What are some Linux-compatible MATLAB substitutes?

Question

It seems you need a license to use MATLAB. I do not have one so I was wondering if there was some highly-compatible substitute for it in Linux.

Answer 1

GNU Octave has "a language that is mostly compatible with MATLAB". They also have a section in their FAQ about MATLAB compatibility that covers pretty much all the difficulties/differences between the two.

Depending on what exactly you need to do:

• gnuplot is good for basic-intermediate graphing
• matplotlib (using Python) is also good for graphing
• Maxima is a computer algebra system

Answer 2

• Octave/ KOctive (GUI).
• Scilab
• Matplotlib
• Sage

I'm not sure if these are applicable without knowing what you're trying to achieve.

Sadly, you won't get anything as powerful as Matlab without paying up.

Answer 3

There is Octave, an open source Matlab-like program. Don't know how compatible it is with the 'real' Matlab.

Answer 4

Besides Octave, check also: Pari/GP http://pari.math.u-bordeaux.fr/download.html

Answer 5

1. Octave
2. Scilab
3. Python + SciPy + MatPlotLib

Answer 6

Again depending on what exactly you need to do

• R - a free software environment for statistical computing and graphics.