sci-geosciences libdap is a C++ implementation of OPeNDAP which allows access to data over the internet, from programs that weren't originally designed for that purpose, as well as some that were. While OPeNDAP is the original developer of the Data Access Protocol (DAP) which it's software uses, many other groups have adopted DAP and provide compatible clients, servers and software development kits. DAP is a NASA community standard: http://www.esdswg.org/spg/rfc/ese-rfc-004