title: The Ensembl core software libraries.
abstract: Systems for managing genomic data must store a vast quantity of information. Ensembl stores these data in several MySQL databases. The core software libraries provide a practical and effective means for programmers to access these data. By encapsulating the underlying database structure, the libraries present end users with a simple, abstract interface to a complex data model. Programs that use the libraries rather than SQL to access the data are unaffected by most schema changes. The architecture of the core software libraries, the schema, and the factors influencing their design are described. All code and data are freely available.
authors.affiliation: EMBL European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SD, UK.
authors.forename: Arne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stabenau
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McVicker
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Melsopp
authors.forename: Glenn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Proctor
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clamp
authors.forename: Ewan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Birney
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019295:Computational Biology; D030541:Databases, Genetic; D006801:Humans; D012984:Software; D012985:Software Design