Compatibility

IDL/GDL and MATLAB compatibility layers.

Overview

XDL provides compatibility with:

  • IDL (Interactive Data Language) - Full syntax and function compatibility
  • GDL (GNU Data Language) - Compatible with GDL extensions
  • MATLAB - Subset of MATLAB syntax and functions

IDL/GDL Compatibility

Supported IDL Commands

XDL implements a comprehensive set of IDL commands and functions:

  • Array Functions - FINDGEN, FLTARR, INDGEN, etc.
  • Math Functions - SIN, COS, EXP, LOG, SQRT, etc.
  • I/O Functions - PRINT, READ, OPENR, WRITEU, etc.
  • Graphics - PLOT, SURFACE, CONTOUR, etc.
  • Control Flow - IF/THEN/ELSE, FOR, WHILE, FOREACH

See IDL Command Status for complete list.

IDL Syntax Support 

; IDL-compatible syntax
a = findgen(100)
b = sin(a * !pi / 50)
plot, a, b, title='Sine Wave', xtitle='X', ytitle='Y'

; Structures
struct = {name: 'Test', value: 42}

; Keywords
result = function_name(arg1, arg2, KEYWORD=value)

Documentation

MATLAB Compatibility

Supported MATLAB Features

XDL can run many MATLAB programs:

  • Basic Operations - Arithmetic, arrays, matrices
  • Math Functions - sin, cos, sqrt, exp, log, etc.
  • Array Functions - size, length, reshape, transpose
  • Plotting - plot, scatter, surf, mesh
  • Control Flow - if/else, for, while

MATLAB Syntax 

% MATLAB code running in XDL
x = 1:100;
y = sin(x * pi / 50);
plot(x, y);
title('Sine Wave');
xlabel('X');
ylabel('Y');

Auto-Transpilation

XDL automatically transpiles MATLAB code:

# Run MATLAB file directly
xdl script.m

# XDL detects .m extension and transpiles automatically

Documentation

Migration Guide

From IDL to XDL

Most IDL code runs without changes:

; IDL code - works directly in XDL
data = findgen(1000)
result = fft(data)
plot, abs(result)

From MATLAB to XDL

MATLAB code may need minor adjustments:

% MATLAB
A = [1, 2, 3];     % May need adjustment

% XDL equivalent
A = [1, 2, 3]      % Works in some cases

See MATLAB Limitations for details.

Compatibility Status

Feature IDL GDL MATLAB Status
Basic Syntax ✅ ✅ ⚠️ Complete/Partial
Arrays ✅ ✅ ✅ Complete
Math Functions ✅ ✅ ✅ Complete
Graphics ✅ ✅ ⚠️ Mostly Complete
I/O ✅ ✅ ⚠️ In Progress
Structures ✅ ✅ ❌ IDL/GDL Only
OOP ⚠️ ⚠️ ❌ Partial
Legend: ✅ Complete ⚠️ Partial ❌ Not Supported

Testing

Test your compatibility:

# Run IDL code
xdl idl_script.pro

# Run GDL code
xdl gdl_script.gdl

# Run MATLAB code
xdl matlab_script.m