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1.5 NCSA HDF Command-Line Utilities and Visualization Tools
HDF application software fall within the following three categories:
- 1. The Fortran-77 and C APIs described above.
- 2. Scientific visualization and analysis tools that read and write HDF files.
- 3. Command-line utilities that operate directly on HDF files.
Scientific visualization and analysis software that can read and write HDF files is available. This software includes NCSA tools such as Collage, user-developed software, and commercial packages. The use of HDF files guarantees the interoperability of the such tools. Some tools operate on raster images, others on color palettes. Some use images, others color palettes, still others data and annotations, and so forth. HDF provides the range of data types that these tools need, in a format that allows different tools with different data requirements to operate on the same files without confusion.
The HDF command-line utilities are application programs that can be executed by entering them at the command prompt, like UNIX commands. They make it possible for you to perform common operations on HDF files for which you would normally have to write your own program. The HDF utilities are described in detail in Chapter 13, titled HDF Command-Line Utilities.
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HDF User's Guide - 06/04/97, NCSA HDF
Development Group.