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Accessing Data

DANDI provides multiple ways to access data stored in the archive. This page provides an overview of the different methods available for accessing data from Dandisets.

Access Methods Overview

DANDI offers several methods for accessing data, each suited to different use cases:

  1. Web Interface: Browse and download individual files directly from the DANDI web application.
  2. DANDI CLI: Command-line tool for downloading entire Dandisets or specific files.
  3. DataLad: Access Dandisets as Git repositories with DataLad for version control and reproducibility.
  4. WebDAV: Access DANDI data using standard WebDAV clients.
  5. DANDI Hub: Analyze data directly in the cloud using Jupyter notebooks.
  6. Programmatic Access: Access data programmatically using the DANDI API through Python or other languages.

Choosing the Right Access Method

The best method for accessing data depends on your specific needs:

Data Access Considerations

When accessing data from DANDI, consider the following:

  • Data Size: Large datasets may be better accessed using the DANDI CLI or DataLad rather than the web interface.
  • Bandwidth: For users with limited bandwidth, consider using DANDI Hub to analyze data in the cloud.
  • Reproducibility: DataLad provides version control and reproducibility features that are valuable for scientific workflows.
  • Streaming: For large files, streaming access may be more efficient than downloading entire files.

Next Steps

Explore the following pages for detailed information on each access method:

  • Downloading Data: Learn how to download data using the web interface, DANDI CLI, DataLad, or WebDAV.
  • Streaming Data: Learn how to stream data without downloading entire files.
  • External Services: Learn about external services that can be used to access and analyze DANDI data.
  • DANDI Hub: Learn how to use DANDI Hub for cloud-based analysis.