Version 1.5 [Jan 21st 2009]
Purpose: Automatic translation from an IDL program into Matlab and Scilab code
IDL <www.ResearchSystems.com> and Matlab <http://www.mathworks.com/>
are two major numerical languages for scientists. Additionally, Scilab
<http://www-rocq.inria.fr/scilab/>
is a free Matlab-like software, which integrates a high compatibility
(syntax, functions, graphics, user interfaces).
Many
IDL programs have been developed in large facilities studying
astrophysics, geology,medicine, particle and nuclear physics.
On
the other hand, Matlab is widely used in smaller laboratories
(universities, national scientific agencies, ...). In order to extend
the portability of such IDL programs, we are developing an automatic
translator from IDL to Matlab and Scilab.
This translator works as follow:
The translation also performs an IDL syntax check,
and reports possible
warnings and errors into a Log.
This
library is quite big, and covers the most useful IDL/Matlab functions,
particularly mathematical functions, basic plotting functions,
widgets/uicontrols
Availability
Installation
IDL2Matlab works on all systems
(Unix/Linux/Windows). It is built upon lex/yacc and programmed in C.
Compilation of the translator does not require lex/yacc.
The usage
of the translator is done through the command line.
Unix/Linux/MacOSX
systems:
(you need a C compiler such as gcc)
For Windows systems: (you need a C compiler
such as Dev-Cpp/MinGW
gcc)
Current status of the project:
The project was started October 2001. It became operational on
Autumn 2002. The translator is not perfect, and may fail for
unsupported IDL grammar. Some functions are not translated.
However, the translator works already very well.
Limitations: object translation, and most complex plotting routines are
not supported.
Developers:
Coordinators: Didier Richard <richard(at)ill.eu>
and Emmanuel Farhi <farhi(at)ill.fr>
Team 1: BENZAGHIOUA Adbeslam, GARDON Lucien, SYLVESTRE Nadege, AZZI
MAURIER Karim
Team 2: BOURTEMBOURG Reynald, CORTINA Stephane, SZCZUCZAK Nadege