What is the best computational software for a first year BS Mechanical student?

[Ali Asadullah]

I am student of BS Mechanical first year. I want to which is the best computational software for this level, i.e. Mathematica, Matlab or Maple any other?
Thank You

 

[boneh3ad]

Mathematica and Maple are not really the same type of software as Matlab. You will absolutely want Matlab. I (along with pretty much everyone I know) use it extensively and I have ever since undergrad. Mathematica and Maple can be useful but you will have to get someone else's opinion, as I have very limited experience with them.

 

[nvn]

Octave[/color] is the same as Matlab, except free[/color].

 

[Claws]

For a 1st year I would recommend MathCAD

 

[DyslexicHobo]

MathCAD is great, but lacks some fundamental features that are very easy to use with Matlab. MathCAD is easy to use, and has a great interface, but is terrible at solving systems of equations.