IDL

• IDL Overview
• IDL License Information
• Obtain a personal copy of IDL
• Use IDL on the App2Go Server
• Manuals & Training
• FAQs
• Support & Consultation
• VCU IDL Listserv 

IDL Overview

IDL (Interactive Data Language) from ITT is a timesaving solution for data analysis, data visualization, and software application development. From “quick-look” analysis and display to commercial programming projects, IDL combines the technology and tools you need with a modern, extensible environment.   Details on IDL capbilities are available on the IDL website.

IDL License Information

There are twentyfive (25) concurrent use licenses of IDL (Interactive Data Language) available for use by current VCU faculty, staff and students.  Five (5) IDL licenses are available on the App2Go Server.   IDL is licensed on the Windows, Mac, Linux and Solaris platforms. 

IDL License Restrictions:

• May only be used by current VCU faculty, staff and students
• May only be used on campus - exclusively for academic/research use
• May not be used for commercial gain
• May not be modified
• May only be shared with others at VCU who register a license
• Must be uninstalled when you are no longer affiliated with VCU

Obtain a personal copy of IDL

• Download and Register IDL for Windows 
  When you register, an e-mail message with installation and configuration instructions will be sent to your VCU e-mail account.
  Configuration is required to obtain a concurrent license to run IDL.
• Request installation media for Mac, Linux or Solaris platforms

• Purchase ENVI+IDL Student Edition license
  This is a 12-month fully functioning current release of ENVI or IDL software, available to full-time students enrolled in an accredited, degree granting institution.

Use IDL on the App2Go Server

Using a Windows, Mac or Linux computer,  you are able to access IDL via a browser window.  Although IDL runs on the App2Go Server, it appears to be running on your PC.   You can open, save and print files from your PC.   Applications on the App2Go server are available to support research projects and are not intended for instructional use. 

Current VCU faculty, staff and students may request an App2Go account to access IDL on the App2Go Server. Documentation on how to use of the App2Go Server will provide you details such as system requirements, installation, opening files, saving files and printing.

Manuals and Training

• IDL Tutorials
• Manuals and Programming Guides 
• Web Seminars 
• IDL Events and Training
• Curriculum Resources Library
• Introduction to IDL- U of Minnesota
• Using IDL to Manipulate and Visualize Scientific Data- National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX)
• IDL Tutorial - U of Michigan

FAQs

• IDL FAQs - ITT Visual Information Solutions

Support and Consulation

• For assistance with using IDL on the App2Go Server, Contact the VCU Technology Services Help Desk.
• ITT Academic Community Forum

VCU IDL Listserv

VCU  faculty, staff and students who are subscribed to the IDL-L LISTSERV (mailing list) receive notifications of IDL upgrades, etc.  Those who registered their license on the VCU Software Download Registration webpage are automatically added to this list. In some departments technical support staff register a block of licenses. If users whose licenses are registered by their technical support staff wish to receive listserv notifications for this product they should subscribe.

To subscribe to the VCU IDL-L LISTSERV send the following e-mail from your VCU e-mail account to listserv@lists.vcu

                                    subscribe IDL-L firstname lastname

Note:  Be sure to substitute your firstname and lastname in the subscribe statement  

This page was updated on Friday, October 23, 2009