outputbedGraph

outputbedGraph refers to bedGraph-formatted data produced as output by a genomic data analysis workflow. bedGraph is a simple, plain-text format used to display a continuous-valued signal across genomes, such as read coverage, expression estimates, or ChIP-seq intensity. An outputbedGraph file typically contains four tab-delimited columns: chromosome, start, end, and the numeric value for that interval. Start positions are 0-based and inclusive, end positions are exclusive, following the BED coordinate convention. Values may be integer or floating-point, depending on the source data. Data are often sorted by chromosome and start position to enable correct visualization in genome browsers such as UCSC Genome Browser or IGV. A track line with browser directives may precede the data, but it is optional.

In practice, outputbedGraph is generated by pipelines that compute a signal along the genome and emit one line per interval. Common sources include per-base or per-window coverage, enrichment scores, or continuous experimental signals. Tools and workflows used to produce bedGraph output include bedtools genomecov with the -bg option, deepTools utilities such as bamCoverage in bedGraph mode, and custom scripting. Because bedGraph files are plain text and can be large, users frequently convert them to indexed binary formats such as bigWig to improve performance during visualization and access.

Key considerations for outputbedGraph datasets include ensuring proper sorting, matching chromosome naming conventions, and validating that coordinates align with the reference genome. When prepared correctly, outputbedGraph enables straightforward visualization and downstream analysis of genome-wide continuous signals.