text: user12383: I wanted information regarding which format is considered the most raw from an illumina sequencer ? 
  
  fasta
  fastq
  bcl
  bam 
  As per my research it should be bcl but I am not sure.
  
  
  user4885: BCL (binary base call) files are the most raw data that you will likely get. As a matter of fact, the images taken by the machine each cycle are even more raw but it makes no sense to interact with this data directly. The base calls are derived from counting the spots (clusters) on the images.
  For any useful application you would convert them to fastq (e.g. using illumina bcl2fastq).
  What is the goal of your question? Do you suspect some problems with your data?
  Adding this information will make it easier to interpret what kind of answer you are looking for - and less likely that your question is downvoted.
  
original_text: 12383: <p>I wanted information regarding which format is considered the most raw from an illumina sequencer ? <Br></p>
  <ol>
  <li>fasta</li>
  <li>fastq</li>
  <li>bcl</li>
  <li>bam <br>
  As per my research it should be <strong>bcl</strong> but I am not sure.</li>
  </ol>
   4885: <p>BCL (binary base call) files are the most raw data that you will likely get. As a matter of fact, the images taken by the machine each cycle are even more raw but it makes no sense to interact with this data directly. The base calls are derived from counting the spots (clusters) on the images.</p>
  <p>For any useful application you would convert them to fastq (e.g. using illumina <code>bcl2fastq</code>).</p>
  <p>What is the goal of your question? Do you suspect some problems with your data?<br />
  Adding this information will make it easier to interpret what kind of answer you are looking for - and less likely that your question is downvoted.</p>
  