Getting Started with Scilab

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Session 0: Scilab - History, Features and Applications

Objectives

  • Understand the history of Scilab
  • Learn about key features of Scilab
  • List the fields where Scilab can be applied

History of Scilab

  • Scilab was created in 1990 by researchers from INRIA and ENPC.
  • Scilab Consortium was formed in 2003, to broaden contributions and promote its use in academia and industry worldwide.
  • Scilab adopted the CeCILL license in July 2004, which is compatible with the GNU GPL.
  • In July 2008, Scilab Consortium joined Digiteo, a research cluster in Information Science & Technology.
  • In June 2010, Scilab Consortium announced the formation of Scilab Enterprises to broaden contributions to Scilab and promote its use in academis and industry worldwide.
  • The lastes version of Scilab is 5.3.2 released on May 12, 2011

Key Features of Scilab

  • Maths and Simulation: Elementary mathematics, Liner Algebra, Sparse matrices, Polynomials, Ordinary differential equation solvers
  • 2D and 3D visualization: Graphs of 2D and 3D functions and data, Contour plots, LaTeX and MathML annotations, export to various graphic formats
  • Built-in interpreted programming language with access to all Scilab functions
  • Optimization: Nonlinear optimization, Quadratic optimization, Semi-definite programming, Genetic algorithms, Simulated annealing
  • Control Systems Analysis and Design: Transfer function, Classic and robust control, State-space control system design
  • Signal processing
  • Application design: Advanced data structures, User defined GUI, Interface with Fortran, C/C++, Java, Embedding Scilab in C/C++, Java, .NET, Dynamic build, link and testing framework
  • Export and Import: Matlab to Scilab code translator, Read and write MS Excel files

Applications of Scilab

This list would have to be based on my limited experience and knowledge and hence would necessarily be incomplete. In fact, it is is a futile exercise attempting to prepare such a list. Rather, it would be better to say that Scilab can be used wherever one needs a matrix numerical computation tool with an ability to visuaize data. So I will not attempt to prepare such a list.

Useful Links

Task Discussion


  • Satish Annigeri   May 24, 2011, 10:50 p.m.

    Comments on Session 0: Scilab History, Features and Applications are welcome. You are encouraged to comment, add, delete and improve the content. Participants are allowed to not only comment on the content, they are also allowed to edit the content.

  • Anonym   May 23, 2011, 4:01 a.m.

    Do any major companies use this software?

  • Satish Annigeri   May 23, 2011, 8:18 a.m.
    In Reply To:   Anonym   May 23, 2011, 4:01 a.m.

    The following link will give you the list of members of Scilab Consortium http://www.scilab.org/aboutus/consortium/members. To be members, they must have an interest in the software and will have paid some fees. So I assume they are using it. I believe it is being used in European industries and Scilab Consortium has made concerted efforts, since 2005 I think, to see that it is adopted by industries.

    Matlab is the de-facto industry standard, but I think Scilab is a viable alternative at least for some applications. Where it beats Matlab is in the fact that you have access to its source code. So either you, or someone you employ, can modify Scilab to add features to your exact requirements. And other users get the benefit of your contributions.

    See NI LabView to Scilab gateway project (http://www.scilab.org/projects/collaborations/ni) and ProActive parallel suite (http://www.scilab.org/projects/collaborations/proactive) collaboration for some examples of the advantages of FOSS. Also see Google Summer of Code (http://www.scilab.org/projects/development/google) for some student projects.