The API itself provides a quick and extremely permissive method to read and write VCF files.
Extensions and applications of the library provided in the included utilities (*.cpp) comprise the vast bulk of the library's utility for most users.
## download and install
1. Under the repository name, click to copy the clone URL for the repository. 
2. Go to the location where you want the cloned directory to be made: `cd <PathWhereIWantToCloneVcflib>`
3. Type `git clone --recursive`, and then paste the URL you copied in Step 1.
4. Enter the cloned directory and type `make` to compile the programs. If you want to use threading type `make openmp` instead of `make`. Only a few VCFLIB tools are threaded.
5. Once make is finished the executables are ready in the folder `<PathWhereIWantToCloneVcflib>/vcflib/bin/`. Set this path as an environment variable in the .bashrc file to access executables form everywhere on your proile OR call the executables from the path where they are.
## usage
vcflib provides a variety of functions for VCF manipulation: