[gdal-dev] Use of the virtual dataset/rasterband

[Frank Warmerdam]

Paul Selormey wrote:
> Hello,
> Anybody at home?

Paul,

Yes, somebody somewhere is at home. In fact, even I am.

> What is the use of the dataset/rasterband objects?

...

> Sorry, I mean the virtual dataset object (it contains some stuff
> relating to XML), but I could not get the purpose of the dataset.

The virtual dataset "format" is a way of writing an XML description of a
dataset where the image data is derived from other GDAL supported datasets.
It has a number of potential uses including:

o A way of creating a dataset with different, or complete metadata without
copying image data.

o A mechanism to merge bands from many files into one.

o A way to create a subsetted dataset (without copying image).

o A way to build a virtual mosaic from a set of data files.

Best regards,

-- 
---------------------------------------+--------------------------------------
I set the clouds in motion - turn up | Frank Warmerdam, warmerdam at p...
light and sound - activate the windows | http://pobox.com/~warmerdam
and watch the world go round - Rush | Geospatial Programmer for Rent