On Feb 24, 8:52 am, David Fanning <n...@dfanning.com> wrote:
> Folks,
>
> 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."
>
> "Focusing on Software for Science."
>
> ;*******************************************************
>
> Bill Okubo, ID Product Manager.
>
> 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.")
Wow!! Sounds great. I can’t wait.
Cheers
Dave
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