BamView

BamView, latest version 1.1, offers a remarkable solution for users needing an interactive display of read alignments in BAM data files. Developed by the Sanger Institute, this open source software belongs to the Photo & Graphics category, particularly under the Viewers & Editors subcategory.

This application stands out due to its ability to effectively display read alignments and mappings. As its name suggests, BamView reads BAM files, granted these files have been sorted and indexed using SAMtools. BamView necessitates Java 1.6, leveraging the Java bindings (Picard) to process the BAM files accurately.

The free nature of BamView is a significant advantage for users who require robust software for their genomic data analysis without incurring any cost. By allowing users to download and use its comprehensive features at no charge, BamView is a suitable and accessible tool for many in the bioinformatics community.

Other versions of BamView such as 6.0, and 1.1 demonstrate the program's growth and continuous improvement over time. The Sanger Institute has ensured that each release brings enhancements and more refined functionalities.

Pros:

• Interactive display of read alignments, making genomic data analysis more intuitive.
• Open source license, which means it’s cost-free and community-driven.
• Compatibility with BAM files sorted and indexed by SAMtools, adding to its usability.

You may want to check out more software, such as Montagne, ZoomMagic or PP3 Private Album, which might be similar to BamView.