---
name: "irafcl"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "iraf"
version: "2.18.1-2"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/irafcl"
---

# irafcl(1)

IRAF Command Language Interpreter

## NAME

IRAFCL - IRAF Command Language Interpreter

## SYNOPSIS

irafcl \[**-V**\|**-c**\|**-e**\] \[**-f** *FILE*\]

ecl \[**-V**\|**-c**\|**-e**\] \[**-f** *FILE*\]

cl \[**-V**\|**-c**\|**-e**\] \[**-f** *FILE*\]

## DESCRIPTION

**irafcl**, **ecl** or **cl** starts up the command language interpreter for IRAF, the Image Reduction and Analysis Facility.  It can be fed a series of commands that will be executed in sequence.

The ECL (Enhanced CL) has a number of features over CL, including better error handling, command line editing, new functions and constants. Unless for compatibility reasons, ECL should be used over CL.

Because the names **ecl** and **cl** conflict with other commonly used command names for Common Lisp, the canonical name of the interpreter is **irafcl**, which defaults to **ECL** behaviour.

- **-V**

  Show version of program.

- **-e**

  Force enhanced CL (command line editing etc.)

- **-c**

  Force classic CL

- **-x**

  Start in a new xgterm (or xterm if xgterm is not available)

- **-f** *FILE*

  Start with executing FILE

## AUTHOR

Created by Ole Streicher for the IRAF community