IDL, the Interactive Data Language, is software for data analysis, visualization, and cross-platform application development. IDL combines tools for projects ranging from “quick-look,” interactive analysis and display to large-scale commercial programming projects in an easy-to-use, fully extensible environment.
The IDL software may be used by faculty, staff and/or students on UVA-owned hardware connected to the UVA network (on-Grounds or through an ISP using the VPN client) for the purpose of teaching, research and administration. It may not be installed on personally-owned computers, i.e., student laptops or home computers. However, students, only, may use IDL by using Remote Desktop when accessed from a personally-owned computer.
IDL Availability
The University has 40 floating network licenses for IDL (version 8.8) on the following platforms: UNIX/Linux, Mac and Windows. In addition to the standard IDL environment functionality, the University has 10 floating network licenses for the IDL Wavelet Toolkit on the same platforms.
Users off-Grounds must be connected to the Internet and authenticated to the UVA network the UVA VPN client (Windows or Mac OS X) so that a continual connection is maintained with the license server/manager on ITS’s UNIX Server.
Windows Installation
Users who wish to install IDL on their PC running Windows can download IDL from the UVA Software Gateway.
Note that to use one of the floating network licenses, the PC must be connected to the University network either on Grounds or through an ISP. Off-Grounds use must take place via the UVA VPN client.
For installation instructions, please refer to the appropriate section of the Installation Guide. Refer to the section entitled “Configure Clients to Access the License Server” for instructions on licensing IDL.
The license server and correct port can be found on your IDL order.
Mac OS Installation
Users who wish to install IDL on their Mac can download IDL and the license file from the UVA Software Gateway.
Note that to use one of the floating network licenses, the Mac must be connected to the University network either on grounds or through an ISP. Off-Grounds use must take place via the UVA VPN client.
For more detailed installation instructions, please refer to the appropriate section of the Installation Guide. Refer to the section on licensing IDL for UNIX and Macintosh for instructions on how to license IDL.
The license server and correct port can be found on your IDL order.
Questions? Email res-consult@virginia.edu.