IDL can be launched either from an X11 session or from a terminal-only session, but many of the traditional PPPL workflows assume an X display is available.

On the Linux cluster, the usual starting point is:

module load idl
# or, if you also need the NSTX / NSTX-U environment:
module load nstx
idl

If IDL cannot find a routine, the problem is usually your IDL_PATH or IDL_STARTUP configuration.

# csh / tcsh example
setenv IDL_PATH "~/MyIDLcode:$IDL_PATH"
setenv IDL_STARTUP "~/.idl_startup"

The PPPL convention has been to either keep individual routines on the path or compile a local startup file that pulls in a bundled routine set before you begin work.

Many older workflows assume X11 forwarding. When logging into PPPL systems from macOS, add -Y to ssh. On other platforms, use the equivalent X forwarding option in your client.

ssh -Y flux.pppl.gov

For color issues or flashing windows, see Limiting flashing when using IDL and Simple colors in IDL.

• How to get IDL help on older Macintosh setups
• MDS access from the UNIX cluster
• MDSplus access from IDL