Re: Good text for beginners? [message #23796] |
Mon, 19 February 2001 14:18 |
Ben Tupper
Messages: 186 Registered: August 1999
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Senior Member |
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Hello,
In addition to the recommendations for David's book (to which I add my own) , I
think that Ronn Kling's book, 'Application Development with IDL' should be
included. It's target audience is mid-level programmers. I found it helpful
when I got into the down-and-dirty of making object-based widget applications.
Each book represents money well spent.
Ben
P.S. Ronn's book makes use of the Reverse_indices from histogram. Everytime
JD or Craig post something using the histogram and reverse indices I dig out
Ronn's book.
Dan Drew wrote:
> I'm trying to learn IDL 5.2 for Windows and I'm a beginner, and have
> discovered quickly that this is no easy language. I used Mathematica quite
> a bit as well as a little Macsyma. Do any of you have a recommendation for
> a beginning text? I suppose the Fanning book would be the natural choice,
> but I'm not sure. Thanks.
>
> Dan
--
Ben Tupper
248 Lower Round Pond Road
POB 106
Bristol, ME 04539
Tel: (207) 563-1048
Email: PemaquidRiver@tidewater.net
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Re: Good text for beginners? [message #23797 is a reply to message #23796] |
Mon, 19 February 2001 09:20  |
Paul van Delst
Messages: 364 Registered: March 1997
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Senior Member |
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Kelly Dean wrote:
>
> My suggestions to students that become first time IDL users here at CSU -
> review Dave Fanning's IDL Programming Techniques. It's not only helpful for
> beginners, but it teaches you how to use IDL correctly. I see many people with
> knowledge of FORTRAN or C attempt to program in IDL, only to see them become
> frustrated and label IDL as a slow and cumbersome langauge.
Well, it *is* slow. (I say that with raised eyebrows, not fists :o)
paulv
--
Paul van Delst A little learning is a dangerous thing;
CIMSS @ NOAA/NCEP Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring;
Ph: (301)763-8000 x7274 There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,
Fax:(301)763-8545 And drinking largely sobers us again.
pvandelst@ncep.noaa.gov Alexander Pope.
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Re: Good text for beginners? [message #23798 is a reply to message #23797] |
Mon, 19 February 2001 08:41  |
Kelly Dean
Messages: 92 Registered: March 1997
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Member |
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My suggestions to students that become first time IDL users here at CSU -
review Dave Fanning's IDL Programming Techniques. It's not only helpful for
beginners, but it teaches you how to use IDL correctly. I see many people with
knowledge of FORTRAN or C attempt to program in IDL, only to see them become
frustrated and label IDL as a slow and cumbersome langauge.
Kelly
Dan Drew wrote:
> I'm trying to learn IDL 5.2 for Windows and I'm a beginner, and have
> discovered quickly that this is no easy language. I used Mathematica quite
> a bit as well as a little Macsyma. Do any of you have a recommendation for
> a beginning text? I suppose the Fanning book would be the natural choice,
> but I'm not sure. Thanks.
>
> Dan
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Re: Good text for beginners? [message #23809 is a reply to message #23807] |
Sun, 18 February 2001 06:49  |
davidf
Messages: 2866 Registered: September 1996
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Senior Member |
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Dan Drew (ddrew@new.rr.com) writes:
> I'm trying to learn IDL 5.2 for Windows and I'm a beginner, and have
> discovered quickly that this is no easy language. I used Mathematica quite
> a bit as well as a little Macsyma. Do any of you have a recommendation for
> a beginning text? I suppose the Fanning book would be the natural choice,
> but I'm not sure.
Worse. I think the Fanning book might be your *only*
choice. :-(
Cheers,
David
--
David Fanning, Ph.D.
Fanning Software Consulting
Phone: 970-221-0438 E-Mail: davidf@dfanning.com
Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming: http://www.dfanning.com/
Toll-Free IDL Book Orders: 1-888-461-0155
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