Know about Scilab...........

What is Scilab ..??

Scilab is an open source, cross-platform numerical computational package and a high-level, numerically oriented programming language. It can be used for signal processing, statistical analysis, image enhancement, fluid dynamicssimulations, numerical optimization, and modeling, simulation of explicit and implicit dynamical systems and (if the corresponding toolbox is installed) symbolic manipulations. MATLAB code, which is similar in syntax, can be converted to Scilab. Scilab is one of several open source alternatives to MATLAB.

Scilab is a high-level, numerically oriented programming language. The language provides an interpreted programming environment, with matrices as the main data type. By using matrix-based computation, dynamic typing, andautomatic memory management, many numerical problems may be expressed in a reduced number of code lines, as compared to similar solutions using traditional languages, such as Fortran, C, or C++. This allows users to rapidly construct models for a range of mathematical problems. While the language provides simple matrix operations such as multiplication, the Scilab package also provides a library of high-level operations such as correlation and complex multidimensional arithmetic. The software can be used for signal processing, statistical analysis, image enhancement, fluid dynamics simulations, and numerical optimization.

Scilab also includes a free package called Xcos (based on Scicos) for modeling and simulation of explicit and implicit dynamical systems, including both continuous and discrete sub-systems. Xcos can be compared to Simulink fromthe MathWorks.

As the syntax of Scilab is similar to MATLAB, Scilab includes a source code translator for assisting the conversion of code from MATLAB to Scilab. Scilab is available free of cost under an open source license. Due to the open source nature of the software, some user contributions have been integrated into the main program.

What does Scilab do ?

Scilab includes hundreds of mathematical functions. It has a high level programming language allowing access to advanced data structures, 2-D and 3-D graphical functions. 

A large number of functionalities is included in Scilab:

• Maths & Simulation
  For usual engineering and science applications including mathematical operations and data analysis. 
• 2-D & 3-D Visualization
  Graphics functions to visualize, annotate and export data and many ways to create and customize various types of plots and charts. 
• Optimization
  Algorithms to solve constrained and unconstrained continuous and discrete optimization problems. 
• Statistics
  Tools to perform data analysis and modeling 
• Control System Design & Analysis
  Standard algorithms and tools for control system study 
• Signal Processing
  Visualize, analyze and filter signals in time and frequency domains. 
• Application Development
  Increase Scilab native functionalities and manage data exchanges with external tools.
• Xcos - Hybrid dynamic systems modeler and simulator
  Modeling mechanical systems, hydraulic circuits, control systems...

Scilab as a platform

Thanks to its ability to interconnect with third-party technologies andapplications, Scilab can also act as a unique platform to bring together codes written in different programming languages in a single, unified language, thus facilitating their distribution, their back-up and use.

Why is it free ?

Because Scilab is open source A entire community of contributors participates to the development of Scilab, from contribution to the code, development of external modules to the localization. The international scientific community, both academic and industrial spheres, invests in Scilab to gather recent scientific breakthroughs in the field of numerical computation. Because Scilab is funded by Scilab Enterprises Scilab Enterprises is the publisher and professional services provider of Scilab. Industrial companies benefit directly from this expertise to get the solution suited to their needs through a comprehensive range of support, migration, development services and the implementation of specific applications. Scilab Environment Since Scilab 5.4.0, Scilab environment by default displays the following windows docked - console, files browser, variables browser and history browser. SciNotes The text editor is integrated into Scilab. Il enables easy script edition with autocompletion, automatic indentation, code navigator, statement executing possibility and to manage multiple instances. Variables Editor The variables editor allows you to edit the values of matrices and view all or part of a Scilab variable. You can also copy / paste values from a spreadsheet or from another application. Embedded Help Scilab functions are detailed with examples of use to get started more easily with the possibility to execute example directly into Scilab/Xcos. Navigation is easy thanks to a help browser, links in between functions pages and within the given examples.