Talk:List of numerical-analysis software

Programs with syntax "similar" to MATLAB
I think the sublist under MATLAB entry should be moved to top level, and at most enumerated (without one-line description) under MATLAB entry. Unlike the sublist of Python which enumerates Python packages, they are completely independent of MATLAB. Engelec 17:50, 10 November 2006 (UTC)
 * Done. Engelec 10:33, 4 January 2007 (UTC)
 * I still think it was a useful point of organization. This list is getting somewhat lengthy & I think that organizing it into sections would help.  What about a section for Matlab-compatible programs? --Karnesky 14:46, 4 January 2007 (UTC)
 * The main problem I saw with the previous version was that while some applications were plain clones (at least that's their explicit aim), such as GNU Octave and FreeMat, there were also applications which were completely different while offering some compatibility (LabVIEW and probably COMSOL), some were in between (Sysquake), and some were "equivalent" (numerical computing, graphics and scripting language) but had reduced (Scilab) or no (Yorick) compatibility. Putting some of them under the MATLAB umbrella hides these differences. What about something like Comparison of numerical analysis software? Some possible criteria: language (MATLAB/S/other), graphics (2D/3D/none), extensible in C/Fortran, main math area (linear algebra/statistics/time series/etc.), can control hardware, OS, etc. Engelec 16:07, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

Python Plotting Packages
Do the python plotting packages belong on this list? If so, then I think that it is ok to add references to plplot, dislin, gnuplot.py, and so to the python sublist. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Elpadre (talk • contribs) 04:07, 10 December 2007 (UTC)
 * I don't think packages that can only plot belong in this list; some of the plotting packages that are able to perform numerical analysis might belong on the list. --Karnesky (talk) 06:13, 10 December 2007 (UTC)

Scientific Python
There is a lot of numerical analysis tools for Python, such as Numpy, Scipy and Matplotlib, which together gives a very nice platform to do numerical analysis. Most of these are included in Sage, but should Python distribution for scientific computing be mentioned, ex. Python(x,y): http://code.google.com/p/pythonxy/, or the Enthought Python Distribution: http://enthought.com/

What is the purpose of this page?
The title of the page is "list numerical analysis software". The first sentence explcitly mentions "programs". The list contains both programs and libraries. I feel that the intent of the page is not to provide a list of numerical libraries such as LAPACK++; rather to provide a list of standalone numerical programs. Otherwise, the list could go on and on because I could easily add a number of other entries similar to LAPACK++. Elpadre 11:58, 20 January 2008 (EST).

--Lobianco (talk) 11:18, 12 July 2020 (UTC) I agree.. rarely I found a Wikipedia page whose purpose is such vague.. the listed software is very eterogeneous, I would vote for closing it down or put a warning...

Languages
Because the software in this category is highly technical, and the users are generally highly skilled, it is common for these programs to include some form of "programming" language. To some degree this crosses a boundary between software for an "end-user" and that for a "developer". I think several languages are appropriate in this list, but only if they are specifically targeted for numerical or data analysis. If it's a general purpose programming language, which happens to have strong "numerical" features, IMO it should not be included.  Jwesley 78 16:00, 25 February 2010 (UTC)

Cleanup
A cleanup is a good idea but I didn't understand what criterion was used by Shulini: Some entries disappeared but many red links were kept. RolfSander (talk) 14:21, 31 December 2010 (UTC)

Defining "Numerical Analysis Software" and Possible Bias in favor of MATLAB
The section heading "MATLAB and its clones" implies that all the software in the list was created to copy MATLAB, provideing a bias in favor of MATLAB.

As Engelec mentioned before, LabVIEW is not similar to MATLAB or designed to be a "clone" of MATLAB. LabVIEW is a programming language focusing on instrument control, whereas MATLAB is designed for numerical computing. Yes, LabVIEW can be used for numerical computing and I believe that MATLAB can be used for instrument control, but those are not their primary functions. If we use that same logic, then most programming languages should be on this list as well, as they can be used for numerical analysis.

To avoid situations like these in the future, it would be beneficial to define what constitutes "Numerical Analysis Software" and what does not. Both JMP and Excel can do various kinds of numerical analysis, so why aren't they on the list? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Dthor42 (talk • contribs) 09:11, 13 August 2011 (UTC)

Additions
I just discovered Mathics.org, an online numerical analysis tool. It would be worthwhile adding it to this page since it is a good free-to-use resource that is available to use online or as a download. I'm not sure which category it would be filed under, maybe someone who knows more about these packages could add it in the relevant place? Mrtimuk (talk) 12:39, 6 June 2012 (UTC) (I have no affiliation with Mathics)

Missing software applications
There are a lot of missing numerical apps from this list. Who ever maintains te page could they update it? Rhodydog (talk) 00:56, 25 July 2012 (UTC)

Concerning Clarity
This article would be more clearly written with tables and columns. Wikipedia has communities that help in article assistance, editing or information on selecting volunteers to help. Habatchii (talk) 10:34, 16 February 2023 (UTC)