[[TracNav(TOC)]]

[[Image(apps-collage.png, align=right)]]

= Welcome to rasdaman! =

This is the website of the rasdaman project.
Rasdaman ("''__ras__ter __da__ta __man__ager''") is an '''array database system''' (also called "raster database system"). It allows to retrieve and maintain '''multi-dimensional [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Array arrays]''' of unlimited size stored in standard relational databases through an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sql SQL]-style query language. The information category "array" appears - as '''sensor, image, or statistics data''' - in manifold [wiki:ApplicationDomains applications], such as '''earth sciences, space sciences, life sciences, engineering, and multimedia'''.

Rasdaman allows to quickly set up array-intensive [wiki:Features services] which are distinguished by their speed, flexibility, and scalability; see also this [wiki:WhyRasdaman comparison].
In conjunction with the petascope package implementing OGC standards, rasdaman represents the most powerful, flexible, and scalable geo raster server available.


The petascope plug-in to rasdaman, which is part of the distribution, offers '''high-performance, flexible, and scalable services''' on '''multi-dimensional geo raster data'''.
Its Web services provide access to original or derived sets of geospatial raster information, in forms that are useful for client-side rendering, input into scientific models, and other client applications.
Interfaces are strictly based on the open, interoperable standards of the [http://www.opengeospatial.org Open GeoSpatial Consortium] (OGC).
Petascope implements all standards contained in the [wiki:WCSSuiteOverview WCS suite] for gridded [http://www.opengeospatial.org/ogc/glossary/c coverages], i.e., raster data:
   * the [http://www.opengeospatial.org/standards/wcs Web Coverage Service (WCS) Standard] for '''simple data subsetting'''.
   * the [http://www.opengeospatial.org/standards/wcps Web Coverage Processing Service (WCPS) Standard] which defines a '''language for the extraction, processing, and analysis of raster data'''; !PetaScope is the WCPS reference implementation.
   * the [http://www.opengeospatial.org/standards/wcps WCS Transaction Extension (WCS-T) Standard] for '''updating raster data''' offered by a WCS-conformant service.
Further information about WPCS can be found in the [wiki:Introduction introduction] and at the [http://www.ogcnetwork.net/wcps WCPS Service page] of the [http://www.ogcnetwork.net/ OGC Network].

[http://www.earthlook.org EarthLook] is a demonstration site showcasing rasdaman and petascope in a variety of 1-D to 4-D geo use cases.


== Commercial Support ==

A dedicated research spin-off company, [http://www.rasdaman.com rasdaman GmbH], provides software enhancements, expert consultancy, participation in projects, and joint ventures on a commercial basis to foster widespread use of rasdaman. 

== PS: Greetings to all [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rastafari_movement rastafarians]! ''wha'ppen, man?'' ==