Scilab is a numerical computational package developed by INRIA and École nationale des ponts et chaussées (ENPC), both organisations located in France.
It is a high level programming language in that most of its functionality is based around the ability to specify many computations with few lines of code. It does this primarily by abstracting primitive data types to functionally equivalent matrices.
Scilab has been designed to be an open system where the user can define new data types and operations on these data types by using overloading.
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.
Scilab syntax is largely based on the MATLAB language.
The software has been in development since 1994.
Key Features
- 2-D and 3-D graphics, animation.
- Linear algebra, sparse matrices.
- Polynomials and rational functions.
- Interpolation, approximation.
- Simulation: ODE solver and DAE solver.
- Scicos: a hybrid dynamic systems modeler and simulator.
- Classic and robust control, LMI optimization.
- Differentiable and non-differentiable optimization.
- Signal processing.
- Metanet: graphs and networks.
- Parallel Scilab.
- Statistics.
- Interface with Computer Algebra: Maple package for Scilab code generation.
- Interface with Fortran, Tcl/Tk, C, C++, Java, LabVIEW.
- Xcos provides a new state of the art user interface for Scicos (INRIA) which allows to take all advantages of the powerful simulator.
- ATOMS is an embedded packaging system for Scilabmodules (toolboxes).
- LaTeX/MathMl.
- Unified and consistent API.
- SciNotes Text editor:
- Code navigator.
- On-the-fly typing completion.
- Multiple editor instances management.
- GUI customization.
- Last session restoration.
- Tabs drag & drop management.
- Advanced scripting capabilities.
- Cross-platform support – runs under Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Website: www.scilab.org
Support: Documentation, Tutorials, Wiki
Developer: Institut national de recherche en informatique et en automatique (INRIA)
License: CeCILL license

Scilab is written in C++, C, and Java. Learn C++ with our recommended free books and free tutorials. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials. Learn Java with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
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|---|---|
| Scilab | Numerical computational package |
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| wxMaxima | GUI for the sublime Maxima CAS |
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| Axiom | General purpose Computer Algebra system |
| Symja | Computer algebra system and symbolic mathematics library |
| CGSuite | For research in combinatorial game theory |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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