[clug] Fwd: Matlab alternatives

[Logan Ryan McLintock]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Logan Ryan McLintock <mclintocklr at gmail.com>
> Subject: Matlab alternatives
> Date: 15 August 2013 7:42:02 PM AEST
> To: "linux at lists.samba.org" <linux at lists.samba.org>
> 
> Bradimir asked me about Matlab alternatives last PSIG meeting,
> 
> These are my thoughts;
> 
> 
> Eigen - very high performance c++ header files - no installation - cross platform, g++ obviously gives best performance. Pretty much demolishes everything when it comes to linear algebra (you choose the algorithms - so great transparency). Will need to use in conjunction with other c++ libraries to get the full functionality that Matlab has.
> If you can manage to make the transition to c++, you will be greatly rewarded as there are custom libraries for nearly anything mathematical -- MANY times faster than Matlab -- you will be shocked!
> Oh, by the way, for high performance numerical programming, you should never write a for loop etc (almost never). If you are writing for loops, you should really be using a library, that benefits from fully optimised code, and professional debugging etc.
> 
> 
> Scilab - looks and feels like Matlab, great help files - good everyday alternative.
> 
> GNU Octave - will be totally gangster, but still not 100% functioning (finished) on all platforms?
> 
> R - great for stats
> 
> 
> Other people might have better suggestions - I would be interested too =)
> 
> Cheers,
> Logan