So, what is IDL? What can it do for me?

IDL is:

1. A command-line driven
2. Scientific graphics package.
3. With code for MET Office models and major satellite datasets

``Command-line driven'' means that you use it by typing instructions at a prompt. ``Scientific graphics package'' means that its purpose in life is to turn your dull files full of data into exciting-looking, informative, illuminating pictures.

This has several advantages: you can put a ``stop'' in and look at all the variables. You can have a quick look and write a proper program if you need to do something more than once etc BUT it makes it slower to run than say C