libLAS is a

library A library is a collection of materials, books or media that are accessible for use and not just for display purposes. A library provides physical (hard copies) or digital access (soft copies) materials, and may be a physical location or a vir ...

for reading and writing geospatial data encoded in the ASPRS laser (LAS) file format, versions 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2. LAS-formatted data is heavily used in

lidar Lidar (, also LIDAR, or LiDAR; sometimes LADAR) is a method for determining ranges (variable distance) by targeting an object or a surface with a laser and measuring the time for the reflected light to return to the receiver. It can also be ...

processing operations. The LAS format is a sequential binary format used to store data from sensors and as intermediate processing storage by some applications. libLAS software consists of base library with multiple

application programming interface An application programming interface (API) is a way for two or more computer programs to communicate with each other. It is a type of software interface, offering a service to other pieces of software. A document or standard that describes how t ...

s available for

programming language A programming language is a system of notation for writing computer programs. Most programming languages are text-based formal languages, but they may also be graphical. They are a kind of computer language. The description of a programming ...

s like C, C++,

Python Python may refer to: Snakes * Pythonidae, a family of nonvenomous snakes found in Africa, Asia, and Australia ** ''Python'' (genus), a genus of Pythonidae found in Africa and Asia * Python (mythology), a mythical serpent Computing * Python (pro ...

as well as languages available in

.NET Framework The .NET Framework (pronounced as "''dot net"'') is a proprietary software framework developed by Microsoft that runs primarily on Microsoft Windows. It was the predominant implementation of the Common Language Infrastructure (CLI) until bein ...

and

Mono Mono may refer to: Common meanings * Infectious mononucleosis, "the kissing disease" * Monaural, monophonic sound reproduction, often shortened to mono * Mono-, a numerical prefix representing anything single Music Performers * Mono (Japanese b ...

. Also, a variety of useful command-line

utilities A public utility company (usually just utility) is an organization that maintains the infrastructure for a public service (often also providing a service using that infrastructure). Public utilities are subject to forms of public control and r ...

is provided for translating LAS files from one version of the LAS format to another, inspecting header information, and translating LAS data to and from text. Initial development of libLAS software was supported by the

Iowa Geological Survey Iowa () is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States, bordered by the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west. It is bordered by six states: Wiscon ...

of the Iowa DNR for use in its statewide lidar project.

External links

libLAS homepageLAStools
developed by Martin Isenburg and Jonathan Shewchuk

with link to specification, at ASPRS web site {{DEFAULTSORT:Liblas C++ libraries Free computer libraries Free GIS software Free software programmed in C++ Lidar