Data files are external datasets converted into use for Geant4 that contain information on cross-sections and particle interactions, often from empirical sources. Generally speaking, the versions that come with Geant4.x.x are those that should be used.

This section is a collection of side-by-side differences of some of the changes of the expected data files for several versions of Geant4 that I have tested, and some of the major changes between versions relating to sub-200 MeV physics. This is not extensive, but can be used as a reference point to understand what needs to be checked.

Contents Links:

Version Numbers

Expected Effects

Advanced Use

The following table is a collection of the version numbers of the datasets that is expected by Geant4

Name: Geant4.10.1: Geant4.10.4: Geant4.10.6: Geant4.10.7:
G4ABLA 3.0 3.1 <- <-
G4EMLOW 6.4.1 7.3 7.9.1 7.13
G4ENSDFSTATE 1.0 2.2 <- 2.3
G4NDL 4.5 <- 4.6 <-
G4NEUTRONXS 1.4 <- N/A (see PARTICLEXS) <-
G4PARTICLEXS [1] N/A N/A 2.1 3.1.1
G4PhotonEvaporation 3.1 5.2 5.5 5.7
G4PII 1.3 <- <- <-
G4RadioactiveDecay 4.2 5.2 5.4 5.6
G4RealSurface 1.0 [4] 2.1.1 <- 2.2
G4SAIDDATA 1.1 <- 2.0 <-
G4INCL [2] N/A N/A 1.0 <-
G4TENDL [3] N/A N/A 1.3.2 [5] <-

Legend:

The latest data files contain certain updates and bug fixes, however the table shows the data versions which each Geant4 version was validated with internally. Using newer versions does not necessarily pose an issue, but I cannot confirm how valid they may be. Some package versions are expected by Geant4 and so 'mix & matching' may not be feasible regardless.

The following are updates/changes related to low energy physcis (non-extensive, does not include discussion on bug fixes, please check Release and Patch Notes for specifics). Also a comment on things that were added/fixed between 4.10.6.p03 and 4.10.7.p01 to be aware of.

Name: Changes in Geant4.10.6 datasets since Geant4.10.1 datasets: Changes in Geant4.10.7 datasets since Geant4.10.6:
G4ABLA Updated to ABLA-07 model --
G4EMLOW Added double differential probability of e+/- pairs produced by muons & hadrons, updated cross-sections, new files in Livermore module, upgraded multiple-scattering model, epics2014 gamma conversion New proton cross-sections, epics2017 gamma conversion, new methods for e+/- elastic scattering,
G4ENSDFSTATE Corrections to data-base, updated to 2015 ENSDF input data New datafiles for nuclide properties
G4NDL New n cross-sections and final states --
G4NEUTRONXS -- --
G4PARTICLEXS [1] Updated cross-sections for low Z targets at low energy, added neutrino data, smoother cross-section for n,p,d,t,He3,He4 Smoother cross-sections and fixed fusion cross-sections, fixed He3 and He4 data for light targets
G4PhotonEvaporation Fixed files and corrections Updated files
G4PII -- --
G4RadioactiveDecay Updated 9Li and 8He decays, corrected capture data and energy levels, updated data, added alpha decay line Updates and corrections
G4RealSurface Updated and more compact, support of DAVIS model, --
G4SAIDDATA Updated data for in/elastic p,n,pi,k Data compression
G4INCL -- --
G4TENDL Fixed cross-sections, new data files for some hadronic interactions, updated to TENDL-2014 data --

Advanced: Nonetheless, if you want to implement your own set up, all package versions can be obtained with 

wget geant4-data.web.cern.ch/datasets/G4{package_name}.{version_number}.tar.gz
# i.e `wget geant4-data.web.cern.ch/datasets/G4INCL.1.0.tar.gz

You may instead choose to download the latest supported datasets according to Geant4 by rebuilding with the build option -DGEANT4_INSTALL_DATA=ON.

While TENDL is built automatically in the QGSP_BIC_AllHP reference physics list, you may build it on any physics list at the build phase with -DGEANT4_INSTALL_TENDL=ON, in case changing the path for Proton physics (as is suggested in the documentation) does not work (as in my case...).