Nelson is a powerful numerical computational language, developed to provide a comprehensive and intuitive environment for engineers, scientists, and students. With over 1,200 built-in functions, Nelson supports a wide range of tasks, from basic algebra to advanced numerical simulations.
Originally inspired by languages like MATLAB© and Octave, Nelson offers users a lightweight yet feature-rich experience. It is designed to be easy to learn and use, with an emphasis on performance and flexibility.
It has sophisticated data structures (including cell, struct, linear systems, …), an interpreter and a high level programming language. Nelson has been developed to be an open/modular system where an user can define these own data types and operations on these data types by using overload.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Flexible and modular system for custom data types.
- Supports data type overloading.
- Extensive support for scientific computations.
- Core:
- Advanced Data Structures: Cell arrays, structs, dictionaries, tables, and linear systems
- Internal Data Types: Flexible and extensible type system
- Overloading: Customizable operator and function behavior
- Modularity: Organize and extend functionality
- External Modules: Integrate third-party libraries
- Scientific:
- 2D and 3D Plotting: High-level plot commands for data visualization
- Fast Fourier Transformation: Efficient frequency domain analysis
- Control Systems: Tools for system modeling and analysis
- SLICOT Integration: Advanced control theory algorithms
- Development:
- Interactive Code Editor: User-friendly development environment
- Build C/C++ On-the-Fly: Seamless integration with compiled languages
- C MEX API Support: Compatibility with existing MEX files
- Nelson Engine API: C API compatible with MEX Engine
- Foreign Function Interface (FFI): Call functions from shared libraries
- Cross-platform support – runs under Linux, macOS and Windows.
Website: nelson-lang.github.io/nelson-website
Support: GitHub Code Repository
Developer: Allan Cornet
License: GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0

Nelson is written in C++. Learn C++ with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Computer Algebra Systems | |
|---|---|
| Scilab | Numerical computational package |
| Maxima | System for the manipulation of symbolic and numerical expressions |
| Octave | Powerful programming language with built-in plotting and visualization tools |
| SageMath | Open source alternative to Magma, Maple, Mathematica and Matlab |
| SymPy | Python library for symbolic mathematics |
| SINGULAR | Computer Algebra System for polynomial computations |
| Macaulay2 | Software system for research in algebraic geometry |
| Cadabra | Symbolic computer algebra system for field theory problems |
| PARI/GP | Widely used algebra system designed for fast computations in number theory |
| GAP | System for computational discrete algebra |
| FriCAS | Fork of Axiom |
| CoCoA | System for doing computations in commutative algebra |
| Mathics | General-purpose CAS with Mathematica-compatible syntax and functions |
| FORM | Symbolic Manipulation System |
| Nelson | Numerical computational language |
| wxMaxima | GUI for the sublime Maxima CAS |
| Xcas | Cross-platform mathematical environment |
| REDUCE | General-purpose computer algebra system for symbolic computation |
| 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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