Hi all We've had some recent conversations with Ferret users who haven't updated to PyFerret because they don't know Python, or they're worried that they'll have to change all their existing ferret scripts, or think that PyFerret is difficult to install. None of these is the case. Please try PyFerret and spread the word among your colleagues.
-- You don't need to know Python. PyFerret opens with the familiar "yes?" prompt. It runs Ferret commands and Ferret scripts. It has all of the functions of Ferret and is developed and maintained right along with Ferret so anything that's in Ferret is always in PyFerret. As with Ferret, you can also run big jobs in a "batch" mode without an open graphics window. (You can also go into python from Ferret. If you do know python, write in with your examples and use cases!)
-- PyFerret is backwards compatible. The Ferret
commands you use, including graphics commands, will work the same
as in Ferret. There are some extra options and expanded
capabilities, but you can look into those later and just run your
existing scripts as always. Here's a good old fashioned Ferret
session based on the FAQ
on climatological anomalies. If you run that with Ferret, it makes line_plot.gif (also attached to this message): Now, save those commands to a .jnl file and run it with PyFerret, just adding one line first to choose a different font: > mv ferret.jnl anomaly_script.jnlPyFerret runs the script, and saves the image not as a .gif file but a .png. Here's line_plot.png: -- Installation is the same as for Ferret. Go to the PyFerret Downloads pages in the Ferret web pages which will take you to the GitHub Release page, https://github.com/NOAA-PMEL/PyFerret/releases (just as the Ferret Downloads page has links that take you to https://github.com/NOAA-PMEL/Ferret/releases), get the tar file, and run an install script. There are environment settings that need to be made, and a script is generated to make those settings. You can keep classic-Ferret installed, and run it with the same environment settings. For lots more, see the PyFerret section in the green left-hand menu of the main Ferret Documentation page. In particular, for Ferret users: https://ferret.pmel.noaa.gov/Ferret/documentation/pyferret/why-use-pyferret, including
https://ferret.pmel.noaa.gov/Ferret/documentation/pyferret/pyferret-quick-start-notes new options from the Ferret command line: startup options; window settings; control over fonts and special symbols in text; new options for plot windows; control over line thickness and color; graphics output options such as png and svg. And so on. Throughout the Ferret manual, all PyFerret-specific information is set apart with a pink background, as in this page about options for the FRAME command. Or check out this about embedding special characters in labels, or this on font and text settings. Happy PyFerret-ing! Ansley |
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