Re: determining the display size (IDL)

[davidf(at)dfanning.com (David Fanning)]

Robert S. Mallozzi (mallors@msfc.nasa.gov) writes:

> You might want use the GET_SCREEN_SIZE () function
> instead, as it won't crash if the device is
> not set "properly":
> 
>     IDL> PRINT, !D.NAME
>     X
>     IDL> DEVICE, GET_SCREEN_SIZE = s & PRINT, s
>         1024     768
>     IDL> s = GET_SCREEN_SIZE () & PRINT, s
>     % Compiled module: GET_SCREEN_SIZE.
>           1024.00      768.000
>     IDL> SET_PLOT, 'PS'
>     IDL> DEVICE, GET_SCREEN_SIZE = s & PRINT, s
>     % Keyword GET_SCREEN_SIZE not allowed in call to: DEVICE
>     % Execution halted at:  $MAIN$                 
>     IDL> PRINT, !D.NAME
>     PS
>     IDL> s = GET_SCREEN_SIZE () & PRINT, s
>           1024.00      768.000

Whoa! Did you see the code for GET_SCREEN_SIZE!?

They realize an *unmapped* object draw widget
on the device. Then get the screen dimensions
from the window object. Nice trick, because
devices that don't support windows don't complain
until a window actually shows up on the display,
which this one never does. 

Who said objects weren't powerful! :-)

Cheers,

David

-- 
David Fanning, Ph.D.
Fanning Software Consulting
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