GDL 1.1, a smart and green language

TL;DR

GDL 1.1 is a continuously developed, efficient, and green interpreter for IDL, featuring stable widgets, HPC support, and extensive astronomical procedures, suitable for long-term scientific projects.

Contribution

This paper introduces GDL 1.1's new features, performance improvements, and its role as a sustainable, efficient, and community-supported IDL interpreter.

Findings

GDL demonstrates excellent computational performance across benchmarks.

Supports HPC environments with SHMMAP and Bridge functions.

Maintains a stable, reliable syntax suitable for long-term projects.

Abstract

GDL, a free interpreter for the IDL language, continues to develop smoothly, driven by feedback and requests from an increasingly active and growing user base, especially since GDL was made available on GitHub. Among the most notable features introduced in recent years are stable Widgets; extensive testing on M1, M2, and M3 processors; excellent computational performance (including OpenMP support) demonstrated across a comprehensive benchmark; simplified compilation and installation processes; and the availability of SHMMAP and Bridge functions, which enable concurrent GDL runs on shared RAM in HPC environments. As developers of GDL, we believe this language holds a valuable place in today's world, where efficiency and low-power computing are essential. GDL (not to mention IDL), written in C/C++, demonstrates exceptional efficiency in "real-world" benchmarks, making it one of the few interpreted languages that can truly be considered "green." Moreover, it is likely the only interpreter accompanied by a vast collection of free, well-tested, and proven astronomical procedures developed by colleagues over the years. GDL also stands out for its suitability for long-term projects, thanks to its stable and reliable syntax.