NAME

PDLA - the Perl Data Language

DESCRIPTION

(For the exported PDLA constructor, pdl(), see PDLA::Core)

PDLA is the Perl Data Language, a perl extension that is designed for scientific and bulk numeric data processing and display. It extends perl's syntax and includes fully vectorized, multidimensional array handling, plus several paths for device-independent graphics output.

PDLA is fast, comparable and often outperforming IDL and MATLAB in real world applications. PDLA allows large N-dimensional data sets such as large images, spectra, etc to be stored efficiently and manipulated quickly.

VECTORIZATION

For a description of the vectorization (also called "threading"), see PDLA::Core.

INTERACTIVE SHELL

The PDLA package includes an interactive shell. You can learn about it, run perldoc perldl, or run the shell perldl or pdl2 and type help.

LOOKING FOR A FUNCTION?

If you want to search for a function name, you should use the PDLA shell along with the "help" or "apropos" command (to do a fuzzy search). For example:

 pdl> apropos xval
 xlinvals        X axis values between endpoints (see xvals).
 xlogvals        X axis values logarithmicly spaced...
 xvals           Fills a piddle with X index values...
 yvals           Fills a piddle with Y index values. See the CAVEAT for xvals.
 zvals           Fills a piddle with Z index values. See the CAVEAT for xvals.

To learn more about the PDLA shell, see perldl or pdl2.

LANGUAGE DOCUMENTATION

Most PDLA documentation describes the language features. The number of PDLA pages is too great to list here. The following pages offer some guidance to help you find the documentation you need.

PDLA::FAQ

Frequently asked questions about PDLA. This page covers a lot of questions that do not fall neatly into any of the documentation categories.

PDLA::Tutorials

A guide to PDLA's tutorial-style documentation. With topics from beginner to advanced, these pages teach you various aspects of PDLA step by step.

PDLA::Modules

A guide to PDLA's module reference. Modules are organized by level (foundation to advanced) and by category (graphics, numerical methods, etc) to help you find the module you need as quickly as possible.

PDLA::Course

This page compiles PDLA's tutorial and reference pages into a comprehensive course that takes you from a complete beginner level to expert.

PDLA::Index

List of all available documentation, sorted alphabetically. If you cannot find what you are looking for, try here.

MODULES

PDLA includes about a dozen perl modules that form the core of the language, plus additional modules that add further functionality. The perl module "PDLA" loads all of the core modules automatically, making their functions available in the current perl namespace. Some notes:

Modules loaded by default

See the SYNOPSIS section at the end of this document for a list of modules loaded by default.

PDLA::Lite and PDLA::LiteF

These are lighter-weight alternatives to the standard PDLA module. Consider using these modules if startup time becomes an issue.

Exports

use PDLA; exports a large number of routines into the calling namespace. If you want to avoid namespace pollution, you must instead use PDLA::Lite, and include any additional modules explicitly.

PDLA::NiceSlice

Note that the PDLA::NiceSlice syntax is NOT automatically loaded by use PDLA;. If you want to use the extended slicing syntax in a standalone script, you must also say use PDLA::NiceSlice;.

PDLA::Math

The PDLA::Math module has been added to the list of modules for versions later than 2.3.1. Note that PDLA::Math is still not included in the PDLA::Lite and PDLA::LiteF start-up modules.

SYNOPSIS

 use PDLA; # Is equivalent to the following:

   use PDLA::Core;
   use PDLA::Ops;
   use PDLA::Primitive;
   use PDLA::Ufunc;
   use PDLA::Basic;
   use PDLA::Slices;
   use PDLA::Bad;
   use PDLA::MatrixOps;
   use PDLA::Math;
   use PDLA::Version;
   use PDLA::Lvalue;