since 2000
All about BCL Files
The BCL file type is primarily associated with FASTQ.
What is a BCL file?
BCL files mostly belong to FASTQ by Illumina. BCL files are created and used by DNA sequencing instruments, HiSeq and MiSeq that are developed by Illumina.
- Main Features: Primary Analysis of a DNA sample is performed using Illumina sequencing instruments to gauge the channels' intensity in encoding various bases and subsequently establish the base (this is called a base call) with the highest likelihood (called Q score) at a particular position in the sample sequence. During each such sequencing cycle, the Real-Time Analysis (RTA) software from Illumina machine creates a BCL file containing the information of these base calls and associated quality values (Q scores). The data in these BCL files is stored in a binary format and is representative of the raw data output during each run sequence. The process that generates BCL files is very efficient since each base calling is separately recorded by the machine before proceeding further.
- Adoption: Software such as Casava,bcl2fastq, Eland and iSAAC aligner are used for further analysis of these raw BCL files by converting them into a structured form and saved with FASTQ file extension. FASTQ format is a text-based sequence format that saves the raw-sequence information and quality scores.
How to open BCL files
You need a suitable software like FASTQ to open a BCL file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your BCL file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a BCL file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.
Online BCL Text Viewer
or drag and drop it here
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Programs that open and convert BCL files:
- FASTQ by Illumina
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. BCL files are often referred to as FASTQ data files because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
- Casava (base call data file) by IlluminaThe extension BCL belongs to the files generated by HiSeq and MiSeq, the DNA sequencing instruments of Illumina. These kinds of files can be read and analyzed using CASAVA, an application developed by Illumina. This file format is classified as Data. Related links: Illumina CASAVA Documentation, CASAVA information
- PDP-10 (compiler source file) by Digital Equipment CorporationThe PDP-10 was a mainframe computer manufactured by Digital Equipment Corporation. The file extension BCL is associated with this computer and it stores the data sources for the compiler. This file format is classified as Data. Related links: Wikipedia PDP-10 Page
Technical Data for BCL File Extension
File classification:
Data
Related links:
The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.
ProgramID: BestAddress.CodeLibrary, FileType: BestAddress Code Library
a bcl base call data file is a special file format by Illumina and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.
How to solve problems with BCL files
- Associate the BCL file extension with the correct application.
- Update your software that should actually open base call data files. Because only the current version supports the latest BCL file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Illumina manufacturer website after an available FASTQ update.
- To make sure that your BCL file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
- Click here to open your .BCL file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.