What is the Best Spreadsheet Application for Scientists?

  • Context: LaTeX 
  • Thread starter Thread starter nameman
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around identifying the best spreadsheet application for scientists, exploring various options and preferences based on functionality and user needs. The scope includes comparisons of software capabilities, programming alternatives, and user experiences.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the limitations of Excel and inquire about specific needs that it may not fulfill.
  • One participant suggests that for data analysis, applications like SPSS, SAS, or R may be more suitable than traditional spreadsheets.
  • Another participant mentions "OpenOffice.org Calc" as a Linux alternative to Excel, while also expressing a preference for LibreOffice for its cross-platform capabilities.
  • A participant notes that for serious number crunching, programming languages such as Python and MATLAB are preferred.
  • Gnumeric is proposed by another participant as a good spreadsheet application option.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of opinions on the best spreadsheet application, indicating that multiple competing views remain without a consensus on a single best option.

Contextual Notes

Some claims depend on specific user needs and contexts, which are not fully articulated. The discussion does not resolve which application is definitively superior.

nameman
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what goes in the blank?
 
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What's wrong with Excel? What do you need to do that Excel doesn't do? Using a programming language is probably the best fit.
 
Mostly just wondering what people think completes the analogy.
 
Depends on what you want to do. If you want to analyze data, then I'd say something like SPSS, SAS or R.
 
"OpenOffice.org Calc", which is Excel in Linux.
 
I like Serena said:
"OpenOffice.org Calc", which is Excel in Linux.

I prefer LibreOffice now. They're both cross platform.

For serious number crunching I use Python and MATLAB.
 
Gnumeric is also a good spreadsheet application.
 

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