Name

---

      DEEP_COPY

Purpose

---

      Copy an item using deep copy.

Category

---

Calling Sequence

---

      out = deep_copy(in)

Inputs

---

      in = Input variable. in
        If this is not a compound
        type it is returned as is.

Keyword Parameters

---

Outputs

---

      out = Returned deep copy of in. out

Common Blocks

---

Notes

---

      Notes: Compound data types are structure, pointer, list
        and hash. Each either is a or can contain references to
        data in memory. Any changes to a copy that contains such
        a reference will change any other variable that contains
        that reference. A deep copy will construct a copy from
        the original items so it is an independent copy which
        may be changed.
     
        Objects (other than lists and hashes) will not be deep
        copied with this routine because there is not a standard
        way to access or rebuild the internal data. They will
        be copied in the normal way (shallow copy).

Modification History

---

      R. Sterner, 2013 Apr 15
  Copyright (C) 2013, Johns Hopkins University/Applied Physics Laboratory
  This software may be used, copied, or redistributed as long as it is not
  sold and this copyright notice is reproduced on each copy made. This
  routine is provided as is without any express or implied warranties
  whatsoever. Other limitations apply as described in the file disclaimer.txt.