DataLad Extensions

DataLad is not just a single software package. Numerous extension packages can equip the base package with additional functionality, or even tailor and tune the way the base package works.

DataLad extensions are shipped as separate Python packages. The installation is typically done with standard Python package managers, such as pip. For some extensions it may be necessary to perform additional set up steps in order to become fully functional.

Here is a list of available extension packages for the DataLad software:

Additional DataLad extensions found on PyPi may represent other community packages and/or packages that are deprecated, unmaintained, and/or archived.

Subsections of DataLad Extensions

datalad-catalog extension

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This is a DataLad extension that allows you to automatically generate a user-friendly data browser from structured metadata.

datalad-crawler extension

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This is a DataLad extension that allows you to crawl external web resources into an automated data distribution. It provides functionality for tracking data on a website and make its files available on a local machine, as well as for querying for potential updates to the website and obtaining any changes.

datalad-dataverse extension

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This extension provides interoperability with Dataverse to support data transport (along with full version history) to and from Dataverse instances.

Dataverse is an open source research data repository software that is deployed all over the world. It supports sharing, preserving, citing, exploring, and analyzing research data with descriptive metadata, and thus contributes greatly to open, reproducible, and FAIR science.

datalad-fuse extension

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This is a DataLad extension that allows for reading files in a DataLad dateset from their remote web URLs without having to download them in their entirety first. Instead, fsspec is used to sparsely download and locally cache the files as needed.

datalad-gooey extension

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This extension provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for DataLad, making key data management tasks more accessible and convenient, without requiring familiarity with the command line. This simplified interface to DataLad is built on a foundation that is capable of providing GUIs for any DataLad command, including those provided by extension packages. Moreover, extension packages can even provide their own GUI suites, by mixing and tuning a custom set of commands and parameters. DataLad Gooey is compatible with all major operating systems.

datalad-metalad extension

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This extension equips DataLad with an alternative command suite and advanced tooling for metadata handling (extraction, aggregation, filtering, and reporting).

datalad-neuroimaging extension

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This extension enhances DataLad for working with neuroimaging data and workflows. It provides metadata extraction support for a range of standards common to neuroimaging data.

datalad-next extension

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This DataLad extension can be thought of as a staging area for additional functionality, or for improved performance and user experience. Unlike other topical or more experimental extensions, the focus here is on functionality with broad applicability. This extension is a suitable dependency for other software packages that intend to build on this improved set of functionality.

Find datalad-next in the Helmholtz Research Software Directory

datalad-ukbiobank extension

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This extension equips DataLad with a set of commands to obtain, monitor, and restructure imaging data releases of the UKBiobank. It is designed to download MRI bulk data, track additions/redactions/fixes from the UK Biobank, and (optionally) restructure into BIDS layout.

UKBiobank is a national and international health resource with unparalleled research opportunities, open to all bona fide health researchers. UKBiobank aims to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of serious and life-threatening illnesses – including cancer, heart diseases, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, eye disorders, depression and forms of dementia. It is following the health and well-being of 500,000 volunteer participants and provides health information, which does not identify participants, to approved researchers in the UK and overseas, from academia and industry.

datalad-xnat extension

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This extension packages equips DataLad with a set of commands to track XNAT projects.

XNAT is an open source imaging informatics platform developed by the Neuroinformatics Research Group at Washington University. It facilitates common management, productivity, and quality assurance tasks for imaging and associated data. XNAT can be used to support a wide range of neuro/medical imaging-based projects.