| IDL vs. PV-WAVE [message #9163] |
Tue, 10 June 1997 00:00 |
gpetty
Messages: 7
Registered: June 1997
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Junior Member |
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This has got to be a novice FAQ, but I can't find a FAQ file that
addresses it:
What is the difference between IDL and PV-WAVE? I had understood they
were two competing packages that did similar things, but the name of
this newsgroup (comp.lang.idl-pvwave), plus the fact that EVERYONE
here is talking only about IDL (at least today), seems to suggest
otherwise.
Anyway, I am looking at purchasing an IDL-like package for my research
group and, assuming that PV-WAVE and IDL really are distinct
creatures, would like to know what the crucial differences are. My
applications will include the interactive graphic display and
statistical analysis of scientific data sets and the preparation of
publication quality figures on HP workstations. Particularly useful
features would be the ability to project geographically referenced
data as polygons, raster images, labeled contours, etc. on an
arbitrary geographical map. Also, the ability to interactively label
and edit plots and then produce PostScript output would be nice.
Finally, the ability to read directly binary data in various formats
directly from tape, rather than having to stage it to disk first, and
to directly manipulate tape drives, would be nice. I have no idea how
well either IDL or PV-WAVE matches these requirements.
After looking around this ng, I have to admit to being put off by a
couple of seemingly recurring complaints about IDL: (1) persistent and
difficult-to-work-around bugs in basic plotting routines -- e.g.,
missing grid lines, etc., and (2) the apparently steep learning curve,
based on people's remarks about the need for expensive IDL training
courses to learn widgets, etc. After years of struggling with similar
problems with the NCAR Graphics package routines, I would really love
to get my hands on a package that works dependably and which is easy
for new users to figure out how to use from the hardcopy docs. This
is especially true if I'm going to have to pay several $1000 for the
package. Comments?
thanks
Grant
--
Grant W. Petty |Assoc. Prof., Atmospheric Science
Dept. of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences |Voice: (317)-494-2544
Purdue University |Fax: (317)-496-1210
West Lafayette, IN 47907-1397, USA |Email: gpetty@rain.atms.purdue.edu
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