library uses to implement MPI_Comm happens to be convertible
-    // to one of the types offered by our serial constructors (e.g. 'bool'),
-    // the invocation will appear to succeed but will ignore the
-    // communicator passed.  Add explicitly deleted constructors that have
-    // better conversions for common MPI_Comm types.
-
-    // openmpi uses 'ompi_communicator_t*' for MPI_Comm
-    ADIOS(void *define_ADIOS2_USE_MPI_to_use_MPI_constructor) = delete;
-
-    // mpich uses 'int' for MPI_Comm
-    ADIOS(int define_ADIOS2_USE_MPI_to_use_MPI_constructor) = delete;
+          const std::string &hostLanguage);
+
+    template <typename TDebugMode, enable_if_bool<TDebugMode> Enable = true>
+    ADIOS2_DEPRECATED ADIOS(const std::string &configFile, MPI_Comm comm,
+                            const std::string &hostLanguage, TDebugMode)
+    : ADIOS(configFile, comm, hostLanguage)
+    {
+    }
+
 #endif
 
     /**
      * Starting point for non-MPI serial apps. Creates an ADIOS object allowing
      * a runtime config file.
      * @param configFile runtime config file
-     * @param debugMode is deprecated and has no effect on library behavior
      * @exception std::invalid_argument if user input is incorrect
      */
-    ADIOS(const std::string &configFile, const bool debugMode = true);
+    ADIOS(const std::string &configFile);
 
-    /**
-     * Starting point for non-MPI serial apps. Creates an ADIOS object allowing
-     * a runtime config file.
-     * @param configFile runtime config file
-     * @exception std::invalid_argument if user input is incorrect
-     */
-    ADIOS(const char *configFile);
+    template <typename TDebugMode, enable_if_bool<TDebugMode> Enable = true>
+    ADIOS2_DEPRECATED ADIOS(const std::string &configFile, TDebugMode)
+    : ADIOS(configFile)
+    {
+    }
 
     /**
      * Starting point for non-MPI apps. Creates an ADIOS object
-     * @param debugMode is deprecated and has no effect on library behavior
      * @exception std::invalid_argument if user input is incorrect
      */
-    ADIOS(const bool debugMode = true);
+    ADIOS();
+
+    template <typename TDebugMode, enable_if_bool<TDebugMode> Enable = true>
+    ADIOS2_DEPRECATED ADIOS(TDebugMode) : ADIOS()
+    {
+    }
 
     /** extra constructor for R and other languages that use the
      * public C++ API but has data in column-major. Pass "" for configfile
@@ -124,8 +133,14 @@ class ADIOS
      * treat all arrays column-major
      *    e.g. adios2::ADIOS("", "Fortran", false);
      */
-    ADIOS(const std::string &configFile, const std::string &hostLanguage,
-          const bool debugMode);
+    ADIOS(const std::string &configFile, const std::string &hostLanguage);
+
+    template <typename TDebugMode, enable_if_bool<TDebugMode> Enable = true>
+    ADIOS2_DEPRECATED ADIOS(const std::string &configFile,
+                            const std::string &hostLanguage, TDebugMode)
+    : ADIOS(configFile, hostLanguage)
+    {
+    }
 
     /** object inspection true: valid object, false: invalid object */
     explicit operator bool() const noexcept;
diff --git a/bindings/CXX11/adios2/cxx11/ADIOSMPI.cpp b/bindings/CXX11/adios2/cxx11/ADIOSMPI.cpp
index 16d315c339..541a57753d 100644
--- a/bindings/CXX11/adios2/cxx11/ADIOSMPI.cpp
+++ b/bindings/CXX11/adios2/cxx11/ADIOSMPI.cpp
@@ -12,16 +12,16 @@
 
 namespace adios2
 {
-ADIOS::ADIOS(const std::string &configFile, MPI_Comm comm, const bool debugMode)
+ADIOS::ADIOS(const std::string &configFile, MPI_Comm comm)
 : m_ADIOS(std::make_shared<core::ADIOS>(configFile, helper::CommDupMPI(comm),
                                         "C++"))
 {
 }
 
-ADIOS::ADIOS(MPI_Comm comm, const bool debugMode) : ADIOS("", comm) {}
+ADIOS::ADIOS(MPI_Comm comm) : ADIOS("", comm) {}
 
 ADIOS::ADIOS(const std::string &configFile, MPI_Comm comm,
-             const std::string &hostLanguage, const bool debugMode = true)
+             const std::string &hostLanguage)
 : m_ADIOS(std::make_shared<core::ADIOS>(configFile, helper::CommDupMPI(comm),
                                         hostLanguage))
 {
diff --git a/bindings/Fortran/f2c/adios2_f2c_adios.cpp b/bindings/Fortran/f2c/adios2_f2c_adios.cpp
index 6d777802a5..5129208458 100644
--- a/bindings/Fortran/f2c/adios2_f2c_adios.cpp
+++ b/bindings/Fortran/f2c/adios2_f2c_adios.cpp
@@ -15,28 +15,24 @@ extern "C" {
 #endif
 
 // this function is not exposed in the public APIs
-extern adios2_adios *
-adios2_init_config_glue_serial(const char *config_file,
-                               const adios2_debug_mode debug_mode,
-                               const char *host_language);
+extern adios2_adios *adios2_init_config_glue_serial(const char *config_file,
+                                                    const char *host_language);
 
 void FC_GLOBAL(adios2_init_config_serial_f2c,
                ADIOS2_INIT_CONFIG_SERIAL_F2C)(adios2_adios **adios,
                                               const char *config_file,
-                                              const int *debug_mode, int *ierr)
+                                              int *ierr)
 {
-    *adios = adios2_init_config_glue_serial(
-        config_file, static_cast<adios2_debug_mode>(*debug_mode), "Fortran");
+    *adios = adios2_init_config_glue_serial(config_file, "Fortran");
     *ierr = (*adios == NULL) ? static_cast<int>(adios2_error_exception)
                              : static_cast<int>(adios2_error_none);
 }
 
 void FC_GLOBAL(adios2_init_serial_f2c,
-               ADIOS2_INIT_SERIAL_F2C)(adios2_adios **adios,
-                                       const int *debug_mode, int *ierr)
+               ADIOS2_INIT_SERIAL_F2C)(adios2_adios **adios, int *ierr)
 {
     FC_GLOBAL(adios2_init_config_serial_f2c, ADIOS2_INIT_CONFIG_SERIAL_F2C)
-    (adios, "", debug_mode, ierr);
+    (adios, "", ierr);
 }
 
 void FC_GLOBAL(adios2_declare_io_f2c,
diff --git a/bindings/Fortran/f2c/adios2_f2c_adios_mpi.cpp b/bindings/Fortran/f2c/adios2_f2c_adios_mpi.cpp
index 4f0cbefb9d..0677d76e08 100644
--- a/bindings/Fortran/f2c/adios2_f2c_adios_mpi.cpp
+++ b/bindings/Fortran/f2c/adios2_f2c_adios_mpi.cpp
@@ -12,29 +12,26 @@
 extern "C" {
 
 // this function is not exposed in the public APIs
-extern adios2_adios *
-adios2_init_config_glue_mpi(const char *config_file, MPI_Comm comm,
-                            const adios2_debug_mode debug_mode,
-                            const char *host_language);
+extern adios2_adios *adios2_init_config_glue_mpi(const char *config_file,
+                                                 MPI_Comm comm,
+                                                 const char *host_language);
 
 void FC_GLOBAL(adios2_init_config_mpi_f2c,
                ADIOS2_INIT_CONFIG_MPI_F2C)(adios2_adios **adios,
                                            const char *config_file,
-                                           MPI_Fint *comm,
-                                           const int *debug_mode, int *ierr)
+                                           MPI_Fint *comm, int *ierr)
 {
-    *adios = adios2_init_config_glue_mpi(
-        config_file, MPI_Comm_f2c(*comm),
-        static_cast<adios2_debug_mode>(*debug_mode), "Fortran");
+    *adios = adios2_init_config_glue_mpi(config_file, MPI_Comm_f2c(*comm),
+                                         "Fortran");
     *ierr = (*adios == NULL) ? static_cast<int>(adios2_error_exception)
                              : static_cast<int>(adios2_error_none);
 }
 
-void FC_GLOBAL(adios2_init_mpi_f2c,
-               ADIOS2_INIT_MPI_F2C)(adios2_adios **adios, MPI_Fint *comm,
-                                    const int *debug_mode, int *ierr)
+void FC_GLOBAL(adios2_init_mpi_f2c, ADIOS2_INIT_MPI_F2C)(adios2_adios **adios,
+                                                         MPI_Fint *comm,
+                                                         int *ierr)
 {
     FC_GLOBAL(adios2_init_config_mpi_f2c, ADIOS2_INIT_CONFIG_MPI_F2C)
-    (adios, "", comm, debug_mode, ierr);
+    (adios, "", comm, ierr);
 }
 }
diff --git a/bindings/Fortran/modules/adios2_adios_init_mod.F90 b/bindings/Fortran/modules/adios2_adios_init_mod.F90
index 010b6e8461..012568d597 100644
--- a/bindings/Fortran/modules/adios2_adios_init_mod.F90
+++ b/bindings/Fortran/modules/adios2_adios_init_mod.F90
@@ -7,71 +7,75 @@
 !
 
 module adios2_adios_init_mod
-
 #ifdef ADIOS2_HAVE_FORTRAN_SUBMODULES
     use adios2_parameters_mod
     implicit none
 
     interface adios2_init
-
-        module subroutine adios2_init_serial(adios, adios2_debug_mode, ierr)
+        module subroutine adios2_init_serial(adios, ierr)
             type(adios2_adios), intent(out) :: adios
-            logical, intent(in) :: adios2_debug_mode
             integer, intent(out) :: ierr
         end subroutine
-        module subroutine adios2_init_debug_serial(adios, ierr)
+        module subroutine adios2_init_debug_serial(adios, adios2_debug_mode, ierr)
             type(adios2_adios), intent(out) :: adios
+            logical, intent(in) :: adios2_debug_mode
             integer, intent(out) :: ierr
         end subroutine
-        module subroutine adios2_init_config_serial(adios, config_file, adios2_debug_mode, ierr)
+        module subroutine adios2_init_config_serial(adios, config_file, ierr)
             type(adios2_adios), intent(out) :: adios
             character*(*), intent(in) :: config_file
-            logical, intent(in) :: adios2_debug_mode
             integer, intent(out) :: ierr
         end subroutine
-        module subroutine adios2_init_config_debug_serial(adios, config_file, ierr)
+        module subroutine adios2_init_config_debug_serial(adios, config_file, adios2_debug_mode, ierr)
             type(adios2_adios), intent(out) :: adios
             character*(*), intent(in) :: config_file
+            logical, intent(in) :: adios2_debug_mode
             integer, intent(out) :: ierr
         end subroutine
 
-# ifdef ADIOS2_HAVE_MPI_F
-
-        module subroutine adios2_init_mpi(adios, comm, adios2_debug_mode, ierr)
+#ifdef ADIOS2_HAVE_MPI_F
+        module subroutine adios2_init_mpi(adios, comm, ierr)
             type(adios2_adios), intent(out) :: adios
             integer, intent(in) :: comm
-            logical, intent(in) :: adios2_debug_mode
             integer, intent(out) :: ierr
         end subroutine
-        module subroutine adios2_init_debug_mpi(adios, comm, ierr)
+        module subroutine adios2_init_debug_mpi(adios, comm, adios2_debug_mode, ierr)
             type(adios2_adios), intent(out) :: adios
             integer, intent(in) :: comm
+            logical, intent(in) :: adios2_debug_mode
             integer, intent(out) :: ierr
         end subroutine
-        module subroutine adios2_init_config_mpi(adios, config_file, comm, adios2_debug_mode, ierr)
+        module subroutine adios2_init_config_mpi(adios, config_file, comm, ierr)
             type(adios2_adios), intent(out) :: adios
             character*(*), intent(in) :: config_file
             integer, intent(in) :: comm
-            logical, intent(in) :: adios2_debug_mode
             integer, intent(out) :: ierr
         end subroutine
-        module subroutine adios2_init_config_debug_mpi(adios, config_file, comm, ierr)
+        module subroutine adios2_init_config_debug_mpi(adios, config_file, comm, adios2_debug_mode, ierr)
             type(adios2_adios), intent(out) :: adios
             character*(*), intent(in) :: config_file
             integer, intent(in) :: comm
+            logical, intent(in) :: adios2_debug_mode
             integer, intent(out) :: ierr
         end subroutine
-# endif
-
+#endif
     end interface
-
 #else
 
     use adios2_adios_init_serial_mod
-# ifdef ADIOS2_HAVE_MPI_F
+
+#ifdef ADIOS2_HAVE_MPI_F
     use adios2_adios_init_mpi_mod
-# endif
+#endif /*ADIOS2_HAVE_MPI_F*/
+#endif /*ADIOS2_HAVE_FORTRAN_SUBMODULES*/
 
-#endif
+#if defined(__GFORTRAN__) && defined(__GNUC__) && (__GNUC__ >= 11)
+!GCC$ ATTRIBUTES DEPRECATED :: adios2_init_debug_serial, adios2_init_config_debug_serial
+#endif /*DEPRECATED*/
+#ifdef ADIOS2_HAVE_MPI_F
+#if defined(__GFORTRAN__) && defined(__GNUC__) && (__GNUC__ >= 11)
+!GCC$ ATTRIBUTES DEPRECATED :: adios2_init_debug_mpi, adios2_init_config_debug_mpi
+#endif /*DEPRECATED*/
+#endif /*ADIOS2_HAVE_MPI_F*/
 
 end module
diff --git a/bindings/Fortran/modules/adios2_adios_init_mpi_smod.F90 b/bindings/Fortran/modules/adios2_adios_init_mpi_smod.F90
index 88495ec4f8..07e49cf5cd 100644
--- a/bindings/Fortran/modules/adios2_adios_init_mpi_smod.F90
+++ b/bindings/Fortran/modules/adios2_adios_init_mpi_smod.F90
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@
 # define ADIOS2_MODULE_PROCEDURE
 #endif
 
+#define UNUSED_ARG(x) if (.false.) print*,loc(x)
+
 #ifdef ADIOS2_HAVE_FORTRAN_SUBMODULES
 submodule ( adios2_adios_init_mod ) adios2_adios_init_mpi_smod
 #else
@@ -35,52 +37,49 @@ module adios2_adios_init_mpi_mod
 contains
 
     ADIOS2_MODULE_PROCEDURE subroutine adios2_init_mpi( &
-            adios, comm, adios2_debug_mode, ierr)
+            adios, comm, ierr)
         type(adios2_adios), intent(out) :: adios
         integer, intent(in) :: comm
-        logical, intent(in) :: adios2_debug_mode
         integer, intent(out) :: ierr
 
-        call adios2_init_config_mpi(adios, char(0), comm, adios2_debug_mode, ierr)
-
+        call adios2_init_config_mpi(adios, char(0), comm, ierr)
     end subroutine
 
-    ADIOS2_MODULE_PROCEDURE subroutine adios2_init_debug_mpi(adios, comm, ierr)
+    ADIOS2_MODULE_PROCEDURE subroutine adios2_init_debug_mpi( &
+            adios, comm, adios2_debug_mode, ierr)
         type(adios2_adios), intent(out) :: adios
         integer, intent(in) :: comm
+        logical, intent(in) :: adios2_debug_mode
         integer, intent(out) :: ierr
 
-        call adios2_init_config_mpi(adios, char(0), comm, .true., ierr)
-
+        UNUSED_ARG(adios2_debug_mode)
+        call adios2_init_mpi(adios, comm, ierr)
     end subroutine
 
     ADIOS2_MODULE_PROCEDURE subroutine adios2_init_config_mpi( &
-            adios, config_file, comm, adios2_debug_mode, ierr)
+            adios, config_file, comm, ierr)
         type(adios2_adios), intent(out) :: adios
         character*(*), intent(in) :: config_file
         integer, intent(in) :: comm
-        logical, intent(in) :: adios2_debug_mode
         integer, intent(out) :: ierr
         ! local
-        integer debug_mode
 
-        debug_mode = adios2_LogicalToInt(adios2_debug_mode)
         call adios2_init_config_mpi_f2c(adios%f2c, &
                                         TRIM(ADJUSTL(config_file))//char(0), &
-                                        comm, debug_mode, ierr)
+                                        comm, ierr)
         if( ierr == 0 ) adios%valid = .true.
-
     end subroutine
 
     ADIOS2_MODULE_PROCEDURE subroutine adios2_init_config_debug_mpi( &
-            adios, config_file, comm, ierr)
+            adios, config_file, comm, adios2_debug_mode, ierr)
         type(adios2_adios), intent(out) :: adios
         character*(*), intent(in) :: config_file
         integer, intent(in) :: comm
+        logical, intent(in) :: adios2_debug_mode
         integer, intent(out) :: ierr
 
-        call adios2_init_config_mpi(adios, config_file, comm, .true., ierr)
-
+        UNUSED_ARG(adios2_debug_mode)
+        call adios2_init_config_mpi(adios, config_file, comm, ierr)
     end subroutine
 
 #ifdef ADIOS2_HAVE_FORTRAN_SUBMODULES
diff --git a/bindings/Fortran/modules/adios2_adios_init_serial_smod.F90 b/bindings/Fortran/modules/adios2_adios_init_serial_smod.F90
index 217850cb24..baf00403fd 100644
--- a/bindings/Fortran/modules/adios2_adios_init_serial_smod.F90
+++ b/bindings/Fortran/modules/adios2_adios_init_serial_smod.F90
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@
 # define ADIOS2_MODULE_PROCEDURE
 #endif
 
+#define UNUSED_ARG(x) if (.false.) print*,loc(x)
+
 #ifdef ADIOS2_HAVE_FORTRAN_SUBMODULES
 submodule ( adios2_adios_init_mod ) adios2_adios_init_serial_smod
 #else
@@ -35,46 +37,43 @@ module adios2_adios_init_serial_mod
 contains
 
     ADIOS2_MODULE_PROCEDURE subroutine adios2_init_serial( &
-            adios, adios2_debug_mode, ierr)
+            adios, ierr)
         type(adios2_adios), intent(out) :: adios
-        logical, intent(in) :: adios2_debug_mode
         integer, intent(out) :: ierr
 
-        call adios2_init_config_serial(adios, char(0), adios2_debug_mode, ierr)
-
+        call adios2_init_config_serial(adios, char(0), ierr)
     end subroutine
 
-    ADIOS2_MODULE_PROCEDURE subroutine adios2_init_debug_serial(adios, ierr)
+    ADIOS2_MODULE_PROCEDURE subroutine adios2_init_debug_serial( &
+            adios, adios2_debug_mode, ierr)
         type(adios2_adios), intent(out) :: adios
+        logical, intent(in) :: adios2_debug_mode
         integer, intent(out) :: ierr
 
-        call adios2_init_config_serial(adios, char(0), .true., ierr)
-
+        UNUSED_ARG(adios2_debug_mode)
+        call adios2_init_serial(adios, ierr)
     end subroutine
 
     ADIOS2_MODULE_PROCEDURE subroutine adios2_init_config_serial( &
-            adios, config_file, adios2_debug_mode, ierr)
+            adios, config_file, ierr)
         type(adios2_adios), intent(out) :: adios
         character*(*), intent(in) :: config_file
-        logical, intent(in) :: adios2_debug_mode
         integer, intent(out) :: ierr
         ! local
-        integer debug_mode
 
-        debug_mode = adios2_LogicalToInt(adios2_debug_mode)
-        call adios2_init_config_serial_f2c(adios%f2c, config_file, debug_mode, ierr)
+        call adios2_init_config_serial_f2c(adios%f2c, config_file, ierr)
         if( ierr == 0 ) adios%valid = .true.
-
     end subroutine
 
     ADIOS2_MODULE_PROCEDURE subroutine adios2_init_config_debug_serial( &
-            adios, config_file, ierr)
+            adios, config_file, adios2_debug_mode, ierr)
         type(adios2_adios), intent(out) :: adios
         character*(*), intent(in) :: config_file
+        logical, intent(in) :: adios2_debug_mode
         integer, intent(out) :: ierr
 
-        call adios2_init_config_serial(adios, config_file, .true., ierr)
-
+        UNUSED_ARG(adios2_debug_mode)
+        call adios2_init_config_serial(adios, config_file, ierr)
     end subroutine
 
 #ifdef ADIOS2_HAVE_FORTRAN_SUBMODULES
diff --git a/bindings/Fortran/modules/adios2_parameters_mod.f90 b/bindings/Fortran/modules/adios2_parameters_mod.f90
index 6be4deb2d9..dbdccfe669 100644
--- a/bindings/Fortran/modules/adios2_parameters_mod.f90
+++ b/bindings/Fortran/modules/adios2_parameters_mod.f90
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 module adios2_parameters_mod
     implicit none
 
-    ! Debug mode
+    ! DEPRECATED Debug mode
     logical, parameter :: adios2_debug_mode_on = .true.
     logical, parameter :: adios2_debug_mode_off = .false.
 
diff --git a/bindings/Matlab/adiosopenc.c b/bindings/Matlab/adiosopenc.c
index a0e18a2eb7..82f79723ac 100644
--- a/bindings/Matlab/adiosopenc.c
+++ b/bindings/Matlab/adiosopenc.c
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ void mexFunction(int nlhs, mxArray *plhs[], int nrhs, const mxArray *prhs[])
 
     /********************************************************/
     /* Open ADIOS file now and get variables and attributes */
-    adiosobj = adios2_init(adios2_debug_mode_on);
+    adiosobj = adios2_init();
     group = adios2_declare_io(adiosobj, "matlabiogroup"); // name is arbitrary
     fp = adios2_open(group, fname, adios2_mode_read);
     if (fp == NULL)
diff --git a/bindings/Python/py11ADIOS.cpp b/bindings/Python/py11ADIOS.cpp
index 88123558e2..bdb9113b4d 100644
--- a/bindings/Python/py11ADIOS.cpp
+++ b/bindings/Python/py11ADIOS.cpp
@@ -15,12 +15,12 @@ namespace adios2
 namespace py11
 {
 
-ADIOS::ADIOS(const std::string &configFile, const bool debugMode)
+ADIOS::ADIOS(const std::string &configFile)
 : m_ADIOS(std::make_shared<adios2::core::ADIOS>(configFile, "Python"))
 {
 }
 
-ADIOS::ADIOS(const bool debugMode) : ADIOS("", "Python") {}
+ADIOS::ADIOS() : m_ADIOS(std::make_shared<adios2::core::ADIOS>("", "Python")) {}
 
 ADIOS::operator bool() const noexcept { return m_ADIOS ? true : false; }
 
diff --git a/bindings/Python/py11ADIOS.h b/bindings/Python/py11ADIOS.h
index c46d742357..195d9aeded 100644
--- a/bindings/Python/py11ADIOS.h
+++ b/bindings/Python/py11ADIOS.h
@@ -29,12 +29,11 @@ class ADIOS
 
 public:
 #if ADIOS2_USE_MPI
-    ADIOS(const std::string &configFile, MPI4PY_Comm comm,
-          const bool debugMode = true);
-    ADIOS(MPI4PY_Comm comm, const bool debugMode = true);
+    ADIOS(const std::string &configFile, MPI4PY_Comm comm);
+    ADIOS(MPI4PY_Comm comm);
 #endif
-    ADIOS(const std::string &configFile, const bool debugMode = true);
-    ADIOS(const bool debugMode);
+    ADIOS(const std::string &configFile);
+    ADIOS();
     ~ADIOS() = default;
 
     /** object inspection true: valid object, false: invalid object */
diff --git a/bindings/Python/py11ADIOSMPI.cpp b/bindings/Python/py11ADIOSMPI.cpp
index 7c09732fcd..1d89f8492b 100644
--- a/bindings/Python/py11ADIOSMPI.cpp
+++ b/bindings/Python/py11ADIOSMPI.cpp
@@ -14,14 +14,13 @@ namespace adios2
 namespace py11
 {
 
-ADIOS::ADIOS(const std::string &configFile, MPI4PY_Comm mpiComm,
-             const bool debugMode)
+ADIOS::ADIOS(const std::string &configFile, MPI4PY_Comm mpiComm)
 : m_ADIOS(std::make_shared<adios2::core::ADIOS>(
       configFile, helper::CommDupMPI(mpiComm), "Python"))
 {
 }
 
-ADIOS::ADIOS(MPI4PY_Comm mpiComm, const bool debugMode) : ADIOS("", mpiComm) {}
+ADIOS::ADIOS(MPI4PY_Comm mpiComm) : ADIOS("", mpiComm) {}
 
 } // end namespace py11
 } // end namespace adios2
diff --git a/bindings/Python/py11glue.cpp b/bindings/Python/py11glue.cpp
index 791451ff6c..60a7cf39af 100644
--- a/bindings/Python/py11glue.cpp
+++ b/bindings/Python/py11glue.cpp
@@ -113,8 +113,6 @@ adios2::py11::File OpenConfig(const std::string &name, const std::string mode,
 
 PYBIND11_MODULE(ADIOS2_PYTHON_MODULE_NAME, m)
 {
-    m.attr("DebugON") = true;
-    m.attr("DebugOFF") = false;
     m.attr("ConstantDims") = true;
     m.attr("VariableDims") = false;
     m.attr("LocalValueDim") = adios2::LocalValueDim;
@@ -231,24 +229,21 @@ PYBIND11_MODULE(ADIOS2_PYTHON_MODULE_NAME, m)
                  const bool opBool = adios ? true : false;
                  return opBool;
              })
-        .def(pybind11::init<const bool>(),
-             "adios2 module starting point "
-             "non-MPI, constructs an ADIOS class "
-             "object",
-             pybind11::arg("debugMode") = true)
-        .def(pybind11::init<const std::string &, const bool>(),
+        .def(pybind11::init(), "adios2 module starting point "
+                               "non-MPI, constructs an ADIOS class "
+                               "object")
+        .def(pybind11::init<const std::string &>(),
              "adios2 module starting point non-MPI, constructs an ADIOS class "
              "object",
-             pybind11::arg("configFile"), pybind11::arg("debugMode") = true)
+             pybind11::arg("configFile"))
 #if ADIOS2_USE_MPI
-        .def(pybind11::init<const adios2::py11::MPI4PY_Comm, const bool>(),
+        .def(pybind11::init<const adios2::py11::MPI4PY_Comm>(),
              "adios2 module starting point, constructs an ADIOS class object",
-             pybind11::arg("comm"), pybind11::arg("debugMode") = true)
+             pybind11::arg("comm"))
         .def(pybind11::init<const std::string &,
-                            const adios2::py11::MPI4PY_Comm, const bool>(),
+                            const adios2::py11::MPI4PY_Comm>(),
              "adios2 module starting point, constructs an ADIOS class object",
-             pybind11::arg("configFile"), pybind11::arg("comm"),
-             pybind11::arg("debugMode") = true)
+             pybind11::arg("configFile"), pybind11::arg("comm"))
 #endif
         .def("DeclareIO", &adios2::py11::ADIOS::DeclareIO,
              "spawn IO object component returning a IO object with a unique "
diff --git a/cmake/install/post/adios2-config-dummy/foo.c b/cmake/install/post/adios2-config-dummy/foo.c
index d55b974a35..8e90505d0c 100644
--- a/cmake/install/post/adios2-config-dummy/foo.c
+++ b/cmake/install/post/adios2-config-dummy/foo.c
@@ -11,9 +11,9 @@ void foo(void)
 {
 #ifdef WITH_ADIOS2
 #if ADIOS2_USE_MPI
-    adios2_adios *ctx = adios2_init(MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on);
+    adios2_adios *ctx = adios2_init_mpi(MPI_COMM_WORLD);
 #else
-    adios2_adios *ctx = adios2_init(adios2_debug_mode_on);
+    adios2_adios *ctx = adios2_init_serial();
 #endif
 #endif
 }
diff --git a/docs/user_guide/source/api_full/c.rst b/docs/user_guide/source/api_full/c.rst
index cd6173be07..f246f5b8bc 100644
--- a/docs/user_guide/source/api_full/c.rst
+++ b/docs/user_guide/source/api_full/c.rst
@@ -33,8 +33,7 @@ Each error will issue a more detailed description in the standard error output:
        adios2_error_none = 0,
 
        /**
-        * user input error, on when adios2_debug_mode_on is passed to adios2_init
-        * or adios2_init_config
+        * user input error
         */
        adios2_error_invalid_argument = 1,
    
diff --git a/docs/user_guide/source/api_full/fortran.rst b/docs/user_guide/source/api_full/fortran.rst
index 6521f8a898..a885173ef3 100644
--- a/docs/user_guide/source/api_full/fortran.rst
+++ b/docs/user_guide/source/api_full/fortran.rst
@@ -115,10 +115,6 @@ ADIOS2 Fortran bindings handlers are mapped 1-to-1 to the ADIOS2 components desc
       ! Optional runtime configuration file (*.xml), see Runtime Configuration Files
       character*(*), intent(in) :: config_file
       
-      ! .true. (adios2_debug_mode_on): enable extra user input checks-> recommended
-      ! .false. (adios2_debug_mode_of): disable extra user input checks
-      logical, intent(in):: adios2_debug_mode
-
       ! error code
       integer, intent(out) :: ierr
       
diff --git a/examples/experimental/runtimeconfig/hello/helloBPWriterXML.py b/examples/experimental/runtimeconfig/hello/helloBPWriterXML.py
index 2d81dd0bd9..688fb51c11 100644
--- a/examples/experimental/runtimeconfig/hello/helloBPWriterXML.py
+++ b/examples/experimental/runtimeconfig/hello/helloBPWriterXML.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 Nx = myArray.size
 
 # ADIOS config file, MPI communicator, debug mode
-adios = adios2.ADIOS("helloBPWriter.xml", comm, adios2.DebugON)
+adios = adios2.ADIOS("helloBPWriter.xml", comm)
 
 # ADIOS IO, name must be the same as in helloBPWriter.xml for runtime settings
 bpIO = adios.DeclareIO("BPFile_N2N")
diff --git a/examples/experimental/runtimeconfig/hello/helloBPWriterXML_nompi.py b/examples/experimental/runtimeconfig/hello/helloBPWriterXML_nompi.py
index 0373d1e672..72c1751b23 100644
--- a/examples/experimental/runtimeconfig/hello/helloBPWriterXML_nompi.py
+++ b/examples/experimental/runtimeconfig/hello/helloBPWriterXML_nompi.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 Nx = myArray.size
 
 # ADIOS config file, debug mode
-adios = adios2.ADIOS("helloBPWriter.xml", adios2.DebugON)
+adios = adios2.ADIOS("helloBPWriter.xml")
 
 # ADIOS IO, name must be the same as in helloBPWriter.xml for runtime settings
 bpIO = adios.DeclareIO("BPFile_N2N")
diff --git a/examples/hello/bpFWriteCRead/FReader.f90 b/examples/hello/bpFWriteCRead/FReader.f90
index 67e0f7d461..f45acd4bab 100644
--- a/examples/hello/bpFWriteCRead/FReader.f90
+++ b/examples/hello/bpFWriteCRead/FReader.f90
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ program FReader
 
     if( irank == 0 ) then
         ! Create adios handler passing the communicator, debug mode and error flag
-        call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_SELF, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+        call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_SELF, ierr)
 
         ! Declare an IO process configuration inside adios
         call adios2_declare_io(io, adios, "FReader", ierr)
diff --git a/examples/hello/bpFWriteCRead/FWriter.f90 b/examples/hello/bpFWriteCRead/FWriter.f90
index d875156ea6..f879ec7905 100644
--- a/examples/hello/bpFWriteCRead/FWriter.f90
+++ b/examples/hello/bpFWriteCRead/FWriter.f90
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ program FWriter
     count_dims(2) = iny
 
     ! Create adios handler passing the communicator, debug mode and error flag
-    call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+    call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, ierr)
 
     ! Declare an IO process configuration inside adios
     call adios2_declare_io(io, adios, "FWriter", ierr)
diff --git a/examples/hello/bpReader/helloBPReaderHeatMap3D.F90 b/examples/hello/bpReader/helloBPReaderHeatMap3D.F90
index a87876f736..e44d9c53bf 100644
--- a/examples/hello/bpReader/helloBPReaderHeatMap3D.F90
+++ b/examples/hello/bpReader/helloBPReaderHeatMap3D.F90
@@ -50,9 +50,9 @@ program helloBPReaderHeatMap3D
 
     ! Start adios2 Writer
 #if ADIOS2_USE_MPI
-    call adios2_init( adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr )
+    call adios2_init( adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, ierr )
 #else
-    call adios2_init( adios, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+    call adios2_init( adios, ierr)
 #endif
     call adios2_declare_io( ioPut, adios, 'HeatMapWrite', ierr )
 
diff --git a/examples/hello/bpTimeWriter/helloBPTimeWriter.py b/examples/hello/bpTimeWriter/helloBPTimeWriter.py
index 680a5c0942..4ddff5a1aa 100644
--- a/examples/hello/bpTimeWriter/helloBPTimeWriter.py
+++ b/examples/hello/bpTimeWriter/helloBPTimeWriter.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
 time = np.array([0.0])
 
 # ADIOS
-adios = adios2.ADIOS(comm, adios2.DebugON)
+adios = adios2.ADIOS(comm)
 
 # IO
 bpIO = adios.DeclareIO("BPN2N")
diff --git a/examples/hello/bpWriter/helloBPWriter.F90 b/examples/hello/bpWriter/helloBPWriter.F90
index 1a7610f9f2..d1cea302ae 100644
--- a/examples/hello/bpWriter/helloBPWriter.F90
+++ b/examples/hello/bpWriter/helloBPWriter.F90
@@ -38,11 +38,11 @@ program helloBPWriter
     start_dims(1) = irank * inx
     count_dims(1) = inx
 
-    ! Create adios handler passing the communicator, debug mode and error flag
+    ! Create adios handler passing the communicator and error flag
 #if ADIOS2_USE_MPI
-    call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+    call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, ierr)
 #else
-    call adios2_init(adios, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+    call adios2_init(adios, ierr)
 #endif
 
     ! Declare an IO process configuration inside adios
diff --git a/examples/hello/bpWriter/helloBPWriter.c b/examples/hello/bpWriter/helloBPWriter.c
index a8977df8ce..789f21e034 100644
--- a/examples/hello/bpWriter/helloBPWriter.c
+++ b/examples/hello/bpWriter/helloBPWriter.c
@@ -60,9 +60,9 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
     }
 
 #if ADIOS2_USE_MPI
-    adios2_adios *adios = adios2_init(MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on);
+    adios2_adios *adios = adios2_init_mpi(MPI_COMM_WORLD);
 #else
-    adios2_adios *adios = adios2_init(adios2_debug_mode_on);
+    adios2_adios *adios = adios2_init_serial();
 #endif
 
     check_handler(adios, "adios");
diff --git a/examples/hello/bpWriter/helloBPWriter.py b/examples/hello/bpWriter/helloBPWriter.py
index 306d86dc91..9b51ea6889 100644
--- a/examples/hello/bpWriter/helloBPWriter.py
+++ b/examples/hello/bpWriter/helloBPWriter.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 Nx = myArray.size
 
 # ADIOS MPI Communicator, debug mode
-adios = adios2.ADIOS(comm, adios2.DebugON)
+adios = adios2.ADIOS(comm)
 
 # ADIOS IO
 bpIO = adios.DeclareIO("BPFile_N2N")
diff --git a/examples/hello/bpWriter/helloBPWriter_nompi.py b/examples/hello/bpWriter/helloBPWriter_nompi.py
index 96eaf8e6d1..9428808fa0 100644
--- a/examples/hello/bpWriter/helloBPWriter_nompi.py
+++ b/examples/hello/bpWriter/helloBPWriter_nompi.py
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@
 myArray = numpy.array([0, 1., 2., 3., 4., 5., 6., 7., 8., 9.])
 Nx = myArray.size
 
-#  debug mode
-adios = adios2.ADIOS(adios2.DebugON)
+#  adios
+adios = adios2.ADIOS()
 
 # ADIOS IO
 bpIO = adios.DeclareIO("BPFile_N2N")
diff --git a/source/adios2/common/ADIOSConfig.h.in b/source/adios2/common/ADIOSConfig.h.in
index 90898288ec..2fef35756b 100644
--- a/source/adios2/common/ADIOSConfig.h.in
+++ b/source/adios2/common/ADIOSConfig.h.in
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@
 #define ADIOS2_VERSION_PATCH @ADIOS2_VERSION_PATCH@
 #cmakedefine ADIOS2_VERSION_TWEAK @ADIOS2_VERSION_TWEAK@
 
+#define ADIOS2_VERSION (ADIOS2_VERSION_MAJOR* 10000 + ADIOS2_VERSION_MINOR * 100 + ADIOS2_VERSION_PATCH)
+
 /*
  * ADIOS Build Information:
  *
@@ -39,4 +41,14 @@
 #  error "ADIOS2 was not built with MPI enabled."
 #endif
 
+#ifndef ADIOS2_DEPRECATED
+#  if defined(__GNUC__) || defined (__clang__)
+#    define ADIOS2_DEPRECATED __attribute__((deprecated))
+#  elif defined(_MSC_VER)
+#    define ADIOS2_DEPRECATED __declspec(deprecated)
+#  else
+#    define ADIOS2_DEPRECATED
+#  endif
+#endif
+
 #endif /* ADIOSCONFIG_H_ */
diff --git a/testing/adios2/bindings/C/TestBPAvailableVariablesAttribites.cpp b/testing/adios2/bindings/C/TestBPAvailableVariablesAttribites.cpp
index 00dc83605a..357ed70f2b 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/bindings/C/TestBPAvailableVariablesAttribites.cpp
+++ b/testing/adios2/bindings/C/TestBPAvailableVariablesAttribites.cpp
@@ -34,11 +34,11 @@ TEST_F(BPAvailableVariablesAttributes, AvailableVariablesAttributes)
     size_t steps = 5;
 
 #if ADIOS2_USE_MPI
-    adios2_adios *adiosH = adios2_init(MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on);
+    adios2_adios *adiosH = adios2_init_mpi(MPI_COMM_WORLD);
     MPI_Comm_rank(MPI_COMM_WORLD, &rank);
     MPI_Comm_size(MPI_COMM_WORLD, &size);
 #else
-    adios2_adios *adiosH = adios2_init(adios2_debug_mode_on);
+    adios2_adios *adiosH = adios2_init_serial();
 #endif
 
     // count dims are allocated in stack
diff --git a/testing/adios2/bindings/C/TestBPWriteAggregateReadLocal.cpp b/testing/adios2/bindings/C/TestBPWriteAggregateReadLocal.cpp
index 64b85be962..790ea42580 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/bindings/C/TestBPWriteAggregateReadLocal.cpp
+++ b/testing/adios2/bindings/C/TestBPWriteAggregateReadLocal.cpp
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ void LocalAggregate1D(const std::string substreams)
     std::vector<int32_t> inumbers(NSteps * Nx);
     std::vector<float> fnumbers(NSteps * Nx);
 
-    adios2_adios *adiosH = adios2_init(MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on);
+    adios2_adios *adiosH = adios2_init_mpi(MPI_COMM_WORLD);
 
     // writer
     {
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ void LocalAggregate1DBlock0(const std::string substreams)
     std::vector<int32_t> inumbers(NSteps * Nx);
     std::vector<float> fnumbers(NSteps * Nx);
 
-    adios2_adios *adiosH = adios2_init(MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on);
+    adios2_adios *adiosH = adios2_init_mpi(MPI_COMM_WORLD);
 
     // writer
     {
diff --git a/testing/adios2/bindings/C/TestBPWriteReadMultiblock.cpp b/testing/adios2/bindings/C/TestBPWriteReadMultiblock.cpp
index e8b22442ef..339d6b8711 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/bindings/C/TestBPWriteReadMultiblock.cpp
+++ b/testing/adios2/bindings/C/TestBPWriteReadMultiblock.cpp
@@ -31,11 +31,11 @@ TEST_F(BPWriteReadMultiblockCC, ZeroSizeBlocks)
     size_t steps = 5;
 
 #if ADIOS2_USE_MPI
-    adios2_adios *adiosH = adios2_init(MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on);
+    adios2_adios *adiosH = adios2_init_mpi(MPI_COMM_WORLD);
     MPI_Comm_rank(MPI_COMM_WORLD, &rank);
     MPI_Comm_size(MPI_COMM_WORLD, &size);
 #else
-    adios2_adios *adiosH = adios2_init(adios2_debug_mode_on);
+    adios2_adios *adiosH = adios2_init_serial();
 #endif
 
     // count dims are allocated in stack
diff --git a/testing/adios2/bindings/C/TestBPWriteTypes.cpp b/testing/adios2/bindings/C/TestBPWriteTypes.cpp
index 5877d39d9a..f2911360f5 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/bindings/C/TestBPWriteTypes.cpp
+++ b/testing/adios2/bindings/C/TestBPWriteTypes.cpp
@@ -28,11 +28,11 @@ class ADIOS2_C_API : public ::testing::Test
     ADIOS2_C_API()
     {
 #if ADIOS2_USE_MPI
-        adiosH = adios2_init(MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on);
+        adiosH = adios2_init_mpi(MPI_COMM_WORLD);
         MPI_Comm_rank(MPI_COMM_WORLD, &rank);
         MPI_Comm_size(MPI_COMM_WORLD, &size);
 #else
-        adiosH = adios2_init(adios2_debug_mode_on);
+        adiosH = adios2_init_serial();
 #endif
     }
 
diff --git a/testing/adios2/bindings/C/TestNullWriteRead.cpp b/testing/adios2/bindings/C/TestNullWriteRead.cpp
index 48f2773909..f5800c8f33 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/bindings/C/TestNullWriteRead.cpp
+++ b/testing/adios2/bindings/C/TestNullWriteRead.cpp
@@ -44,9 +44,9 @@ TEST_F(NullWriteReadTests_C_API, NullWriteRead1D8)
     // Write test data using BP
 
 #if ADIOS2_USE_MPI
-    adios2_adios *adios = adios2_init(MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on);
+    adios2_adios *adios = adios2_init_mpi(MPI_COMM_WORLD);
 #else
-    adios2_adios *adios = adios2_init(adios2_debug_mode_on);
+    adios2_adios *adios = adios2_init_serial();
 #endif
     {
         adios2_io *io = adios2_declare_io(adios, "WriteNull");
diff --git a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestAdios2BindingsFortranIO.F90 b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestAdios2BindingsFortranIO.F90
index 29fddacf43..17d69d4fda 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestAdios2BindingsFortranIO.F90
+++ b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestAdios2BindingsFortranIO.F90
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ subroutine testing_adios_init()
 
     integer :: ierr
 
-    call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+    call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, ierr)
 
   end subroutine testing_adios_init
 
diff --git a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPReadGlobalsByName.F90 b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPReadGlobalsByName.F90
index 9c4773b567..7703096f78 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPReadGlobalsByName.F90
+++ b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPReadGlobalsByName.F90
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ program TestBPReadGlobalsByName
     call MPI_Comm_size(MPI_COMM_WORLD, isize, ierr)
 
     ! Start adios2
-    call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_SELF, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+    call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_SELF, ierr)
 
     ! writer
     call adios2_declare_io(ioWrite, adios, "FWriter", ierr)
diff --git a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteMemorySelectionRead2D.F90 b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteMemorySelectionRead2D.F90
index 83fa4ebf1f..742e4bd35a 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteMemorySelectionRead2D.F90
+++ b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteMemorySelectionRead2D.F90
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ program TestBPWriteMemorySelectionRead2D
   data_r4 = -1.0
   data_r8 = -1.0_8
 
-  call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+  call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, ierr)
 
   ! Writer
   call adios2_declare_io(ioPut, adios, 'MemSelWriter', ierr)
diff --git a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteMemorySelectionRead3D.F90 b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteMemorySelectionRead3D.F90
index 25ae6bf665..6cf83a1d48 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteMemorySelectionRead3D.F90
+++ b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteMemorySelectionRead3D.F90
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ program TestBPWriteMemorySelectionRead3D
   data_r4 = -1.0
   data_r8 = -1.0_8
 
-  call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+  call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, ierr)
 
   ! Writer
   call adios2_declare_io(ioPut, adios, 'MemSelWriter', ierr)
diff --git a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteReadAttributes.F90 b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteReadAttributes.F90
index 6209c60f0b..7499017818 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteReadAttributes.F90
+++ b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteReadAttributes.F90
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ program TestBPWriteAttributes
     call MPI_Init(ierr)
 
     ! Create adios handler passing the communicator, debug mode and error flag
-    call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+    call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, ierr)
 
     !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WRITER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     ! Declare an IO process configuration inside adios
diff --git a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteReadHeatMap2D.F90 b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteReadHeatMap2D.F90
index 99ec972914..f7509f460c 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteReadHeatMap2D.F90
+++ b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteReadHeatMap2D.F90
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ program TestBPWriteReadHeatMap2D
   temperatures_r8 = 1.0_8
 
   ! Start adios2 Writer
-  call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+  call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, ierr)
   call adios2_declare_io(ioPut, adios, 'HeatMapWrite', ierr)
 
   call adios2_define_variable(var_temperatures(1), ioPut, &
diff --git a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteReadHeatMap3D.F90 b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteReadHeatMap3D.F90
index fb9a81f690..54290ac7be 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteReadHeatMap3D.F90
+++ b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteReadHeatMap3D.F90
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ program TestBPWriteReadHeatMap3D
   temperatures_r8 = 1.0_8
 
   ! Start adios2 Writer
-  call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+  call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, ierr)
   call adios2_declare_io(ioPut, adios, 'HeatMapWrite', ierr)
 
   call adios2_define_variable(var_temperatures(1), ioPut, &
diff --git a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteReadHeatMap4D.F90 b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteReadHeatMap4D.F90
index 988552248e..e03c9b6e74 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteReadHeatMap4D.F90
+++ b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteReadHeatMap4D.F90
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ program TestBPWriteReadHeatMap4D
   temperatures_r8 = 1.0_8
 
   ! Start adios2 Writer
-  call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+  call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, ierr)
   call adios2_declare_io(ioPut, adios, 'HeatMapWrite', ierr)
 
   call adios2_define_variable(var_temperatures(1), ioPut, &
diff --git a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteReadHeatMap5D.F90 b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteReadHeatMap5D.F90
index e8c5207b77..daed346f93 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteReadHeatMap5D.F90
+++ b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteReadHeatMap5D.F90
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ program TestBPWriteReadHeatMap5D
   temperatures_r8 = 1.0_8
 
   ! Start adios2 Writer
-  call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+  call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, ierr)
   call adios2_declare_io(ioPut, adios, 'HeatMapWrite', ierr)
 
   call adios2_define_variable(var_temperatures(1), ioPut, &
diff --git a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteReadHeatMap6D.F90 b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteReadHeatMap6D.F90
index 6256cef607..46a5aa6648 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteReadHeatMap6D.F90
+++ b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteReadHeatMap6D.F90
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ program TestBPWriteReadHeatMap6D
   temperatures_r8 = 1.0_8
 
   ! Start adios2 Writer
-  call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+  call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, ierr)
   call adios2_declare_io(ioPut, adios, 'HeatMapWrite', ierr)
 
   call adios2_define_variable(var_temperatures(1), ioPut, &
diff --git a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteTypes.F90 b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteTypes.F90
index 4187762225..b50dad7d29 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteTypes.F90
+++ b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteTypes.F90
@@ -59,9 +59,9 @@ program TestBPWriteTypes
 
      ! Create adios handler passing the communicator, debug mode and error flag
 #if ADIOS2_USE_MPI
-     call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+     call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, ierr)
 #else
-     call adios2_init(adios, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+     call adios2_init(adios, ierr)
 #endif
      if( adios%valid .eqv. .false. ) stop 'Invalid adios2_init'
 
diff --git a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteTypesByName.F90 b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteTypesByName.F90
index 3cdce0c604..f3e3b4190d 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteTypesByName.F90
+++ b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteTypesByName.F90
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ program TestBPWriteTypes
      count_dims(1) = inx
 
      ! Create adios handler passing the communicator, debug mode and error flag
-     call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+     call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, ierr)
 
      !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WRITER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
      ! Declare an IO process configuration inside adios
diff --git a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteTypesLocal.F90 b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteTypesLocal.F90
index 5508137319..aaa599be53 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteTypesLocal.F90
+++ b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteTypesLocal.F90
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ program TestBPWriteTypes
      changing_count_dims(1) = inx
 
      ! Create adios handler passing the communicator, debug mode and error flag
-     call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+     call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, ierr)
 
      !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WRITER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
      ! Declare an IO process configuration inside adios
diff --git a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteVariableAttributes.F90 b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteVariableAttributes.F90
index 693026dcb4..a8604295e5 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteVariableAttributes.F90
+++ b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestBPWriteVariableAttributes.F90
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ program TestBPWriteVariableAttributes
     call MPI_Init(ierr)
 
     ! Create adios handler passing the communicator, debug mode and error flag
-    call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+    call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, ierr)
 
     !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WRITER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     ! Declare an IO process configuration inside adios
diff --git a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestNullEngine.F90 b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestNullEngine.F90
index 93db283d22..1599f88e14 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestNullEngine.F90
+++ b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestNullEngine.F90
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ program TestNullEngine
      count_dims(1) = inx
 
      ! Create adios handler passing the communicator, debug mode and error flag
-     call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+     call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, ierr)
 
      !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WRITER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
      ! Declare an IO process configuration inside adios
diff --git a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestRemove.F90 b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestRemove.F90
index e5f4161dd9..7059c599dd 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestRemove.F90
+++ b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/TestRemove.F90
@@ -35,9 +35,9 @@ program TestRemove
 
     ! Create adios handler passing the communicator, debug mode and error flag
 #if ADIOS2_USE_MPI
-    call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+    call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, ierr)
 #else
-    call adios2_init(adios, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+    call adios2_init(adios, ierr)
 #endif
 
     !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WRITER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
diff --git a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/operation/TestBPWriteReadSZ2D.F90 b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/operation/TestBPWriteReadSZ2D.F90
index edcff011e8..0ebc6d53f4 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/operation/TestBPWriteReadSZ2D.F90
+++ b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/operation/TestBPWriteReadSZ2D.F90
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ program TestBPWriteReadHeatMapSZ2D
   temperatures_r8 = 1.0_8
 
   ! Start adios2 Writer
-  call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+  call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, ierr)
   call adios2_declare_io(ioPut, adios, 'HeatMapWrite', ierr)
 
   call adios2_define_variable(var_temperatures(1), ioPut, &
diff --git a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/operation/TestBPWriteReadSZ3D.F90 b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/operation/TestBPWriteReadSZ3D.F90
index 76e9360537..340cefd442 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/operation/TestBPWriteReadSZ3D.F90
+++ b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/operation/TestBPWriteReadSZ3D.F90
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ program TestBPWriteReadHeatMapSZ3D
   temperatures_r8 = 1.0_8
 
   ! Start adios2 Writer
-  call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+  call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, ierr)
   call adios2_declare_io(ioPut, adios, 'HeatMapWrite', ierr)
 
   call adios2_define_variable(var_temperatures(1), ioPut, &
diff --git a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/operation/TestBPWriteReadZfp2D.F90 b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/operation/TestBPWriteReadZfp2D.F90
index 2a56286fd8..bad8e9a00b 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/operation/TestBPWriteReadZfp2D.F90
+++ b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/operation/TestBPWriteReadZfp2D.F90
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ program TestBPWriteReadHeatMapZfp2D
   temperatures_r8 = 1.0_8
 
   ! Start adios2 Writer
-  call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+  call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, ierr)
   call adios2_declare_io(ioPut, adios, 'HeatMapWrite', ierr)
 
   call adios2_define_variable(var_temperatures(1), ioPut, &
diff --git a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/operation/TestBPWriteReadZfp2DRemove.F90 b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/operation/TestBPWriteReadZfp2DRemove.F90
index d87afa8e1c..70d962dde3 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/operation/TestBPWriteReadZfp2DRemove.F90
+++ b/testing/adios2/bindings/fortran/operation/TestBPWriteReadZfp2DRemove.F90
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ program TestBPWriteReadHeatMapZfp2DRemove
   temperatures_r8 = 1.0_8
 
   ! Start adios2 Writer
-  call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+  call adios2_init(adios, MPI_COMM_WORLD, ierr)
   
   call adios2_define_operator(zfp_operator, adios, 'CompressorZfp', 'zfp', ierr)
   call adios2_declare_io(ioPut, adios, 'HeatMapWrite', ierr)
diff --git a/testing/adios2/bindings/python/TestBPWriteReadTypes_nompi.py b/testing/adios2/bindings/python/TestBPWriteReadTypes_nompi.py
index f58cffc457..28ca3730bd 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/bindings/python/TestBPWriteReadTypes_nompi.py
+++ b/testing/adios2/bindings/python/TestBPWriteReadTypes_nompi.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 # Test data
 data = SmallTestData()
 
-adios = adios2.ADIOS(adios2.DebugON)
+adios = adios2.ADIOS()
 
 bpIO = adios.DeclareIO("NPTypes")
 
diff --git a/testing/adios2/engine/bp/TestBPLargeMetadata.cpp b/testing/adios2/engine/bp/TestBPLargeMetadata.cpp
index 683e3efd30..785ccb1781 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/engine/bp/TestBPLargeMetadata.cpp
+++ b/testing/adios2/engine/bp/TestBPLargeMetadata.cpp
@@ -111,9 +111,9 @@ TEST_F(BPLargeMetadata, ManyLongStrings)
     const std::size_t NVars = 100;
 
 #if ADIOS2_USE_MPI
-    adios2::ADIOS adios(MPI_COMM_WORLD, true);
+    adios2::ADIOS adios(MPI_COMM_WORLD);
 #else
-    adios2::ADIOS adios(true);
+    adios2::ADIOS adios;
 #endif
 
     adios2::IO io = adios.DeclareIO("myIO");
diff --git a/testing/adios2/engine/bp/TestBPSelectionsOnColumnMajorData.cpp b/testing/adios2/engine/bp/TestBPSelectionsOnColumnMajorData.cpp
index 3e614a8925..fbc799ff41 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/engine/bp/TestBPSelectionsOnColumnMajorData.cpp
+++ b/testing/adios2/engine/bp/TestBPSelectionsOnColumnMajorData.cpp
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ TEST_F(ADIOSSelectionColumnMajorTest, 2D)
     // Write test data as if we were in Fortran (Column-major language)
     {
 
-        adios2::ADIOS adiosF("", "Fortran", true);
+        adios2::ADIOS adiosF("", "Fortran");
         adios2::IO ioWrite = adiosF.DeclareIO("TestIOWrite");
         if (!engineName.empty())
         {
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ TEST_F(ADIOSSelectionColumnMajorTest, 2D)
 
     // Read data pretending to be a Column-major language
     {
-        adios2::ADIOS adiosF("", "Fortran", true);
+        adios2::ADIOS adiosF("", "Fortran");
         adios2::IO ioRead = adiosF.DeclareIO("TestIOReadF");
         ioRead.SetEngine("File");
         adios2::Engine engine = ioRead.Open(filename, adios2::Mode::Read);
@@ -602,7 +602,7 @@ TEST_F(ADIOSSelectionColumnMajorTest, 3D)
 
     // Write test data using BP
     {
-        adios2::ADIOS adiosF("", "Fortran", true);
+        adios2::ADIOS adiosF("", "Fortran");
         adios2::IO ioWrite = adiosF.DeclareIO("TestIOWrite");
         if (!engineName.empty())
         {
@@ -651,7 +651,7 @@ TEST_F(ADIOSSelectionColumnMajorTest, 3D)
 
     // Read data pretending to be a Column-major language
     {
-        adios2::ADIOS adiosF("", "Fortran", true);
+        adios2::ADIOS adiosF("", "Fortran");
         adios2::IO ioRead = adiosF.DeclareIO("TestIORead");
         ioRead.SetEngine("File");
         adios2::Engine engine = ioRead.Open(filename, adios2::Mode::Read);
diff --git a/testing/adios2/engine/bp/TestBPSelectionsOnRowMajorData.cpp b/testing/adios2/engine/bp/TestBPSelectionsOnRowMajorData.cpp
index 7c64a5018e..365c175359 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/engine/bp/TestBPSelectionsOnRowMajorData.cpp
+++ b/testing/adios2/engine/bp/TestBPSelectionsOnRowMajorData.cpp
@@ -339,7 +339,7 @@ TEST_F(ADIOSSelectionRowMajorTest, 2D)
 
     // Read data pretending to be a Column-major language
     {
-        adios2::ADIOS adiosF("", "Fortran", true);
+        adios2::ADIOS adiosF("", "Fortran");
         adios2::IO ioRead = adiosF.DeclareIO("TestIOReadF");
         ioRead.SetEngine("File");
         adios2::Engine engine = ioRead.Open(filename, adios2::Mode::Read);
@@ -836,7 +836,7 @@ TEST_F(ADIOSSelectionRowMajorTest, 3D)
 
     // Read data pretending to be a Column-major language
     {
-        adios2::ADIOS adiosF("", "Fortran", true);
+        adios2::ADIOS adiosF("", "Fortran");
         adios2::IO ioRead = adiosF.DeclareIO("TestIOReadF");
         ioRead.SetEngine("File");
         adios2::Engine engine = ioRead.Open(filename, adios2::Mode::Read);
diff --git a/testing/adios2/engine/bp/TestBPWriteMemorySelectionRead.cpp b/testing/adios2/engine/bp/TestBPWriteMemorySelectionRead.cpp
index 0b1c0a58ad..ef53cefe53 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/engine/bp/TestBPWriteMemorySelectionRead.cpp
+++ b/testing/adios2/engine/bp/TestBPWriteMemorySelectionRead.cpp
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ void BPSteps1D(const size_t ghostCells)
 #if ADIOS2_USE_MPI
     adios2::ADIOS adios(MPI_COMM_WORLD);
 #else
-    adios2::ADIOS adios(true);
+    adios2::ADIOS adios;
 #endif
     {
         adios2::IO io = adios.DeclareIO("WriteIO");
diff --git a/testing/adios2/engine/bp/TestBPWriteReadBlockInfo.cpp b/testing/adios2/engine/bp/TestBPWriteReadBlockInfo.cpp
index 48c20e5017..387086fc73 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/engine/bp/TestBPWriteReadBlockInfo.cpp
+++ b/testing/adios2/engine/bp/TestBPWriteReadBlockInfo.cpp
@@ -839,10 +839,9 @@ TEST_F(BPWriteReadBlockInfo, BPWriteReadBlockInfo1D8_C)
 
     {
 #if ADIOS2_USE_MPI
-        adios2_adios *adiosH =
-            adios2_init(MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on);
+        adios2_adios *adiosH = adios2_init_mpi(MPI_COMM_WORLD);
 #else
-        adios2_adios *adiosH = adios2_init(adios2_debug_mode_on);
+        adios2_adios *adiosH = adios2_init_serial();
 #endif
         adios2_io *ioR = adios2_declare_io(adiosH, "ReadIO");
         if (!engineName.empty())
diff --git a/testing/adios2/engine/staging-common/TestCommonReadF.F90 b/testing/adios2/engine/staging-common/TestCommonReadF.F90
index 72961d5b47..b8f2637921 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/engine/staging-common/TestCommonReadF.F90
+++ b/testing/adios2/engine/staging-common/TestCommonReadF.F90
@@ -79,13 +79,13 @@ program TestSstRead
   call MPI_Comm_size(testComm, isize, ierr)
 
   !Create adios handler passing the communicator, debug mode and error flag
-  call adios2_init(adios, testComm, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+  call adios2_init(adios, testComm, ierr)
 #else
   irank = 0;
   isize = 1;
 
   !Create adios handler passing the debug mode and error flag
-  call adios2_init(adios, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+  call adios2_init(adios, ierr)
 #endif
   !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! READER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   ! Declare io reader
diff --git a/testing/adios2/engine/staging-common/TestCommonWriteF.F90 b/testing/adios2/engine/staging-common/TestCommonWriteF.F90
index 6e3fcaaab0..1ff2821938 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/engine/staging-common/TestCommonWriteF.F90
+++ b/testing/adios2/engine/staging-common/TestCommonWriteF.F90
@@ -99,9 +99,9 @@ program TestSstWrite
 
 #if ADIOS2_USE_MPI
   !Create adios handler passing the communicator, debug mode and error flag
-  call adios2_init(adios, testComm, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+  call adios2_init(adios, testComm, ierr)
 #else
-  call adios2_init(adios, adios2_debug_mode_on, ierr)
+  call adios2_init(adios, ierr)
 #endif
 
 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WRITER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
diff --git a/testing/adios2/interface/TestADIOSDefineAttribute.cpp b/testing/adios2/interface/TestADIOSDefineAttribute.cpp
index cab73fdcb2..9b90e2c67e 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/interface/TestADIOSDefineAttribute.cpp
+++ b/testing/adios2/interface/TestADIOSDefineAttribute.cpp
@@ -15,9 +15,9 @@ class ADIOSDefineAttributeTest : public ::testing::Test
 public:
 #if ADIOS2_USE_MPI
     ADIOSDefineAttributeTest()
-    : adios(MPI_COMM_WORLD, true), io(adios.DeclareIO("TestIO"))
+    : adios(MPI_COMM_WORLD), io(adios.DeclareIO("TestIO"))
 #else
-    ADIOSDefineAttributeTest() : adios(true), io(adios.DeclareIO("TestIO"))
+    ADIOSDefineAttributeTest() : adios(), io(adios.DeclareIO("TestIO"))
 #endif
     {
     }
diff --git a/testing/adios2/interface/TestADIOSDefineVariable.cpp b/testing/adios2/interface/TestADIOSDefineVariable.cpp
index f724151e21..24f00fa54e 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/interface/TestADIOSDefineVariable.cpp
+++ b/testing/adios2/interface/TestADIOSDefineVariable.cpp
@@ -13,9 +13,9 @@ class ADIOSDefineVariableTest : public ::testing::Test
 public:
 #if ADIOS2_USE_MPI
     ADIOSDefineVariableTest()
-    : adios(MPI_COMM_WORLD, true), io(adios.DeclareIO("TestIO"))
+    : adios(MPI_COMM_WORLD), io(adios.DeclareIO("TestIO"))
 #else
-    ADIOSDefineVariableTest() : adios(true), io(adios.DeclareIO("TestIO"))
+    ADIOSDefineVariableTest() : adios(), io(adios.DeclareIO("TestIO"))
 #endif
     {
     }
diff --git a/testing/adios2/interface/TestADIOSInterfaceWrite.cpp b/testing/adios2/interface/TestADIOSInterfaceWrite.cpp
index 20efe62899..3d23262a88 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/interface/TestADIOSInterfaceWrite.cpp
+++ b/testing/adios2/interface/TestADIOSInterfaceWrite.cpp
@@ -12,11 +12,11 @@ class ADIOSInterfaceWriteTest : public ::testing::Test
 public:
 #if ADIOS2_USE_MPI
     ADIOSInterfaceWriteTest()
-    : adios(MPI_COMM_SELF, true), io(adios.DeclareIO("TestIO"))
+    : adios(MPI_COMM_SELF), io(adios.DeclareIO("TestIO"))
     {
     }
 #else
-    ADIOSInterfaceWriteTest() : adios(true), io(adios.DeclareIO("TestIO")) {}
+    ADIOSInterfaceWriteTest() : adios(), io(adios.DeclareIO("TestIO")) {}
 #endif
 
 protected:
diff --git a/testing/adios2/performance/manyvars/PerfManyVars.c b/testing/adios2/performance/manyvars/PerfManyVars.c
index cc2635624e..ff33676473 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/performance/manyvars/PerfManyVars.c
+++ b/testing/adios2/performance/manyvars/PerfManyVars.c
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     }
 
     alloc_vars();
-    adios2_adios *adiosH = adios2_init(MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on);
+    adios2_adios *adiosH = adios2_init_mpi(MPI_COMM_WORLD);
     ioW = adios2_declare_io(adiosH, "multiblockwrite"); // group for writing
     ioR = adios2_declare_io(adiosH, "multiblockread");  // group for reading
     set_gdim();
diff --git a/testing/adios2/performance/manyvars/TestManyVars.cpp b/testing/adios2/performance/manyvars/TestManyVars.cpp
index 93e0d4bdf2..9e6cc7874b 100644
--- a/testing/adios2/performance/manyvars/TestManyVars.cpp
+++ b/testing/adios2/performance/manyvars/TestManyVars.cpp
@@ -252,10 +252,9 @@ class TestManyVars : public ::testing::TestWithParam<RunParams>
 
         alloc_vars();
 #if ADIOS2_USE_MPI
-        adios2_adios *adiosH =
-            adios2_init(MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on);
+        adios2_adios *adiosH = adios2_init_mpi(MPI_COMM_WORLD);
 #else
-        adios2_adios *adiosH = adios2_init(adios2_debug_mode_on);
+        adios2_adios *adiosH = adios2_init_serial();
 #endif
 
         ioW = adios2_declare_io(adiosH, "multiblockwrite"); // group for writing
diff --git a/testing/install/C/main_mpi.c b/testing/install/C/main_mpi.c
index add168491e..9341094fe9 100644
--- a/testing/install/C/main_mpi.c
+++ b/testing/install/C/main_mpi.c
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 {
     MPI_Init(&argc, &argv);
 
-    adios2_adios *adios = adios2_init(MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on);
+    adios2_adios *adios = adios2_init_mpi(MPI_COMM_WORLD);
     if (!adios)
     {
         fprintf(stderr, "adios2_init() failed\n");
diff --git a/testing/install/C/main_nompi.c b/testing/install/C/main_nompi.c
index 82ebd70f96..57899d0624 100644
--- a/testing/install/C/main_nompi.c
+++ b/testing/install/C/main_nompi.c
@@ -13,10 +13,10 @@
 
 int main(void)
 {
-    adios2_adios *adios = adios2_init(adios2_debug_mode_on);
+    adios2_adios *adios = adios2_init_serial();
     if (!adios)
     {
-        fprintf(stderr, "adios2_init() failed\n");
+        fprintf(stderr, "adios2_init_serial() failed\n");
         return 1;
     }
     adios2_finalize(adios);
diff --git a/testing/utils/cwriter/TestUtilsCWriter.c b/testing/utils/cwriter/TestUtilsCWriter.c
index f6aeeb8259..fc1779f2d1 100644
--- a/testing/utils/cwriter/TestUtilsCWriter.c
+++ b/testing/utils/cwriter/TestUtilsCWriter.c
@@ -27,9 +27,9 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
     MPI_Init(&argc, &argv);
     MPI_Comm_rank(MPI_COMM_WORLD, &rank);
     MPI_Comm_size(MPI_COMM_WORLD, &nproc);
-    adios2_adios *adiosH = adios2_init(MPI_COMM_WORLD, adios2_debug_mode_on);
+    adios2_adios *adiosH = adios2_init_mpi(MPI_COMM_WORLD);
 #else
-    adios2_adios *adiosH = adios2_init(adios2_debug_mode_on);
+    adios2_adios *adiosH = adios2_init_serial();
 #endif
 
     char engineName[32] = "BPFile";