Re: Mathematica Vs. Matlab

From: Richard Fateman (rfateman_at_sbcglobal.net)
Date: 08/16/04 

Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 04:13:07 GMT

Let me try to clarify:

You can compare programs that are comparable. Like
  Mathematica, Maple, Macsyma, Maxima, Mupad, Reduce, Jacal, Pari,
... these are
computer algebra systems.

You can also compare numerical/statistical packages, like
Matlab, Gauss, S+, MathCad ....

What you are asking for are comparisons of programs that are,
in critical areas, not comparable. Just because they are both
interactive command-driven programs doesn't mean that they
are computing the same things.

E.g. Could you answer this question:

Could you please compare

Toyota Corolla
   and
MacDonald's "Big Mac"

please give pro and con...

Now you might say that's silly, they can't be compared.
Well they can. You can compare their weight. Their cost,
their temperature... But what is the point?

RJF

AZ wrote:

> Thanks for all your comments, but I still have not seen any tangible pros
> and cons list for Mathematica Vs. Matlab, anyone care to comment on
> Strengths, weaknesses, etc.. of these tools?
> thanks for your help!
>
> "Richard Fateman" <rfateman@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
> news:P2QTc.3848$QJ3.1301@newssvr21.news.prodigy.com...
>
>>Frankly, you don't give enough information. But that may be
>>irrelevant.
>>
>>1. If you are a student, ask your teachers to recommend what would be
>>best for you to learn in your various courses. You might even get a free
>>copy of the software.
>>
>>2. If you are a professional of some sort, ask colleagues what
>>they use.
>>
>>3. If you are just curious, try a search engine for comments.
>>
>>The fact that you are asking a question about a computer algebra system
>>and a (primarily) numerical computation system (although Mathlab has
>>some symbolic capabilities via its Maple toolbox), suggests you have
>>no need for any of the symbolic capabilities of Mathematica. This could
>>however, be incorrect.
>>
>>There are some pretty scathing criticisms of Mathematica around. Matlab
>>is less ambitious (but perhaps capable enough for you), and so does
>>not expose itself to such a range of criticisms.
>>
>>AZ wrote:
>>
>>
>>><snip>
>>
>>>Q) Between Mathematica and Matlab, which is more suitable for this
>
> purpose?
>
>
>

Relevant Pages

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