BioLib is a C and C++ library that aims to provide common bioinformatics functionality to multiple bioinformatics programming languages like BioPerl, BioJava, and BioPython in order to prevent duplication of efforts given the limited number of contributing bioinformatics programmers. The BioLib project seeks to create a 'kernel' of reusable software for bioinformatics by initially focusing on sequence analysis, structure prediction, and biological database access.

1. Introducing BioLib
C and C++ libraries for BioPerl, BioJAVA,
BioPython, BioRuby. . .
Pjotr Prins (pjotr.prins at wur.nl)
Bioinformatics Open Source Conference 2008
Introducing BioLib – p. 1

2. The problem
No Bio* language is clearly superior - all have
strengths and weaknesses
No language clearly dominates, at this point
Meanwhile:
Limited pool of talented and contributing
programmers (50 globally?)
Duplication of effort in all Bio* efforts
Introducing BioLib – p. 2

3. Solutions
Option 1: Ignore and continue
(or head-less chicken scenario)
Option 2: Prevent duplication of effort
(BioLib initiative; Biohackthon Tokyo, 2008)
Introducing BioLib – p. 3