Using External Code

The use of programs written in languages other than IDL—either by calling code from an IDL program via CALL_EXTERNAL or LINKIMAGE or via the callable IDL mechanism—is an inherently platform-dependent process. Writing a cross-platform IDL program that uses CALL_EXTERNAL or LINKIMAGE requires that you provide the appropriate programs or shared libraries for each platform your application will support, and is beyond the scope of this chapter. Similarly, the Callable IDL mechanism is necessarily different from platform to platform. See the External Development Guide for details on writing and using external code along with IDL.