dcraw is an open-source computer program which is able to read numerous raw image format files, typically produced by mid-range and high-end digital cameras.

A number of other image processing programs use dcraw internally to enable them to read raw files.

[4] Given this ever-expanding plethora of raw image formats, and uncertain and inconsistent support for them by the manufacturers, many photographers worry that their valuable raw images may become unreadable as the applications and operating systems required become obsolete.

In contrast to proprietary decoding software, dcraw strives for simplicity, portability, and consistency, as expressed by its author:So here is my mission: Write and maintain an ANSI C program that decodes any raw image from any digital camera on any computer running any operating system.Because many raw image formats are specific to one make or model of camera, dcraw is frequently updated to support new models.

For many proprietary raw image formats, dcraw's source code (based largely on reverse-engineering) is the best—or only—publicly available documentation.