libcdaudio is a multi-platform CD player development library which works with Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, Solaris, and Irix. It includes a basic command set for controlling the operation of the CD-ROM drive as well as functions for accessing both the CDDB, CD Index, and Cover Art Index.

The CD Database (CDDB) is currently managed by Escient, Inc. libcdaudio is not licensed to use this database and most likely never will be. It is recommened that all programs wishing to specifically use CDDB data use the FreeDB, which works well with libcdaudio.

The CD Index is a rethought track information mangement system that uses SQL servers to manage the data. This is another track information method libcdaudio is capable of using.

The Cover Art Index provides a method of locating cover art for a particular CD based upon the disc's name or CD Index ID.

The entire libcdaudio API may be found in the libcdaudio programmer's manual. The interface to the given functions will remain as they are specified, although new functions may continue to be added.