An IDL newsgroup first: Live Blogging! from the IDL User's Group meeting, 24 Feb 2010, Boulder, CO.
Kirk Bennel, Chief Technology Officer, "the best release we have had in the last 10 years, maybe even ever." I think he may be right about this. It *is* exciting.
"Expect to see not just marketing people, but people who build the product on the road, talking to customers."
It wasn't a dream, which is what I thought when I woke up this morning. IDL 8 really does have new graphics programs that will change everything about how graphics are created and used in IDL. Bill says, "Power of object graphics, in an easy to use syntax." YES!! Even scientists will be able to use these routines. And better yet, half the Coyote Library can be retired forever.
Language enhancements:
!NULL arrays, scalars, etc. Object garbage collection (reference counted) List and Hash variables FOREACH operator Negative array indices ISA function Operator overloading (Yikes!)
Graphics
Simple, direct graphics like syntax for producing object graphics plots. YEAH!!!! Not everything here in this realize, but lots of it is
Workbench
Simplified the interface. Have gone back to combined command line/console. Simple, unclutter look, with toolbar functionality (that can be shrunk or hidden). Looks very nice.
Help System
Revamped again! But maybe this time they have it right, or mostly right. More emphasis on examples (click and run).
Other
DIMENSION keyword for Mean and Moment New plot symbols. Integrated PDF output. (Not ready yet, but will be there by release (May?)
Beau Legeer, Technical Manager for IDL/ENVI
Top Ten Features in IDL 8.0
1. Integrated command line/console. Content assist. Colors in console output. Completion tab for finding history commands.
2. Automatic garbage collection. Pointers and objects that fall out of scope are automatically cleanup up.
3. FOREACH control statement. Works with arrays, lists, and hashes (hash still comming).
4. !NULL Null pointers, objects, variables, free memory. Null arrays possible. VERY easy syntax: n = [] of n{}.
5. Dot for method calls.
obj -> DoIt() becomes obj.doit()
(Ed. Note:, this is said to be "bomb-proof", but I haven't had a chance to test this yet.)
6. Dot notation for Get/Set Property methods.
obj -> GetPropery, NAME=name & Print, name
becomes:
Print, obj.name obj.name = 'Coyote'
To use, objects must inherit IDL_Object. (Ed. Note. GREAT!!)
7. !Color 147 color names! Forget about FSC_Color()!
8. Operator overloading. All IDL operators, including HELP and PRINT.
9. Lists and Hash tables
List - collection of different data types, access using array syntax Hash - like a list, but with string "keys" to access. (Not in current build, but will be in 8.0)
10. New Graphics. Resizeable windows, when change property automatic updating, no worries about color decomposition, layout controls (better !P.Multi). Buttons on window allow output to standard formats, including PostScript, printer, JPEG, PNG, etc. (Ed. Note. This is how this should be done!)
-- David Fanning, Ph.D. Fanning Software Consulting, Inc. Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming: http://www.dfanning.com/ Sepore ma de ni thue. ("Perhaps thos speakest truth.")
> An IDL newsgroup first: Live Blogging! from the IDL User's Group > meeting, 24 Feb 2010, Boulder, CO.
> Kirk Bennel, Chief Technology Officer, "the best release we > have had in the last 10 years, maybe even ever." I think he > may be right about this. It *is* exciting.
> "Expect to see not just marketing people, but people who > build the product on the road, talking to customers."
> It wasn't a dream, which is what I thought when I woke up > this morning. IDL 8 really does have new graphics programs > that will change everything about how graphics are created > and used in IDL. Bill says, "Power of object graphics, in > an easy to use syntax." YES!! Even scientists will be able > to use these routines. And better yet, half the Coyote > Library can be retired forever.
> Language enhancements:
> !NULL arrays, scalars, etc. > Object garbage collection (reference counted) > List and Hash variables > FOREACH operator > Negative array indices > ISA function > Operator overloading (Yikes!)
> Graphics
> Simple, direct graphics like syntax for producing object > graphics plots. YEAH!!!! > Not everything here in this realize, but lots of it is
> Workbench
> Simplified the interface. Have gone back to combined > command line/console. Simple, unclutter look, with > toolbar functionality (that can be shrunk or hidden). > Looks very nice.
> Help System
> Revamped again! But maybe this time they have it right, > or mostly right. More emphasis on examples (click and run).
> Other
> DIMENSION keyword for Mean and Moment > New plot symbols. > Integrated PDF output. (Not ready yet, but will be there > by release (May?)
> Beau Legeer, Technical Manager for IDL/ENVI
> Top Ten Features in IDL 8.0
> 1. Integrated command line/console. Content assist. Colors > in console output. Completion tab for finding history > commands.
> 2. Automatic garbage collection. > Pointers and objects that fall out of scope are > automatically cleanup up.
> 3. FOREACH control statement. Works with arrays, lists, > and hashes (hash still comming).
> 4. !NULL Null pointers, objects, variables, free memory. > Null arrays possible. VERY easy syntax: n = [] of n{}.
> 5. Dot for method calls.
> obj -> DoIt() becomes obj.doit()
> (Ed. Note:, this is said to be "bomb-proof", but I > haven't had a chance to test this yet.)
> 6. Dot notation for Get/Set Property methods.
> obj -> GetPropery, NAME=name & Print, name
> becomes:
> Print, obj.name > obj.name = 'Coyote'
> To use, objects must inherit IDL_Object. > (Ed. Note. GREAT!!)
> 7. !Color 147 color names! Forget about FSC_Color()!
> 8. Operator overloading. All IDL operators, including HELP and PRINT.
> 9. Lists and Hash tables
> List - collection of different data types, access using array syntax > Hash - like a list, but with string "keys" to access. (Not in current > build, but will be in 8.0)
> 10. New Graphics. Resizeable windows, when change property automatic > updating, no worries about color decomposition, layout controls > (better !P.Multi). Buttons on window allow output to standard > formats, including PostScript, printer, JPEG, PNG, etc. > (Ed. Note. This is how this should be done!)
> -- > David Fanning, Ph.D. > Fanning Software Consulting, Inc. > Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming:http://www.dfanning.com/ > Sepore ma de ni thue. ("Perhaps thos speakest truth.")
> An IDL newsgroup first: Live Blogging! from the IDL User's Group > meeting, 24 Feb 2010, Boulder, CO.
> Kirk Bennel, Chief Technology Officer, "the best release we > have had in the last 10 years, maybe even ever." I think he > may be right about this. It *is* exciting.
> "Expect to see not just marketing people, but people who > build the product on the road, talking to customers."
> It wasn't a dream, which is what I thought when I woke up > this morning. IDL 8 really does have new graphics programs > that will change everything about how graphics are created > and used in IDL. Bill says, "Power of object graphics, in > an easy to use syntax." YES!! Even scientists will be able > to use these routines. And better yet, half the Coyote > Library can be retired forever.
> Language enhancements:
> !NULL arrays, scalars, etc. > Object garbage collection (reference counted) > List and Hash variables > FOREACH operator > Negative array indices > ISA function > Operator overloading (Yikes!)
> Graphics
> Simple, direct graphics like syntax for producing object > graphics plots. YEAH!!!! > Not everything here in this realize, but lots of it is
> Workbench
> Simplified the interface. Have gone back to combined > command line/console. Simple, unclutter look, with > toolbar functionality (that can be shrunk or hidden). > Looks very nice.
> Help System
> Revamped again! But maybe this time they have it right, > or mostly right. More emphasis on examples (click and run).
> Other
> DIMENSION keyword for Mean and Moment > New plot symbols. > Integrated PDF output. (Not ready yet, but will be there > by release (May?)
> Beau Legeer, Technical Manager for IDL/ENVI
> Top Ten Features in IDL 8.0
> 1. Integrated command line/console. Content assist. Colors > in console output. Completion tab for finding history > commands.
> 2. Automatic garbage collection. > Pointers and objects that fall out of scope are > automatically cleanup up.
> 3. FOREACH control statement. Works with arrays, lists, > and hashes (hash still comming).
> 4. !NULL Null pointers, objects, variables, free memory. > Null arrays possible. VERY easy syntax: n = [] of n{}.
> 5. Dot for method calls.
> obj -> DoIt() becomes obj.doit()
> (Ed. Note:, this is said to be "bomb-proof", but I > haven't had a chance to test this yet.)
> 6. Dot notation for Get/Set Property methods.
> obj -> GetPropery, NAME=name & Print, name
> becomes:
> Print, obj.name > obj.name = 'Coyote'
> To use, objects must inherit IDL_Object. > (Ed. Note. GREAT!!)
> 7. !Color 147 color names! Forget about FSC_Color()!
> 8. Operator overloading. All IDL operators, including HELP and PRINT.
> 9. Lists and Hash tables
> List - collection of different data types, access using array syntax > Hash - like a list, but with string "keys" to access. (Not in current > build, but will be in 8.0)
> 10. New Graphics. Resizeable windows, when change property automatic > updating, no worries about color decomposition, layout controls > (better !P.Multi). Buttons on window allow output to standard > formats, including PostScript, printer, JPEG, PNG, etc. > (Ed. Note. This is how this should be done!)
> -- > David Fanning, Ph.D. > Fanning Software Consulting, Inc. > Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming:http://www.dfanning.com/ > Sepore ma de ni thue. ("Perhaps thos speakest truth.")
Ben Tupper writes: > Thanks for sharing the exciting details. Sounds like you are having > fun and the the rest of us might have some soon, too!
For nearly 25 years, I have been trying to "fix" IDL, either by writing programs that work the way I think they should work, or by teaching people how to work around IDL's shortcomings. I've grown old and cynical.
I really didn't expect to feel much different after this week's User Group meeting. But I have to say that what I have seen in the past two days is not only good news for the casual IDL user, but is *great* news for IDL developers.
I don't want to set expectations too high. This is just the first release in a new direction, after all, and I haven't really had a chance to play with the code and understand how it all works together. There are obvious pieces still missing. But this step is just absolutely in the right direction. For me, it provides tools that I can see myself using every single day. That hasn't happened for a LONG time.
I said yesterday that one reason I haven't yet written that 3rd Edition of my book is that it is difficult to write while popping Prozac for depression. If you don't see a future for the software, why write about it? But this changes everything. I can see myself writing with Happy Thoughts once again. That, in itself, is enormously comforting. :-)
Cheers,
David
P.S. The other thing cheering me up today is the fact that I will no longer have to support half the programs in the Coyote Library! Maybe I can give Coyote the boot and hire that young thing with the doe eyes to handle the lighter load. :-)
-- David Fanning, Ph.D. Fanning Software Consulting, Inc. Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming: http://www.dfanning.com/ Sepore ma de ni thui. ("Perhaps thou speakest truth.")
> An IDL newsgroup first: Live Blogging! from the IDL User's Group > meeting, 24 Feb 2010, Boulder, CO.
> Kirk Bennel, Chief Technology Officer, "the best release we > have had in the last 10 years, maybe even ever." I think he > may be right about this. It *is* exciting.
> "Expect to see not just marketing people, but people who > build the product on the road, talking to customers."
> It wasn't a dream, which is what I thought when I woke up > this morning. IDL 8 really does have new graphics programs > that will change everything about how graphics are created > and used in IDL. Bill says, "Power of object graphics, in > an easy to use syntax." YES!! Even scientists will be able > to use these routines. And better yet, half the Coyote > Library can be retired forever.
> Language enhancements:
> !NULL arrays, scalars, etc. > Object garbage collection (reference counted) > List and Hash variables > FOREACH operator > Negative array indices > ISA function > Operator overloading (Yikes!)
> Graphics
> Simple, direct graphics like syntax for producing object > graphics plots. YEAH!!!! > Not everything here in this realize, but lots of it is
> Workbench
> Simplified the interface. Have gone back to combined > command line/console. Simple, unclutter look, with > toolbar functionality (that can be shrunk or hidden). > Looks very nice.
> Help System
> Revamped again! But maybe this time they have it right, > or mostly right. More emphasis on examples (click and run).
> Other
> DIMENSION keyword for Mean and Moment > New plot symbols. > Integrated PDF output. (Not ready yet, but will be there > by release (May?)
> Beau Legeer, Technical Manager for IDL/ENVI
> Top Ten Features in IDL 8.0
> 1. Integrated command line/console. Content assist. Colors > in console output. Completion tab for finding history > commands.
> 2. Automatic garbage collection. > Pointers and objects that fall out of scope are > automatically cleanup up.
> 3. FOREACH control statement. Works with arrays, lists, > and hashes (hash still comming).
> 4. !NULL Null pointers, objects, variables, free memory. > Null arrays possible. VERY easy syntax: n = [] of n{}.
> 5. Dot for method calls.
> obj -> DoIt() becomes obj.doit()
> (Ed. Note:, this is said to be "bomb-proof", but I > haven't had a chance to test this yet.)
> 6. Dot notation for Get/Set Property methods.
> obj -> GetPropery, NAME=name & Print, name
> becomes:
> Print, obj.name > obj.name = 'Coyote'
> To use, objects must inherit IDL_Object. > (Ed. Note. GREAT!!)
> 7. !Color 147 color names! Forget about FSC_Color()!
> 8. Operator overloading. All IDL operators, including HELP and PRINT.
> 9. Lists and Hash tables
> List - collection of different data types, access using array syntax > Hash - like a list, but with string "keys" to access. (Not in current > build, but will be in 8.0)
> 10. New Graphics. Resizeable windows, when change property automatic > updating, no worries about color decomposition, layout controls > (better !P.Multi). Buttons on window allow output to standard > formats, including PostScript, printer, JPEG, PNG, etc. > (Ed. Note. This is how this should be done!)
> -- > David Fanning, Ph.D. > Fanning Software Consulting, Inc. > Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming:http://www.dfanning.com/ > Sepore ma de ni thue. ("Perhaps thos speakest truth.")
Lets us not forget all those great presentation on day two - all very good and inspirational. Im glade to be an IDL programmer. Especially, David's talk about Map Projections. Maybe in their new Agile programming environment, ITTVIS will give us new up to date (PROJ4) mapping routines by IDL 8.1 release or as a patch.
kBob <krd...@gmail.com> writes: > Lets us not forget all those great presentation on day two - all very > good and inspirational. Im glade to be an IDL programmer. Especially, > David's talk about Map Projections. Maybe in their new Agile > programming environment, ITTVIS will give us new up to date (PROJ4) > mapping routines by IDL 8.1 release or as a patch.
That might be a reason to stick with IDL.
Matt
-- Matthew Savoie - Scientific Programmer National Snow and Ice Data Center (303) 735-0785 http://nsidc.org
On Feb 24, 11:52 am, David Fanning <n...@dfanning.com> wrote:
> Top Ten Features in IDL 8.0
Thanks for the detailed and optimistic report. I know I shouldn't be greedy but was there any news about planned future enhancements to IDL widgets? Thanks, -Wayne
David Fanning writes: > Maybe > I can give Coyote the boot and hire that young > thing with the doe eyes to handle the lighter > load. :-)
I've been informed by Coyote's attorney this morning that I can take this idea and "put it where the sun don't shine". Apparently Coyote has an iron-clad contract through at least 2025. Oh, well, we can't have everything, I guess. :-(
Cheers,
David
-- David Fanning, Ph.D. Fanning Software Consulting, Inc. Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming: http://www.dfanning.com/ Sepore ma de ni thue. ("Perhaps thos speakest truth.")
Wayne Landsman writes: > Thanks for the detailed and optimistic report. I know I shouldn't > be greedy but was there any news about planned future enhancements to > IDL widgets?
No news, but repeated requests from the audience, especially during Tuesday's open forum. I think ITTVIS acknowledges the need, but--as always-- has a lot on their plate. In my view, they can't be doing graphics this nice without seeing clearly that this in how widgets should work, too.
Personally, I think they understand the need. When they might get it done is anyone's guess. I didn't hear anyone give anything away, even in private conversations.
Cheers,
David
-- David Fanning, Ph.D. Fanning Software Consulting, Inc. Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming: http://www.dfanning.com/ Sepore ma de ni thue. ("Perhaps thos speakest truth.")
I hope, that they will also give the opportunity to create real executable binaries are intend to do this in future releases. Make_rt is not a real option.
On Feb 26, 4:26 am, chris <rog...@googlemail.com> wrote:
> I hope, that they will also give the opportunity to create real > executable binaries are intend to do this in future releases. Make_rt > is not a real option.
I would find that very surprising. IDL programs run on virtual machines, so it would be a major fundamental change to make it a native compiler. It is the same in other VM languages, as far as I know, such as Python and Java, for instance. Even though Java uses strong static types (much easier to compile), and has the JIT compiler (to make some parts into native binaries), no Java program runs without the VM.
make_rt produces a more complete solution than can be done in Java, since it includes the VM, so it can be used directly (though there are the IDL VM limitations, which exist because IDL is not free). The way to distribute ready programs in Java, jar files, is more similar to making IDL save files. Since everybody has the Java VM, distributing jar files is more practical than distributing IDL save files. But IDL will never be as ubiquitous as Java, since it is neither free or a general purpose language.
Any hope for multi-core support? Most desktops nowadays come with multiple cores and for many tasks in data analysis simple task farming would help enormously!
> Any hope for multi-core support? Most desktops nowadays come with > multiple cores and for many tasks in data analysis simple task farming > would help enormously!
When the floor was opened up for suggestions, someone asked for integration of technologies like GPULib and FastDL into IDL. It is not in IDL 8.0 and no roadmap beyond that was given.
