| Re: array dimensions [message #24658 is a reply to message #24591] |
Mon, 09 April 2001 09:49   |
Paul van Delst
Messages: 364
Registered: March 1997
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Senior Member |
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JD Smith wrote:
>
> Paul van Delst wrote:
>>
>> Martin Schultz wrote:
>>>
>>> Not a favorite keyword, but a favorite tool: Get a decent system (if
>>> you haven't one), install emacs with idlwave, run the routine-info
>>> collection, and then you have all the keywords you never knew but
>>> always dreamt about literally at your fingertips.
>>
>> Similar to typing "?" at the IDL prompt and getting similar info - with examples no less!
>> Gasp!
>
> Not even *sort of* similar. Yes, it's the same information (Carsten
> simply process the pdf manuals to get the documentation). But the
> access is amazingly better. Example:
>
> IDL> d=size(myvar,/
>
> Hmm what was that keyword to size? I'll hit [Tab] to see. Up comes:
I type "size" <Enter> in the Online help window (after alt-tab-ing to the app, or moving
mouse over app).
>
> Possible completions are:
> DIMENSIONS FILE_LUN
> L64 N_DIMENSIONS
> N_ELEMENTS STRUCTURE
> TNAME TYPE
>
> Aha, DIMENSIONS, I think that's it. Why don't I right click on it to
> find out. Up pops in the help window with help on size() displayed,
Help on size() is displayed for me and, if required <pageDown> gets me to "DIMENSIONS"
> and queued up to:
>
> DIMENSIONS
> Set this keyword to return the dimensions
> of Expression. If Expression is scalar, the
> result is a scalar containing a 0. For arrays,
> the result is an array containing the array
> dimensions. ...
>
> OK, dimensions it is, middle click on it:
don't take my hands off keyboard, but
> IDL> d=size(myvar,/DIMENSIONS
that's pretty neat (inserting it automagically like that).
> Aren't there some other arguments to size()? I don't recall. I'll just
> show the calling syntax. [C-c ?]. Here comes:
>
> Usage: Result = SIZE( Expression)
> Keywords: DIMENSIONS FILE_LUN L64 N_DIMENSIONS N_ELEMENTS STRUCTURE
> TNAME TYPE
> Source: Builtin
I get that up front.
>
> Hmm. I guess not. But what is that STUCTURE keyword all about. I don't
> remember that one. Why not right click on it (it's blue, which means it
> exists in the help).
Once again: <pageDown> (if required)
> STRUCTURE
> Set this keyword to return all available
> information about Expression in a structure.
>
> OK, I'll file that away for a rainy day.
Me too.
> As you can see, you soon
> become intimately aware of all the keywords in all your favorite
> routines, and able to summon them into existence with a few keystrokes.
Me too.
> One positive side effect of keyword completion is that I am no longer
> lazy when it comes to partial keywords (OK I'm still lazy, but IDLWAVE
> is not). No longer is my code littered with framents like
> "a=size(var,/DIME)" and other non-sequiturs.
I never did that anyway (except for /INFO instead of /INFORMATIONAL since "info" is a
common, understood contraction.) since I have an horrendous memory - but I concede that
keyword completion is an extremely handy/good-for-eliminating-fat-finger-errors type of
thing. When I first started using emacs, I found there was just too many
ctrl-alt-esc-shift-meta-letter/number sequences to remember.
Diffr'nt strokes, I guess.
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.
paul.vandelst@noaa.gov Alexander Pope.
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