MATLAB Alternative - Generate Random Variables & Plot Complex Functions

[EngWiPy]

Hi,

I need to use MATLAB to do some simulations on my laptop, but I don't have a license. Is there any other software I can use, that doesn't require a license? I mainly want to generate random variables, and plot functions that include exponential integrals and Bessel functions, and such non-basic functions. I know Mathematica, but it also requires a license.

Thanks in advnace

 

[DrClaude]

GNU Octave is basically a clone of Matlab.

 

[EngWiPy]

GNU Octave is basically a clone of Matlab.

Great! Downloading it. Thanks

 

[jedishrfu]

There's one I like called Freemat which supports the core MATLAB function and is easier to setup up (ie download and run):

http://freemat.sourceforge.net/

http://freemat.sourceforge.net/FreeMat-4.0.pdf

Octave is more comprehensive though.

There's also Julia but then you'd be straying further away from the Matlab fold:

www.julialang.org

 

[EngWiPy]

Thanks. Octave seems good and it has similar syntax to MATLAB. However, running a simple code, I noticed that I cannot save the figures in different formats (like .ps) as in MATLAB. But this is something minor, and I hope to find another way to include the figures in my LaTeX-based reports.

 

[Dr.D]

You may also want to look at SciLab, a freeware item.

 

[EngWiPy]

I didn't know about all these software! I will have to check them and make a comparison. I already downloaded Octave, and it seems good, but I will check the other suggested software. Thanks all for the suggestions. Much appreciated.

 

[jedishrfu]

Matlab has been around a long time. Its proprietary and they have extensive marketing and support to keep it on top. Students get a discount but companies pay a lot for it.

All the open source versions pale in comparison to the breadth and depth of Matlab.

The only serious open source competitors are Numerical Python and Julia. They are weaker in the IDE area though.

If someone marries Julia to Octave IDE then there’s a chance to really give a Matlab a run. Right now, Julia uses the Jupyter Notebook IDE which is awesome in its own way.

 

[EngWiPy]

Yes, MATLAB is a huge software and very powerful for matrix-based operations. I have used it in all my research. However, right now I am not doing research in an academic institution, and don't have access to a MATLAB software. I am just curious, how much does a MATLAB license cost for individual home user (not student)?

 

[Dr.D]

Yes, MATLAB is a huge software and very powerful for matrix-based operations. I have used it in all my research. However, right now I am not doing research in an academic institution, and don't have access to a MATLAB software. I am just curious, how much does a MATLAB license cost for individual home user (not student)?

I don't know a specific dollar amount, but it is far more than any individual wants to pay. This is one of my main objections to matlab; it is priced beyond reach.

My other objection is the arrogance of the vendor. They simply blow off criticism of their product. Some years back, I was employed at a US government lab, and they were absolutely fascinated with matlab, particularly in connection with Simulink. The results were always accepted without question; MATLAB said so, how could anyone ever say otherwise?

I devised a test problem, a simple ODE that is nearly impossible to correctly numerically integrate and ran it through matlab. It blew sky high, just as I expected. The MATLAB vendors simply denied the results, and I was considered a bad boy for shaking everyone's implicit faith in matlab.

 

[EngWiPy]

Someone told me it is $1000, but I didn't believe him I think if there is a competitor, the price will go down drastically, and they will be more open to criticism. But I find MATLAB is one of a kind software, and used heavily in large institutions, especially in academia.

 

[ChemAir]

From their site, looks like $860 for an annual license, $2,150 perpetual license.

 

[DrGreg]

Someone told me it is $1000, but I didn't believe him I think if there is a competitor, the price will go down drastically, and they will be more open to criticism. But I find MATLAB is one of a kind software, and used heavily in large institutions, especially in academia.

You can get prices from their website. As I live in the UK, the website will only give me UK prices which vary from £29 for a student to £1800 for commercial/government use (single-user perpetual excluding tax)

These are for the basic product only. They charge extra for add-on "toolboxes" which provide extra functions.

 

[EngWiPy]

On their website it says the online pricing is not available! So, it is true that its price is ~$1000. It is too much. Insane.