Nova: A library for rapid development of mass spectrometry software applications

Abstract

Nova is a software library for the reading, writing, and management of mass spectrometry data natively in the C# language. It complements similar software libraries ubiquitously used in application development for C++, Python, and Java. Few software libraries and resources for mass spectrometry data analysis have been developed for C# relative to other languages. C#, however, remains the dominant language of choice for development of real time mass spectrometry (RTMS) analysis and instrument control applications, illustrating the need for native C# libraries when developing RTMS software. Nova provides fast, easy-to-use structures and classes built upon interfaces that support open community standards, and are easily extensible for current or future mass spectrometry software development needs.