• New Features in IDL 6.0
  • New iTools for Interactive Analysis
    • Introducing the iTools
    • New iTool Routines
    • New iTool Object Classes
    • ITools User's and Developer's Guides
  • New IDL Virtual Machine
    • Getting the IDL Virtual Machine
    • Using the IDL Virtual Machine
  • New IDL-Java Bridge
  • New Path Caching
  • Visualization Enhancements
    • Object Graphics Font Rendering Improvements
    • New Depth Buffer Controls for Graphic Objects
  • Analysis Enhancements
    • New FITA and STATUS Keywords to CURVEFIT
    • New MEASURE_ERRORS Keyword to GAUSSFIT
    • New PIXEL_CENTER Keyword for ROI Masks
    • Enhancements to the INTERVAL_VOLUME, ISOSURFACE, and MESH_DECIMATE Routines
  • Language Enhancements
    • Increment and Decrement Operators
    • Compound Assignment Operators
    • New Logical Operators
    • New Logical Operation Functions
    • LOGICAL_PREDICATE Compilation Option
    • Multiple Subscripts With Associated File Variables
    • Enhancement to the ARRAY_EQUAL Routine
    • Enhancement to the HELP Routine
    • Enhancement to the MESSAGE Routine
    • Enhancement to the RESOLVE_ALL Routine
    • Enhancement to the SHMMAP Routine
    • Enhancement to the STRSPLIT Routine
    • New ARRAY_INDICES Function
    • New IDL_VALIDNAME Function
  • File Access Enhancements
    • NetCDF Library Update
    • Enhancement to the FILE_LINES Routine
    • New FILE_BASENAME and FILE_DIRNAME Functions
  • IDLDE Enhancements
    • Path Cache Preference
    • New Visualization Menu for iTools
  • User Interface Toolkit Enhancements
    • Enhancements to the DIALOG_PICKFILE Routine
    • Button Widget Enhancements
    • New WIDGET_PROPERTYSHEET Function
    • Enhancements to the WIDGET_CONTROL and WIDGET_INFO Routines
    • Enhancement to WIDGET_DROPLIST
  • Documentation Enhancements
    • New iTools User's Guide
    • New iTools Developer's Guide
  • New and Enhanced IDL Objects
    • New IDL Object Classes
    • New IDL Object Properties
    • IDL Object Property Enhancements
    • IDL Object Method Enhancements
  • New and Enhanced IDL Routines
    • New IDL Routines
    • IDL Routine Enhancements
  • Routines Obsoleted in IDL 6.0
  • Requirements for this Release
    • IDL 6.0 Requirements
    • ION 2.0 Requirements
• Using IDL
  • Introducing IDL
    • Overview
    • Launching IDL
      • Launching the iTools
      • Startup Options
      • Troubleshooting
    • Environment Variables Used by IDL
      • Setting Environment Variables
      • Environment Variables - All Platforms
      • Environment Variables - UNIX and MacOS X
    • Command Line Options for IDL Startup
    • Startup Files
    • Message of the Day Files
    • Using Your Mouse with IDL
      • Using a Two-Button Mouse
      • Using a Macintosh (One-Button) Mouse
    • Quitting IDL
    • Helpful Resources
      • The IDL Help System
      • Reporting Problems
  • The IDL Development Environment
    • Components of the IDLDE
      • Menu Bar
      • Toolbars
      • Project Window
      • Multiple Document Panel
      • Output Log
      • Variable Watch Window
      • Command Input Line
      • Status Bar
      • Docking/Undocking
      • Control Panel Buttons
    • File Menu
    • Edit Menu
    • Search Menu
    • Run Menu
    • Project Menu
    • Macros Menu
    • Window Menu
    • Help Menu
    • Keyboard Shortcuts
  • Using the IDL Editor
    • About the IDL Editor
    • Keyboard Shortcuts
    • Searching
    • Text Selection Modes (Windows Only)
    • Chromacoded Editor (Windows Only)
    • Block Comments
    • Functions/Procedures Menu
    • Using External Editors (Motif)
  • Using the IDL Command Input Line
    • Input to IDL
      • Command Recall and Line Editing
      • Copying and Pasting Multiple IDL Code Lines
      • Changing the Number of Lines Saved
    • Executive Commands
    • Issuing Operating System Commands
  • Setting IDL Preferences
    • Customizing IDL
      • Platform Differences
    • General Preferences
    • Layout Preferences
    • Graphics Preferences
    • Editor Preferences
      • Microsoft Windows Editor Configuration
    • Startup Preferences
    • Font Preferences
      • Microsoft Windows
      • UNIX
    • Path Preferences
  • Working With Macros
    • What are Macros?
    • Using the IDL Macro Toolbar
    • Creating UNIX Macros
      • Using the Edit Macros Dialog
      • Manually Editing the Resource File
    • Creating Windows Macros
    • Command Stream Substitutions
    • Building IDL Example Macros
      • Creating a Macro to Call a Text Editor in IDL for UNIX
      • Change Working Directory Macro
  • Printing in IDL
    • Overview
    • Printing Graphics
      • Printing IDL Direct Graphics
      • Printing IDL Object Graphics
    • IDL Printer Setup in Windows
    • IDL Printer Setup in UNIX or Mac OS X
      • The Xprinter Setup Dialog
      • Configuring Printer Setup Options
      • Adding a New Printer to the List of Printer Choices
  • Customizing IDL on Motif Systems
    • Using X Resources to Customize IDL
      • X Resources in Brief
      • Resource Files
      • Format of IDL Resources
      • X Resources Used by IDL
      • Reserving Colors
    • Command Line Options
    • Modifying the Control Panel
      • Adding Macros Toolbar Buttons
      • Adding Macros Menu Entries
      • Examples
    • Action Routines
    • CDE File Manager Support
  • Preparing and Running Programs in IDL
    • Overview
    • Introduction to IDL Program Files
      • IDL Program Files
      • IDL .sav Files
    • Running IDL Program Files
      • Running Program Files
      • Restoring and Running .sav Files
    • Interrupting Program Execution
    • Variable Context After Interruption
    • Aborting IDL
    • Saving Variables from an IDL Session
    • For More Information on Programming
  • Executing Batch Jobs in IDL
    • Overview
    • Interpretation of Batch Statements
    • A Batch Example
  • Journaling in IDL
    • Overview
    • Journaling Examples
• Using IDL iTools
  • Introducing the IDL iTools
    • Introducing the iTools
    • Using this Guide
  • Importing and Exporting Data
    • About the iTools Data Manager
      • Data Manager Utilities
    • About the Parameter Editor
    • Data Import Methods
      • Using Insert Visualization
      • Using the Data Import Wizard
      • Using File Open
      • Using the Data Manager Dialog
    • Importing From a File
      • Importing Image Data
      • Importing ASCII Data
      • Importing Binary Data
    • Importing a Variable
    • Exporting Data
      • Exporting Data to a File
      • Exporting Data to the IDL Session
    • Unknown Data
      • Gridding Wizard
  • iTool Common Tasks
    • Introduction
    • Selection of Objects
      • Select All
    • Undo/Redo
    • Common Manipulation Tasks
      • Translating
      • Scaling
      • Zooming
      • Rotating
      • Transforming
      • Filtering
      • Morphing
    • Legends
    • Annotations
      • Text Annotations
      • Line Annotations
      • Rectangle Annotations
      • Oval Annotations
      • Polygon Annotations
      • Freehand Annotations
    • Additional Axes
    • Rendering Translucent Objects
    • Property Sheets
      • Visualization Property Sheets
      • Operations Property Sheets
    • The Visualization Browser
    • The Preferences Browser
      • General Settings
      • Visualizations
      • Operations
      • File Readers
      • File Writers
    • The Operations Browser
    • Window Layouts
    • File Operations
      • Opening Files
      • Importing Variables and Files
      • Saving Files
      • Exporting Variables and Files
      • Printing
      • Exiting the iTool
    • Additional Operations
      • Plotting a Histogram
      • Displaying Statistics
      • Resetting Dataspace Ranges
      • Recording a Message Log
  • Working with Images
    • Introduction
      • Colors in the iImage Tool
    • Displaying Images
      • Displaying Multiple Images
    • Image Properties
      • Modifying Properties
    • Adding a Colorbar
    • Adding Axes
    • Modifying Image Brightness
    • Resampling an Image
    • Filtering an Image
    • Morphing an Image
    • Contouring an Image
    • Surfacing an Image
    • Manipulating the Image Display
      • Rotating an Image
      • Scaling an Image and Byte Scaling an Image
      • Inverting an Image
      • Flipping an Image
      • View Zoom
      • Cnvas Zoom
      • Image ROIs
      • Region Growing
      • Adding Annotations
      • Line Profiles
      • Panning
      • Selecting the Data Range
    • iImage Tool Operations
      • Viewing a Histogram
      • Viewing Image Statistics
      • Resetting Dataspace Ranges
      • Dataspace Pixel Scaling
  • Working with Surfaces
    • Introduction
    • Displaying Surfaces
    • Surface Properties
      • The Visualization Browser
      • The Operations Browser
    • Adding a Colorbar
    • Adding a Light
    • Adding a Legend
    • Adding Axes
    • Imaging a Suface
    • Contouring a Surface
    • Resampling a Surface
    • Filtering a Surface
    • Adding a Texture Map
    • Manipulating Surface Displays
      • Rotating a Surface
      • Scaling a Surface
      • Adding Annotations
      • View Zoom
      • Canvas Zoom
    • iSurface Tool Operations
      • Viewing a Histogram Plot
      • Viewing Statistics
  • Working with Contours
    • Introduction
    • Displaying Contours
      • Displaying Regular-grid Data
      • Displaying Irregular-grid Data
    • Contour Properties
    • Labelling Contours
    • Changing the Contour Colors
    • Filling Contours
    • Adding a Colorbar
    • Adding a Legend
    • Adding Axes
    • Filtering a Contour
    • Manipulating the Contour Display
      • Translating
      • View Zoom
      • Canvas Zoom
      • Scaling a Contour Display
      • Adding Annotations
    • iContour Tool Operations
      • Viewing a Histogram
      • Viewing Statistics
  • Working with Plots
    • Introduction
    • Displaying Two-Dimensional Plots
    • Displaying Three-Dimensional Plots
    • Displaying Polar Plots
    • Overplotting
    • Plot Properties
      • Modifying Properties
    • Adding Legends
    • Adding a Colorbar
    • Adding Error Bars
    • Curve Fitting
    • Filtering a Plot
    • Manipulating the Plot Display
      • Translating
      • Adding Annotations
      • View Zoom
      • Canvas Zoom
      • Selecting the Data Range
    • iPlot Tool Operations
      • Scaling a Plot Display
      • Viewing a Histogram
      • Viewing Statistics
  • Working with Volumes
    • Introduction
    • Displaying Volumes
      • Multi-Channel Volumes
      • Rendering Volumes
    • Volume Properties
      • Modifying Properties
    • Adding a Colorbar
    • Adding Axes
    • Resampling Volumes
    • Showing an Image Plane
      • Viewing the Image Plane in iImage
    • Extracting an IsoSurface
    • Extracting an Interval Volume
    • Manipulating the Volume Display
      • Rotating a Volume
      • Scaling a Volume
      • View Zoom
      • Canvas Zoom
      • Morphing a Volume
      • Adding Annotations
    • iVolume Tool Operations
      • Viewing a Histogram
      • Viewing Statistics
      • Smoothing a Volume
  • iTools Interface Reference
    • Introduction
      • Menu Bar Items
      • Toolbar Items
    • File Menu
    • Edit Menu
    • Insert Menu
    • Operations Menu
    • Window Menu
    • Help Menu
    • File Toolbar
    • Edit Toolbar
    • Manipulator Toolbar
    • Annotation Toolbar
    • Context Menu
  • Property Controls
  • Operations Properties
    • The Operations Browser
    • Statistics Properties
    • Histogram Properties
    • Filter Properties
      • Smooth Properties
      • Median Properties
      • Convolution Properties
      • Roberts Filter Properties
      • Sobel Filter Properties
      • Curve Fitting Properties
    • Morphing Properties
    • Rotate Properties
      • Rotate Left Properties
      • Rotate Right Properties
      • Rotate By Angle Properties
    • Transform Properties
      • Resample Properties
      • Rotate Data Properties
      • Scale Data Properties
      • Invert Image Properties
      • Byte Scale Properties
    • Dataspace Operation Properties
      • Reset Ranges Properties
      • Pixel Scale Properties
    • Region Grow Properties
    • Surface Properties
    • Contour Properties
    • Image Properties
    • Volume Properties
      • Image Plane
      • Isosurface
      • Render Volume
      • Interval Volume
    • Image Plane Properties
      • Launch iImage
  • Visualization Properties
    • Introduction
    • The Visualization Browser
    • Window Properties
    • View Properties
    • Visualization Layer Properties
    • Data Space Properties
    • Visualization Type Properties
      • Image
      • Plot
      • Plot 3D
      • Surface
      • Contour
      • Volume
      • Isosurface
      • Interval Volume
      • Image Plane
      • Colorbar
      • Histogram
      • Axes
      • Lights
      • Polygonal ROI
      • IDL Graphics Objects
    • 2D Annotation Layer Properties
      • Text Annotation Properties
      • Line Annotation Properties
      • Line Profile Annotation Properties
      • Rectangle Annotation Properties
      • Oval Annotation Properties
      • Polygon Annotation Properties
      • Freehand Annotation Properties
    • Legend Properties
      • Legend Contour Items
      • Legend Contour Level Items
      • Legend Plot Items
      • Legend Surface Items
• Programming in IDL
  • Overview
    • What is an IDL Application?
      • Can I Distribute My Application?
    • About Building Applications in IDL
  • Components of the IDL Language
    • Expressions and Operators
      • Overview
      • IDL Operators
        • Parentheses
        • Square Brackets
        • Mathematical Operators
        • Minimum and Maximum Operators
        • Matrix Multiplication
        • Array Concatenation
        • Logical Operators
        • Bitwise Operators
        • Relational Operators
        • Conditional Expression
      • Operator Precedence
      • Data Type and Structure of Expressions
        • Expression Type
        • Expression Structure
    • Constants and Variables
      • Data Types
        • Basic Data Types
        • Complex Data Types
        • Determining the Data Type of a Variable or Array
      • Constants
        • Integer Constants
        • Floating-Point and Double-Precision Constants
        • Complex Constants
        • String Constants
        • Representing Non-Printable Characters
      • Type Conversion Functions
      • Variables
        • Attributes of Variables
        • Variable Names
      • System Variables
      • Common Blocks
        • Common Block Definition Statements
        • Common Block Reference Statements
    • Procedures and Functions
      • Overview
      • Defining a Procedure
      • Calling a Procedure
        • Example
      • Defining a Function
        • Example
        • Automatic Execution
        • Forward Function Definition
      • Parameters
        • Correspondence of Formal and Actual Parameters
        • Copying Parameters
        • Number of Parameters
        • Example
      • Using Keyword Parameters
      • Keyword Inheritance
        • Keyword Inheritance Mechanisms
        • Choosing a Keyword Inheritance Mechanism
        • Example: Writing a Wrapper Routine
        • Example: By Value Versus By Reference
      • Entering Procedure Definitions
        • Note Regarding Functions
      • How IDL Resolves Routines
      • Parameter Passing Mechanism
      • Calling Mechanism
        • Recursion
        • Example
      • Setting Compilation Options
      • Advice for Library Authors
    • Strings
      • Overview
        • A Note About the Examples
      • String Operations
        • Concatenation
        • Formatting Data
        • Case Folding
        • White Space Removal
        • Length
        • Substrings
        • Splitting and Joining Strings
        • Comparing Strings
      • Non-string and Non-scalar Arguments
      • String Concatenation
      • Using STRING to Format Data
        • Reading Data from Strings
      • Byte Arguments and Strings
      • Case Folding
      • Whitespace
        • Removing All Whitespace
        • Removing Leading or Trailing Blanks
        • Removing All Types of Whitespace
      • Finding the Length of a String
      • Substrings
        • Searching for a Substring
        • Searching For the Last Occurrence of a Substring
        • Inserting the Contents of One String into Another
        • Extracting Substrings
      • Splitting and Joining Strings
      • Comparing Strings
        • Case-Insensitive Comparisons of the First N Characters
        • String Comparisons Using Wildcards
        • Complex Comparisons Using Regular Expressions
      • Learning About Regular Expressions
        • Meta Characters
        • Subexpressions
        • Bracket Expressions
    • Arrays
      • Overview
        • Array Subscripts
      • Array Subscripting
        • Extra Dimensions
        • Subscripting Scalars
        • Array Subscript Syntax: [ ] vs. ( )
      • Subscript Ranges
      • Dimensionality of Subarrays
        • Examples
      • Using Arrays as Subscripts
        • Example
      • Combining Subscripts
        • Subscript Ranges
        • Other Subscript Arrays
        • Scalars
      • Storing Elements with Array Subscripts
        • Examples
      • Columns, Rows, and Array Majority
    • Structures
      • Overview
        • Named Structures
        • Anonymous Structures
      • Creating and Defining Structures
        • Structure Inheritance
        • Example of Creating a Structure
      • Structure References
        • Subscripted Structure References
        • Examples of Structure References
      • Using HELP with Structures
      • Parameter Passing with Structures
        • Storing Into Array Fields
      • Arrays of Structures
        • Creating an Array of Structures
        • Examples of Arrays of Structures
      • Structure Input/Output
        • Formatted Input/Output with Structures
        • Unformatted Input/Output with Structures
        • Strings
        • String Length Issues
      • Advanced Structure Usage
        • Number of Structure Tags
        • Names of Structure Tags
        • Example
      • Automatic Structure Definition
      • Relaxed Structure Assignment
        • Using Relaxed Structure Assignment
    • Pointers
      • Overview
      • Heap Variables
      • Creating Heap Variables
      • Saving and Restoring Heap Variables
      • Pointer Heap Variables
      • IDL Pointers
        • Null Pointers
        • The PTR_NEW Function
        • The PTRARR Function
      • Operations on Pointers
        • Assignment
        • Dereference
        • Equality and Inequality
      • Dangling References
      • Heap Variable Leakage
      • Pointer Validity
      • Freeing Pointers
      • Pointer Examples
        • Creating a Linked List
        • Example Files-Using Pointers to Create Binary Trees
  • Basics of IDL Programming
    • Introduction to IDL Programming
      • What is an IDL Program?
        • Main-Level Programs
        • Include Files
        • Program Files
      • Creating a Simple Program
      • Compiling and Running Your Program
        • Compilation Errors
      • Commenting Your IDL Code
      • Saving Compiled IDL Programs
        • Creating a .sav File of a Simple Routine
        • Customizing and Saving an ASCII Template
        • Saving and Restoring the XROI Utility and Image ROI Data
      • Restoring Compiled IDL Programs and Data
        • Restoring .sav Files from the Command Line
        • Using RESTORE to Explicitly Restore a .sav File
        • Note on IDL 5.4 SAVE Files
    • Files and Input/Output
      • Overview
      • File I/O in IDL
        • Simple Examples
        • Routines for Input/Output
      • Unformatted Input/Output
        • Advantages of Unformatted I/O
        • Disadvantages of Unformatted I/O
      • Formatted Input/Output
        • Advantages of Formatted I/O
        • Disadvantages of Formatted I/O
        • Free Format I/O
        • Explicit Format I/O
      • Opening Files
        • Platform-Specific Keywords to the OPEN Procedure
      • Closing Files
      • Logical Unit Numbers (LUNs)
        • The Standard Input, Output, and Error LUNs
        • File Units (1-99)
        • File Units (100 -128)
      • Reading and Writing Very Large Files
        • Limitations of Large File Support
      • Using Free Format Input/Output
        • Free Format Input
        • Free Format Output
        • Example: Free Format Input/Output
      • Using Explicitly Formatted Input/Output
        • Rules for Explicitly Formatted Input/Output
        • Format Reversion
      • Format Codes
        • A Format Code
        • : Format Code
        • $ Format Code
        • F, D, E, and G Format Codes
        • I, O, and Z Format Codes
        • Q Format Code
        • Quoted String and H Format Codes
        • T Format Code
        • TL Format Code
        • TR and X Format Codes
        • C() Format Code
        • C printf-Style Quoted String Format Code
        • Example: Reading Tables of Formatted Data
        • Example: Reading Records that Contain Multiple Array Elements
      • Using Unformatted Input/Output
        • Unformatted Input/Output of String Variables
        • Example: Reading C-Generated Unformatted Data with IDL
        • Example: Reading IDL-Generated Unformatted Data with C
        • Example: Reading a Sun Rasterfile from IDL
      • Portable Unformatted Input/Output
        • XDR Considerations
        • IDL XDR Conventions for Programmers
        • Example: Reading C-Generated XDR Data with IDL
      • Associated Input/Output
        • Example of Using Associated Input/Output
        • Reading Data from Associated Files
        • Writing Data to Associated Files
        • Multiple Subscripts With Associated File Variables
        • Files with Multiple Structures
        • Offset Parameter
        • Efficiency
        • Unformatted Data from UNIX FORTRAN Programs
      • File Manipulation Operations
        • IDL File Handling Routines
        • Locating Files
        • Changing File Access Permissions
        • Copying Files and Directories
        • Renaming Files and Directories
        • Deleting Files and Empty Directories
        • Expanding Files and Directory Paths
        • Creating Directories
        • Testing for a File's Existence
        • Searching for a Specific File
        • Working with UNIX Links
        • Getting Help and Information
        • Getting Information About a File
        • The FSTAT Function
        • Flushing File Units
        • Positioning File Pointers
        • Testing for End-Of-File
        • GET_KBRD
        • Using the STRING Function to Format Data
        • Reading Data from a String Variable
      • UNIX-Specific Information
        • Reading FORTRAN-Generated Unformatted Data with IDL
      • Windows-Specific Information
      • Scientific Data Formats
      • Support for Standard Image File Formats
    • Assignment
      • Overview of the Assignment Statement
      • Assigning a Value to a Variable
        • Examples
      • Assigning Scalars to Array Elements
        • Using Array Subscripts
      • Assigning Arrays to Array Elements
        • Examples
        • Using Array Subscripts
      • Avoid Using Range Subscripts
        • Examples
      • Compound Assignment Operators
      • Using Associated File Variables
    • Program Control
      • Overview
      • Compound Statements
        • BEGIN...END
      • Conditional Statements
        • IF...THEN...ELSE
        • CASE
        • SWITCH
        • CASE Versus SWITCH
      • Loop Statements
        • FOR...DO
        • REPEAT...UNTIL
        • WHILE...DO
      • Jump Statements
        • Statement Labels
        • BREAK
        • CONTINUE
        • GOTO
      • Definition of True and False
    • Writing Efficient IDL Programs
      • Overview
      • Expression Evaluation Order
      • Avoid IF Statements
        • Example-Summing Elements
        • Example-Using Array Operators and WHERE
      • Use Vector and Array Operations
      • Use System Functions and Procedures
        • Example
      • Use Constants of the Correct Type
      • Eliminate Invariant Expressions
      • Virtual Memory
        • Access Large Arrays by Memory Order
        • Running Out of Virtual Memory
        • Minimizing Virtual Memory
        • The TEMPORARY Function
        • Virtual Memory System Parameters
      • IDL Implementation
      • The IDL Code Profiler
        • The Profile Dialog
        • The Profile Report Dialog
        • Using the IDL Code Profiler
    • Multithreading in IDL
      • The IDL Thread Pool
        • Benefits of the IDL Thread Pool
        • Possible Drawbacks to the Use of the IDL Thread Pool
      • Controlling the IDL Thread Pool
        • Viewing the Current Thread Pool Settings
        • Using the Default Thread Pool Settings
        • Changing Global Thread Pool Settings
        • Changing Thread Pool Settings for a Specific Computation
        • Disabling the Thread Pool
      • Routines that Use the Thread Pool
    • Solutions to Common IDL Tasks
      • Determining Variable Scope
      • Determining if a Keyword is Set
      • Determining the Number of Array Elements in an Expression or Variable
      • Determining if a Variable is Defined
      • Supplying Values for Missing Keywords
      • Supplying Values for Missing Arguments
      • Determining the Size/Type of an Array
        • Examples
      • Determining if a Variable Contains a Scalar or Array Value
      • Calling Functions/Procedures Indirectly
        • Example
      • Executing Dynamically-Created IDL Code
    • Building Cross-Platform Applications
      • Overview
      • Which Operating System is Running?
      • File and Path Specifications
        • Choosing Files at Runtime
        • Selecting Files Programmatically
      • Environment Variables
      • Files and I/O
        • Byte Order Issues
        • Logical Unit Numbers
        • Naming of IDL .pro Files
      • Math Exceptions
      • Operating System Access
      • Display Characteristics and Palettes
        • Finding Screen Size
        • Number of Colors Available
      • Fonts
      • Printing
      • SAVE and RESTORE
      • Widgets
        • Dialog Routines
        • Base Widgets
        • Positioning Widgets within a Base Widget
        • Fonts used in Widget Applications
        • Motif Resources
        • WIDGET_STUB
        • Widget Event Inconsistencies
      • Using External Code
      • IDL DataMiner Issues
    • Debugging an IDL Program
      • Overview
      • Debugging Commands
        • A Simple Example
        • Step Through the Program
        • Fix the Program
        • Breakpoints
        • Working with Breakpoints
      • The Variable Watch Window
        • Customizing Variable Watch Window Layout
        • The Variable Watch Interface Description
        • Using the Variable Watch Window
    • Controlling Errors
      • Overview
      • Default Error-Handling Mechanism
      • Disappearing Variables
      • Controlling Errors Using CATCH
        • Interaction of CATCH, ON_ERROR, and ON_IOERROR
        • Canceling an Error Handler
        • Generating an Exception
        • Example Using CATCH
      • Controlling Errors Using ON_ERROR
      • Controlling Input/Output Errors
      • Error Signaling
        • Message Blocks
      • Obtaining Traceback Information
      • Error Handling
      • Math Errors
        • Accumulated Math Error Status
        • Special Floating-Point Values
        • The FINITE Function
        • Integer Conversions
    • Providing Online Help For Your Application
      • Overview
      • Providing Help Within the User Interface
        • Tooltips
        • Status Lines
        • Text Widgets
      • Displaying Text Files
      • Using an External Viewer
      • About IDL's Online Help System
        • The Full IDL Documentation Set in PDF
        • Microsoft Windows Help
        • UNIX Online Help
        • IDL's Acrobat Plug-In
      • Using IDL's Online Help Viewers
        • Microsoft Windows Help
        • Portable Document Format Files
        • HTML Files
        • Paths for Help Files
  • Creating Applications in IDL
    • Creating IDL Projects
      • Overview
        • Access to all Files in Your Application
        • Working with an IDL Project
        • Compiling and Running Your Application
        • Build Your Application
        • Exporting Your Applications
        • The IDL Project Interface
        • Example of a Project
      • Where to Store the Files for a Project
      • Creating a Project
      • Opening, Closing, and Saving Projects
        • Opening a Project
        • Saving a Project
        • Closing a Project
      • Modifying Project Groups
        • Modifying Project Groups
      • Adding, Moving, and Removing Files
        • Adding Files
        • Moving Files
        • Removing Files
      • Working with Files in a Project
        • Editing a Source File
        • Compiling a File
        • Testing a File
        • Setting the Properties of a File
        • Modifying Properties of Multiple Files
      • Setting the Options for a Project
      • Selecting the Build Order
      • Compiling an Application from a Project
        • To Compile All Files in Your Project
        • To Compile Only Modified Files in Your Project
      • Building a Project
        • About IDL GUIBuilder Files
      • Running an Application from a Project
      • Exporting a Project
        • Exporting Your Project's Source Files
        • Exporting Your Project to a Save File
        • Exporting a Runtime Distribution
    • Distributing IDL Applications
      • What is a Stand-Alone IDL Application?
        • Types of IDL Applications
        • Limitations of IDL Applications
      • Building a Native IDL Application
        • Example Native IDL Application
      • Licensing Options for IDL Applications
        • Free Runtime License (IDL Virtual Machine)
        • Purchased Licenses
      • The IDL Virtual Machine
        • Limitations of Applications that Run in the IDL Virtual Machine
        • Building an Application that Runs in the IDL Virtual Machine
        • Version Compatibility of .sav Files
        • Running a .sav File in the IDL Virtual Machine
        • Example
      • Embedded Licensing
        • Including License Information in your Application
        • Running a .sav File with an Embedded License
        • Example
      • Runtime Licensing
        • Building a Runtime Application
        • Obtaining and Installing a Runtime License
        • Running a .sav File with a Runtime License
        • Example
      • Building Your Application
      • Preparing a Distribution
        • Windows
        • UNIX
      • Installing your Application
      • Incorporating the IDL Data Miner
  • Using IDL Objects
    • Object Basics
      • Object-Oriented Programming
      • IDL Object Overview
        • Classes and Instances
        • Encapsulation
        • Methods
        • Polymorphism
        • Inheritance
        • Persistence
      • Class Structures
        • Automatic Class Structure Definition
      • Inheritance
      • Object Heap Variables
        • Dangling References
        • Heap Variable "Leakage"
        • Freeing Heap Variables
      • Null Objects
      • The Object Lifecycle
        • Creation and Initialization
        • Destruction
      • Operations on Objects
        • Assignment
        • Method Invocation
        • Equality and Inequality
      • Obtaining Information about Objects
      • Method Routines
        • Defining Method Routines
        • The Implicit Self Argument
        • Calling Method Routines
        • Searching for Method Routines
      • Method Overriding
      • Object Examples
    • Using the XML Parser Object Class
      • About XML
        • About XML Parsers
      • Using the XML Parser
        • Subclassing the IDLffXMLSAX Object Class
        • Using Your Parser
        • Validation
      • Example: Reading Data Into an Array
        • Creating the xml_to_array Object Class
        • Using the xml_to_array Parser
      • Example: Reading Data Into Structures
        • Creating the xml_to_struct Object Class
        • Using the xml_to_struct Parser
      • Building Complex Data Structures
  • Creating Graphical User Interfaces in IDL
    • Using the IDL GUIBuilder
      • Overview
      • Starting the IDL GUIBuilder
        • Opening Existing Interface Definitions
      • Creating an Example Application
        • Defining Menus for the Top-level Base
        • Creating a Draw Widget
        • Running the Application in Test Mode
        • Generating the IDL Code
        • Handling the Open File Event
        • Handling the Exit Event
        • Handling the Load Color Table Event
        • Handling the Smooth Event
        • Compiling and Running the Example Application
      • IDL GUIBuilder Tools
        • Using the IDL GUIBuilder Toolbar
        • Using the Properties Dialog
        • Using the Widget Browser
        • Using the Menu Editor
        • Using the Bitmap Editor
        • Using the Tree Editor
      • Widget Operations
        • Selecting Widgets
        • Moving and Resizing Widgets
        • Cutting, Copying, and Pasting Widgets
        • Deleting Widgets
        • Undoing and Redoing Operations
      • Generating Files
        • Generating Resource Files
        • Generating IDL Code
      • IDL GUIBuilder Examples
        • Understanding IDL GUIBuilder Event Handling Code
        • Writing Event Callback Routines
        • Handling Initialization Arguments
        • Integrating Multiple Interfaces
        • Adding Compound Widgets
        • Controlling Widget Display
      • Widget Properties
      • Common Widget Properties
        • Common Attributes
        • Common Events
      • Base Widget Properties
        • Base Widget Attributes
        • Base Widget Events
      • Button Widget Properties
        • Creating Multiple Radio Buttons or Checkboxes
        • Button, Radio Button, and Checkbox Widget Attributes
        • Button, Radio Button, and Checkbox Widget Events
      • Text Widget Properties
        • Text Widget Attributes
        • Text Widget Events
      • Label Widget Properties
        • Label Widget Attributes
        • Label Widget Events
      • Slider Widget Properties
        • Horizontal and Vertical Slider Widget Attributes
        • Horizontal and Vertical Slider Widget Events
      • Droplist Widget Properties
        • Droplist Widget Attributes
        • Droplist Widget Events
      • Listbox Widget Properties
        • Listbox Widget Attributes
        • Listbox Widget Events
      • Draw Widget Properties
        • Draw Area Widget Attributes
        • Draw Area Widget Events
      • Table Widget Properties
        • Table Widget Attributes
        • Table Widget Events
      • Tab Widget Properties
        • Tab Widget Attributes
        • Tab Widget Events
      • Tree Widget Properties
        • Tree Widget Attributes
        • Tree Widget Events
    • Widgets
      • Overview
        • Widget Types
        • Widget Programming
        • Widget Values
        • Instantiating Widgets
      • Widget Primitives
        • ActiveX
        • Base
        • Button
        • ComboBox
        • Draw
        • Droplist
        • Label
        • List
        • PropertySheet
        • Slider
        • Tab
        • Table
        • Text
        • Tree
      • Compound Widgets
        • Widget Values of Compound Widgets
        • Compound Widgets Provided with IDL
        • Compound Widget Categories
        • CW_ANIMATE
        • CW_ARCBALL
        • CW_BGROUP
        • CW_CLR_INDEX
        • CW_COLORSEL
        • CW_DEFROI
        • CW_FIELD
        • CW_FILESEL
        • CW_FORM
        • CW_FSLIDER
        • CW_LIGHT_EDITOR
        • CW_ORIENT
        • CW_PALETTE_EDITOR
        • CW_PDMENU
        • CW_RGBSLIDER
        • CW_ZOOM
      • Dialogs
        • DIALOG_MESSAGE
        • DIALOG_PICKFILE
        • DIALOG_PRINTERSETUP
        • DIALOG_PRINTJOB
        • DIALOG_READ_IMAGE
        • DIALOG_WRITE_IMAGE
      • Utilities
        • XBM_EDIT
        • XDISPLAYFILE
        • XDXF
        • XFONT
        • XINTERANIMATE
        • XLOADCT
        • XMTOOL
        • XOBJVIEW
        • XPALETTE
        • XPCOLOR
        • XPLOT3D
        • XROI
        • XSURFACE
        • XVAREDIT
        • XVOLUME
    • Creating Widget Applications
      • About Widget Applications
        • Running the Example Code
        • Other Examples of Widget Programming
      • Widget Programming Concepts
        • Widget IDs
        • Widget Parent/Child Relationships
        • Instantiating and Displaying Widgets
      • Example 1: A Simple Widget Application
      • Widget Application Lifecycle
        • Construct the Widget Hierarchy
        • Provide an Event-Handling Routine
        • Realize the Widgets
        • Register the Program with the XMANAGER
        • Interact with the Application
        • Destroy the Widgets
      • Manipulating Widgets
        • WIDGET_CONTROL
        • WIDGET_EVENT
        • WIDGET_INFO
        • XMANAGER
        • XREGISTERED
      • Working With Widget IDs
        • Use the Widget Event Structure
        • Pass the Widget ID Using a Widget User Value
        • Use a User Name to Locate the Widget
        • Pass the Widget ID Explicitly
        • Use a COMMON Block
      • Widget User Values
      • Widget Event Processing
        • What are Widget Events?
        • Structure of Widget Events
        • Managing Widget Events with XMANAGER
        • Event Processing and Callbacks
      • Example 2: Event Processing and User Values
      • Managing Application State
        • Techniques for Preserving Application State
      • Compound Widgets
        • Writing Compound Widgets
        • The HANDLER Field of the Widget Event Structure
      • Example 3: Compound Widget
        • Using CW_DICE in a Widget Program
      • Debugging Widget Applications
    • Widget Application Techniques
      • Working with Widget Events
        • Interrupting the Event Loop
        • Identifying Widget Type from an Event
        • Keyboard Focus Events
        • Timer Events
        • Tracking Events
        • Context Menu Events
      • Using Multiple Widget Hierarchies
        • Widget Group Behaviors
        • Floating bases
        • Modal bases
        • Menubars
      • Creating Menus
        • Button Groups
        • Lists
        • Pulldown Menus
        • Menus on Top-Level Bases
        • Context-Sensitive Menus
      • Widget Sizing
        • Widget Geometry Terms and Concepts
        • How Widget Geometry is Determined
        • Dynamic Resizing
        • Explicitly Specifying the Size and Location of Widgets
        • Preventing Layout Flicker
      • Tips on Creating Widget Applications
      • Using Button Widgets
        • Bitmap Button Labels
        • Tooltips
        • Exclusive and Non-Exclusive Buttons
      • Using Draw Widgets
        • Using Direct Graphics in Draw Widgets
        • Using Object Graphics in Draw Widgets
        • Scrolling Draw Widgets
        • Context Events in Draw Widgets
        • Draw Widget Example
        • Button, Motion, and Keyboard Events
      • Using Property Sheet Widgets
        • Registering Properties
        • Selecting Properties
        • Changing Properties
        • User-defined Properties
        • Property Sheet Example
        • Multiple Properties Example
      • Using Table Widgets
        • Default Table Size
        • Selection Modes
        • Data Types
        • Retrieving Data
        • Edit Mode
        • Example: Single Data Type Data
        • Example: Structure Data
      • Using Tab Widgets
        • Example: A Simple Tab Widget
        • Tab Sizing and Multiline Behavior
        • Example: Retrieving Values
      • Using Tree Widgets
        • Types of Tree Widgets
        • Example: A Simple Tree
        • Setting the Tree Selection State
        • Making a Tree Entry Visible
        • Replacing the Default Bitmaps
  • iTools
    • What are iTools?
    • What is the iTools Component Framework?
      • Advantages of Using the Framework
    • About this Manual
      • What this Manual is Not
    • About the iTools Code Base
      • Documented vs. Undocumented Classes
    • Skills Required to Use the iTools Component Framework
  • Understanding the iTools Component Framework
    • iTool System Architecture
      • Overview
      • iTool Object Identifiers
        • Proxy Identifiers
        • Object Descriptors
      • iTool Object Hierarchy
        • iTool System Object
      • Registering Components
        • Registration Methods
      • iTool Messaging System
        • Sending Notifications
        • Notification Messages
        • Observers
      • System Resources
        • Icon Bitmaps
        • Help System
    • Data Management
      • Overview
      • iTool Data Manager
        • Adding Data to the Data Manager
        • Removing Data from the Data Manager
      • iTool Data Types
        • Composite Data Types
        • Data Types of iTool Components
      • iTool Data Objects
        • Data Objects
        • Data Containers
        • Parameter Sets
      • Predefined iTool Data Classes
      • Parameters
        • Parameter Names
        • Parameter Data Types
        • Registering Parameters
      • Data Type Matching
      • Data Update Mechanism
    • Property Management
      • About the Properties Interface
        • What is a Property?
        • Properties vs. Preferences
        • How are Properties Displayed?
        • Setting and Retrieving Property Values
        • Property Data Types
        • Property Registration
        • Property Identifiers
        • Property Attributes
        • Property Aggregation
      • Property Data Types
        • User Defined Property Types
      • Registering Properties
        • Registering a Property
        • Pre-Registered Properties
      • Property Identifiers
      • Property Attributes
        • Available Property Attributes
      • Property Aggregation
        • Working with Aggregated Properties
      • Property Update Mechanism
      • Properties of the iTools System
  • Using the iTools Component Framework
    • Creating an iTool
      • Overview
        • The iTool Creation Process
      • Creating a New iTool Class
        • Creating an Init Method
        • Creating the Class Structure Definition
      • Registering a New Tool Class
        • Using ITREGISTER
        • Example
      • Creating an iTool Launch Routine
        • Specifying Command-Line Arguments and Keywords
        • Creating Data Objects
        • Handling Errors
        • Creating an iTool Instance
      • Example: Simple iTool
        • Class Definition File
        • Launch Routine
    • Creating a Visualization
      • Overview
        • The Visualization Type Creation Process
      • Predefined iTool Visualization Classes
      • Creating a New Visualization Type
        • Creating an Init Method
        • Creating a Cleanup Method
        • Creating a GetProperty Method
        • Creating a SetProperty Method
        • Creating an OnDataChangeUpdate Method
        • Creating an OnDataDisconnect Method
        • Creating the Class Structure Definition
      • Registering a Visualization Type
        • Using IDLitTool::RegisterVisualization
        • Specifying Useful Properties
      • Unregistering a Visualization Type
      • Example: Image-Contour Visualization
        • Class Definition File
    • Creating an Operation
      • Overview
        • The Operation Creation Process
      • Predefined iTool Operations
      • Operations and the Undo/Redo System
        • Data-Centric Operations
        • Generalized Operations
      • Creating a New Data-Centric Operation
        • How an IDLitDataOperation Works
        • Creating an IDLitDataOperation
        • Creating an Init Method
        • Creating a Cleanup Method
        • Creating an Execute Method
        • Creating a DoExecuteUI Method
        • Creating a GetProperty Method
        • Creating a SetProperty Method
        • Creating an UndoExecute Method
        • Creating the Class Structure Definition
      • Creating a New Generalized Operation
        • How an IDLitOperation Works
        • Creating an IDLitOperation
        • Creating an Init Method
        • Creating a Cleanup Method
        • Creating a DoAction Method
        • Creating a RecordInitialValues Method
        • Creating a RecordFinalValues Method
        • Creating a GetProperty Method
        • Creating a SetProperty Method
        • Creating an UndoOperation Method
        • Creating a RedoOperation Method
        • Creating the Class Structure Definition
      • Registering an Operation
        • Using IDLitTool::RegisterOperation
        • Specifying Useful Properties
      • Unregistering an Operation
      • Example: Data Resample Operation
        • Class Definition File
    • Creating a File Reader
      • Overview
        • The File Reader Creation Process
      • Predefined iTool File Readers
      • Creating a New File Reader
        • Creating an Init Method
        • Creating a Cleanup Method
        • Creating a GetProperty Method
        • Creating a SetProperty Method
        • Creating an IsA Method
        • Creating a GetData Method
        • Creating the Class Structure Definition
      • Registering a File Reader
        • Using IDLitTool::RegisterFileReader
      • Unregistering a File Reader
      • Example: TIFF File Reader
        • Class Definition File
    • Creating a File Writer
      • Overview
        • The File Writer Creation Process
      • Predefined iTool File Writers
      • Creating a New File Writer
        • Creating an Init Method
        • Creating a Cleanup Method
        • Creating a GetProperty Method
        • Creating a SetProperty Method
        • Creating a SetData Method
        • Creating the Class Structure Definition
      • Registering a File Writer
        • Using IDLitTool::RegisterFileWriter
      • Unregistering a File Writer
      • Example: TIFF File Writer
        • Class Definition File
  • Modifying the iTool User Interface
    • iTool User Interface Architecture
      • Overview
      • User Interface Objects
    • Using iTool User Interface Elements
      • Overview
      • Status Messages
      • Prompts
      • Informational Messages
    • Creating a User Interface Service
      • Overview
        • Creating and Using a UI Service
      • Predefined iTool UI Services
      • Creating a New UI Service
        • Creating the UI Service Routine
        • Creating Supporting User Interface Elements
      • Registering a UI Service
        • Using ITREGISTER
        • Example
        • Using the RegisterUIService Method
      • Executing a User Interface Service
      • Example: Changing a Property Value
        • Creating the SrvExample service
        • Creating the SrvExample interface
        • Creating an operation that calls the service
        • Registering the SrvExample service
        • Registering the opName operation
        • Invoking the opName operation
    • Creating a User Interface Panel
      • Overview
        • Creating and Using a UI Panel
      • Creating a UI Panel Interface
        • Panel Creation Routines
        • About the Panel Widget
        • Registering the Panel with the User Interface Object
        • Adding Observers
        • Create the Widget Hierarchy
        • Create Event Handlers
      • Creating Callback Routines
        • Callback Routine Signature
        • Registration of Callback Routines
        • Retrieving Widget State Information
      • Registering a UI Panel
        • Registering the Panel in the iTool Launch Routine
        • About the TYPE property
        • Changing the Panel Location
      • Example: A Simple UI Panel
        • Panel Creation Routine
        • Panel Event Handler Routine
        • Panel Callback Routine
        • Panel Type Specification
• IDL Language Reference
  • IDL Syntax
    • Elements of Syntax
    • Procedures
    • Functions
    • Arguments
    • Keywords
  • Alphabetical List of IDL Routines
    • Symbol
      • .COMPILE
      • .CONTINUE
      • .EDIT
      • .FULL_RESET_SESSION
      • .GO
      • .OUT
      • .RESET_SESSION
      • .RETURN
      • .RNEW
      • .RUN
      • .SKIP
      • .STEP
      • .STEPOVER
      • .TRACE
    • A
      • A_CORRELATE
      • ABS
      • ACOS
      • ADAPT_HIST_EQUAL
      • ALOG
      • ALOG10
      • AMOEBA
      • ANNOTATE
      • ARG_PRESENT
      • ARRAY_EQUAL
      • ARRAY_INDICES
      • ARROW
      • ASCII_TEMPLATE
      • ASIN
      • ASSOC
      • ATAN
      • AXIS
    • B
      • BAR_PLOT
      • BEGIN...END
      • BESELI
      • BESELJ
      • BESELK
      • BESELY
      • BETA
      • BILINEAR
      • BIN_DATE
      • BINARY_TEMPLATE
      • BINDGEN
      • BINOMIAL
      • BLAS_AXPY
      • BLK_CON
      • BOX_CURSOR
      • BREAK
      • BREAKPOINT
      • BROYDEN
      • BYTARR
      • BYTE
      • BYTEORDER
      • BYTSCL
    • C
      • C_CORRELATE
      • CALDAT
      • CALENDAR
      • CALL_EXTERNAL
      • CALL_FUNCTION
      • CALL_METHOD
      • CALL_PROCEDURE
      • CASE
      • CATCH
      • CD
      • CEIL
      • CHEBYSHEV
      • CHECK_MATH
      • CHISQR_CVF
      • CHISQR_PDF
      • CHOLDC
      • CHOLSOL
      • CINDGEN
      • CIR_3PNT
      • CLOSE
      • CLUST_WTS
      • CLUSTER
      • COLOR_CONVERT
      • COLOR_QUAN
      • COLORMAP_APPLICABLE
      • COMFIT
      • COMMON
      • COMPILE_OPT
      • COMPLEX
      • COMPLEXARR
      • COMPLEXROUND
      • COMPUTE_MESH_NORMALS
      • COND
      • CONGRID
      • CONJ
      • CONSTRAINED_MIN
      • CONTINUE
      • CONTOUR
      • CONVERT_COORD
      • CONVOL
      • COORD2TO3
      • COPY_LUN
      • CORRELATE
      • COS
      • COSH
      • CPU
      • CRAMER
      • CREATE_STRUCT
      • CREATE_VIEW
      • CROSSP
      • CRVLENGTH
      • CT_LUMINANCE
      • CTI_TEST
      • CURSOR
      • CURVEFIT
      • CV_COORD
      • CVTTOBM
      • CW_ANIMATE
      • CW_ANIMATE_GETP
      • CW_ANIMATE_LOAD
      • CW_ANIMATE_RUN
      • CW_ARCBALL
      • CW_BGROUP
      • CW_CLR_INDEX
      • CW_COLORSEL
      • CW_DEFROI
      • CW_FIELD
      • CW_FILESEL
      • CW_FORM
      • CW_FSLIDER
      • CW_LIGHT_EDITOR
      • CW_LIGHT_EDITOR_GET
      • CW_LIGHT_EDITOR_SET
      • CW_ORIENT
      • CW_PALETTE_EDITOR
      • CW_PALETTE_EDITOR_GET
      • CW_PALETTE_EDITOR_SET
      • CW_PDMENU
      • CW_RGBSLIDER
      • CW_TMPL
      • CW_ZOOM
    • D
      • DBLARR
      • DCINDGEN
      • DCOMPLEX
      • DCOMPLEXARR
      • DEFINE_KEY
      • DEFINE_MSGBLK
      • DEFINE_MSGBLK_FROM_FILE
      • DEFROI
      • DEFSYSV
      • DELVAR
      • DERIV
      • DERIVSIG
      • DETERM
      • DEVICE
      • DFPMIN
      • DIAG_MATRIX
      • DIALOG_MESSAGE
      • DIALOG_PICKFILE
      • DIALOG_PRINTERSETUP
      • DIALOG_PRINTJOB
      • DIALOG_READ_IMAGE
      • DIALOG_WRITE_IMAGE