; docformat = 'rst'
;+
;Returns the global production flag that can be set using the sister 
;routine set_production flag. This is particulary useful for determining
;whether to update the observation catalogs and/or send PAN's.
;
; :Author:
;   Lon Riesberg: 07-26-2007
;   
; :Examples:
;   get_production_flag 
;-
;+
; :Returns:
;   Returns the global production flag that can be set using the sister
;   routine set_production flag. Returns (1) if in production mode, (0)
;   otherwise.
;-
function get_production_flag

   COMMON PRODUCTION, production_flag
   
   if n_elements(production_flag) gt 0 then begin
      if production_flag eq 1 then return, 1 $
      else return, 0
   endif
   return, -1

end