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+---
+format: rst
+categories: software
+toc: yes
+...
+
+==================
+IDL
+==================
+
+IDL is the "interactive data language", a clunky old propriatary numerical
+analysis language still used by the astronomical community.
+
+Language Design
+-----------------
+
+IDL is "pass by reference", which means that arguments to functions are always
+variable pointers, not the actual value (the alternative is usually to pass by
+copy, where the value gets passed through to a new variable inside the function.One side effect of this is that return values are collected by passing a
+recieving variable name as an argument to functions.
+
+Syntax
+-----------------
+
+Procedures are called with a comma seperated list-like syntax where the first
+element is the procedure and the following elements are arguments.
+
+Command Interface
+-----------------
+
+Instead of the ever-standard ``!`` to execute system commands, use ``$``.
+
+