Octave is a high-level programming language designed for numerical computation, scientific analysis and mathematical modelling. It provides an environment for solving mathematical problems, processing data and developing computational algorithms.
Its matrix-oriented language is largely compatible with MATLAB, allowing many existing scripts and functions to run with little or no modification. Octave is widely applicable to engineering, mathematics, physics and other scientific disciplines.
The application provides both a graphical development environment and a command-line interface, making it suitable for interactive experimentation and automated calculations.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Perform matrix and vector operations, including matrix decompositions, eigenvalue calculations and sparse matrix computations.
- Solve systems of linear and nonlinear equations using built-in numerical algorithms.
- Numerically integrate functions and solve ordinary and differential-algebraic equations.
- Find minima and maxima of mathematical functions using optimisation algorithms.
- Create 2D and 3D plots, contour maps, surface visualisations and other graphical representations of data.
- Customise plots with labels, legends, colours, axes and annotations.
- Perform statistical analysis, including descriptive statistics, correlation, regression and probability calculations.
- Process signals using Fourier transforms, convolution, filtering and related numerical operations.
- Integrated Qt-based development environment with a source editor, workspace browser, variable editor and documentation viewer.
- Debug scripts using breakpoints, execution stepping and variable inspection.
- Analyse code performance using the built-in profiler.
- Command history, automatic completion and contextual help for interactive programming.
- Import and export numerical data using text files, CSV, MATLAB-compatible files and other supported formats.
- Create custom functions and extend functionality through modules written in C, C++ and Fortran.
- Additional scientific capabilities through extensions for symbolic mathematics, signal processing and control systems.
- Cross-platform support – runs on Linux, BSD, macOS, and Windows.
Website: octave.org
Support:
Developer: John W. Eaton and many contributors
License: GNU General Public License v3.0
Octave is written in C, C++ and Fortran. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials. Learn C++ with our recommended free books and free tutorials. Learn Fortran with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
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