---
name: "bp_fetch"
section: "1p"
platform: "linux"
package: "bioperl"
version: "1.7.8-1"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/bp_fetch"
---

# bp\_fetch(1p)

fetches sequences from bioperl indexed databases

## NAME

bp\_fetch.pl - fetches sequences from bioperl indexed databases

## SYNOPSIS

```
  bp_fetch.pl swiss:ROA1_HUMAN
  bp_fetch.pl net::genbank:JX295726
  bp_fetch.pl net::genpept:ROA1_HUMAN
  bp_fetch.pl ace::myserver.somewhere.edu,21000:X56676
  bp_fetch.pl -fmt GCG swiss:ROA1_HUMAN
```

## DESCRIPTION

Fetches sequences using the DB access systems in Bioperl. The most common use of this is to bp\_fetch sequences from bioperl indices built using bpindex.pl, or to fetch sequences from the NCBI website

The format for retrieving sequences is delibrately like the GCG/EMBOSS format like the following:

```
  db:name
```

with the potential of putting in a 'meta' database type, being

```
  meta::db:name
```

The meta information can be one of three types

```
  local - local indexed flat file database
  net   - networked http: based database
  ace   - ACeDB database
```

This information defaults to 'local' for database names with no meta db information

## OPTIONS

```
  -fmt  <format> - Output format
                   Fasta (default), EMBL, Raw, swiss or GCG
  -acc           - string is an accession number, not an
                   id.
```

options only for expert use

```
  -dir  <dir>    - directory to find the index files
                  (overrides BIOPERL_INDEX environment variable)
  -type <type>   - type of DBM file to open
                  (overrides BIOPERL_INDEX_TYPE environment variable)
```

## ENVIRONMENT

bp\_index and bp\_fetch coordinate where the databases lie using the environment variable BIOPERL\_INDEX. This can be overridden using the -dir option. The index type (SDBM or DB\_File or another index file) is controlled by the BIOPERL\_INDEX\_TYPE variable. This defaults to SDBM\_File

## USING IT YOURSELF

bp\_fetch is a wrapper around the bioperl modules which support the Bio::DB::BioSeqI abstract interface. These include:

```
  Author          Code
  James Gilbert - Fasta indexer, Abstract indexer
  Aaron Mackay  - GenBank and GenPept DB access
  Ewan Birney   - EMBL .dat indexer
  Many people   - SeqIO code
```

These modules can be used directly, which is far better than using this script as a system call or a pipe to read from. Read the source code for bp\_fetch to see how it is used.

## EXTENDING IT

bp\_fetch uses a number of different modules to provide access to databases. Any module which subscribes to the Bio::DB::BioSeqI interface can be used here. For flat file indexers, this is best done by extending Bio::Index::Abstract, as is done in Bio::Index::EMBL and Bio::Index::Fasta. For access to other databases you will need to roll your own interface.

For new output formats, you need to add a new SeqIO module. The easiest thing is to look at Bio::SeqIO::Fasta and figure out how to hack it for your own format (call it something different obviously).

## FEEDBACK

### Mailing Lists

User feedback is an integral part of the evolution of this and other Bioperl modules. Send your comments and suggestions preferably to the Bioperl mailing list.  Your participation is much appreciated.

```
  bioperl-l@bioperl.org                  - General discussion
  http://bioperl.org/wiki/Mailing_lists  - About the mailing lists
```

### Reporting Bugs

Report bugs to the Bioperl bug tracking system to help us keep track of the bugs and their resolution. Bug reports can be submitted via the web:

```
  https://github.com/bioperl/bioperl-live/issues
```

## AUTHOR

Ewan Birney \<birney@ebi.ac.uk\>