IRAF HELP PAGE
Here are some hints that I have compiled during my learning process of IRAF. IRAF is a wonderful tool for data reduction and yet very daunting and frustrating to work with. There isn’t much documentation and what all there is, is very old. Yet, by learning new commands and tools in IRAF, we explore something new. Please visit IRAF FORUMS for questions. Here are some quick tips that you will find useful.
 
  1. • CONFIGURATION TIPS

       Saving output image files as “.fits” file. For this do the following

       cl> dataio
       cl> epar wfits
       In the iraf_files field type “*.imh” and in the “fits_files” field type “*.fits”. Now exit using :q
       
  2. • RANDOM COMMANDS

       cl> diskspace  # this checks the diskspace left on the computer
       cl> mkdir test  # creates a directory (folder) called “test”.
       cl> !rm -r test  # will delete the directory called “test”.
       cl> page imexamine  #page command will open the “.cl” file of a package.
       cl> unlearn dispcor  # set the dispcor values to default
       cl> lpar imstat  # lists parameters of a task (here it is imstat)
       cl> epar imstat # edits parameters of a task
       cl> ?                 # will show you all the packages in a level
       cl> ??               # will show all the packages in iraf

  3. • USE OF CTRL COMMANDS

       : q      # this is used to exit from editor    
       ctrl d  # this can be used instead of “:q” when exiting
       cl> log  # is used to logout of IRAF
       ctrl z    # this can be used instead of the above command