IDL-Python Bridge: Which Python versions are compatible with each release of IDL?

The IDL-Python bridge is a versatile tool that allows you to call Python routines/code from within IDL or vice versa. You can learn more about this handy feature HERE. However, it is important to know that each version of IDL supports only a few specific Python versions which have shifted over the years for each IDL release. The following table details the Python versions which are compatible with each release of IDL since the Python bridge was introduced.

 

Python version

IDL version

2.7

3.4

3.5

3.6

3.7

3.8

3.9

3.10

3.11

3.12

3.13

3.14

8.5

✅

✅

8.5.1

✅

✅

8.5.2

✅

✅

✅

8.6

✅

✅

✅

8.6.1

✅

✅

✅

✅

8.7

✅

✅

✅

✅

8.7.1

✅

✅

✅

8.7.2

✅

✅

✅

8.7.3

✅

✅

✅

8.8

✅

✅

✅

8.8.1

✅

✅

✅

✅

8.8.2

✅

✅

✅

✅

8.8.3

✅

✅

✅

✅

8.9

✅

✅

✅

9.0

✅

✅

✅

✅

9.1

✅

✅

✅

✅

9.2

✅

✅

✅📦

9.3

✅

✅

✅📦

NOTE: IDL versions prior to 8.5 do not support Python bridge functionality. 
NOTE: Beginning with IDL 9.2, a single compatible version of Python is packaged inside of the IDL installation (📦). 

 

 

 

Created by BC-US (10/26/2023) | Reviewed by JU (10/27/2023) | Last Updated by JU (8/19/2026)