Why is an IDL virtual machine required for the installation?

[rese_support]

IDL (Interactive Data Language) is used for the creation of all software distributed by ReSe Applications. It warrants cross-platform compatibility and allows for a fast and flexible development process. Any user is required to perforn an IDL installation for using our software. If you don't have access to a full IDL license, you may obtain the free IDL Virtual Machine from Exelis which allows to run the ReSe software. ENVI uses the same programming environment, i.e. it's also built on top of IDL. If your idl/envi installation is up and running, there's shouldn't be any need for an additional installation. The virtual machine is the runtime environment used to run all IDL programs. On windows, starting the IDL virtual machine is a call of the form: C:\Program Files\ITT\IDL\IDL81\bin\bin.x86_64\idlrt.exe -vm="xxx.sav"On unix, it's of the form idl -vm="xxx.sav" (of course the program path changes depending on your idl installation)After installation, IDL puts normally a list of commands in the Windows 'Start' menu; There you also should find the IDL Virtual Machine at: All Program > IDL 8.1 > Tools > IDL Virtual Machine.(Which is a link to the command: C:\Program Files\ITT\IDL\IDL81\bin\bin.x86_64\idlrt.exe -vm=) You may use this command also on the Windows command (cmd) - line to startup the IDL save file (such as 'identify.sav'). If this command is not available for any reason, you'd need to reinstall the idl virtual machine from the ReSe DVD or as a free download from Exelis.