Can you use python like matlab?
What Is Python?Python is a general-purpose programming language with an extensive collection of libraries that are used for a wide range of applications, including web development, enterprise application development, and data science. Show What Is MATLAB?MATLAB is a computing platform that is used for engineering and scientific applications like data analysis, signal and image processing, control systems, wireless communications, and robotics. MATLAB includes a programming language, interactive apps, highly specialized libraries for engineering applications, and tools for automatically generating embedded code. MATLAB is also the foundation for Simulink, a block diagram environment for simulating complex multi-domain systems. Language ComparisonThe language of Python and MATLAB can be used interactively (a single command at a time) or to develop large-scale applications. Both languages support scripting, procedural and object-oriented programming. Python has largely replaced Java as the first language for people who want to learn how to program because it is easy to learn and can be used for various programming tasks. MATLAB language is the first (and often only) programming language for many engineers and scientists because the matrix math and array orientation of the language makes it easy to learn and apply to engineering and scientific problem-solving. Apps and other interactive tools automatically generate MATLAB code, further reducing the barrier to entry. User BaseBoth Python and MATLAB have large user bases, though the user base for MATLAB is primarily comprised of engineers and scientists. As of May 2022, LinkedIn searches return about 7.6 million Python users and 4.1 million MATLAB users. People who do not work in engineering or science are often surprised to learn how widespread MATLAB is adopted, including:
Support and DocumentationStack Overflow and similar sites are the primary support mechanism for most Python users. With so many users worldwide, it is easy to find or start a discussion online that can help answer just about any question. Documentation is available via docstrings and individual websites for Python and most libraries. MATLAB licenses include free live support, so users can pick up the phone or send an email to get help from a MATLAB expert on their specific project. Additional free support from MathWorks worldwide engineers can help users figure out the best way to assemble available technology for their application, research, or teaching. MATLAB Answers provides an online question and answer forum specific to MATLAB, similar to Stack Overflow. MATLAB includes an integrated documentation system that combines professionally authored documentation for all MATLAB and Simulink products, help for user-authored packages, and additional online resources such as MATLAB Answers and videos. CostPython and most Python libraries are free to download or use, though many users use Python through a paid service. Paid services help IT organizations manage the risks associated with the use of open-source software, such as security, licensing, and access control. Paid services also provide access to packaged or hosted distributions that eliminate much of the pain of configuring a Python installation with compatible versions of libraries. MATLAB is not free, though it is more accessible and costs less than people assume. Approximately 8 million people have unlimited access to MATLAB through their school, research institution, or employer, including at most universities worldwide that grant engineering and science degrees. Institutions choose to invest in MATLAB because they recognize the value of the increased productivity from providing their engineers and scientists with purpose-built tools. MATLAB and PythonWhile most people start by asking whether they should choose MATLAB or Python, the right answer is often to use MATLAB and Python together. With MATLAB and Python, you can take advantage of the best capabilities of each environment. For instance, you can: Maybe you’re an engineer like me who’s been using Matlab for quite some time and have grown super attached to it. You
are probably fluent in the Matlab language, and whenever you face a problem you immediately start thinking in matrices and indexing notation. You know that Python is 0-index’ed and already now you start questioning if such a language is really the way to go But you can’t avoid listening when you hear engineers and data scientists talk about Python. How it’s one of the fastest, easiest languages to learn,
and how it can do what Matlab can do — and much more. You then look at your most recent invoice from Mathworks and start questioning if a free-to-use programming language might actually be the way to go. But at the same time, you know that Python is 0-index’ed and already now you start questioning if such a language is really the way to go. Then you hear weird terms such as list comprehensions and you start to get slightly scared. You do a bit of searching around the internet and stumble over ugly, scary-looking code snippets such as the following: X = dict(zip(VarNames, [(np.array(data[name],dtype=float).flatten()) for name in VarNames] ) ) And now you start to wonder why anyone would use such a language. But you are stubborn. Just like me. And you know that just because you don’t quite understand what all the fuzz is about, you also know that so many people can’t be wrong. So you Google “Python for Matlab users” and now you’re here. So what is this? Well let me tell you:
A word of caution though:
What this means for you is that I am writing this as I go, but after clearing up all the mistakes and dead ends I’ve taken, so you don’t have to repeat them. This writeup is therefore based on a lot of Googling around and plain and simple trial and error. But enough chatting — let’s start digging a bit deeper. Why Python?The first step in using Python, is to actually decide to use it. There are many reasons why one might consider using Python, and I’ve listed the main ones for me in the following. Similarly, there are also good reasons why Matlab is superior to Python. These are also listed below. An advantage of Python is the support for multiple IDEs meaning you can pick you own syntax highlighting. Photo by Chris Ried on Unsplash10 Reasons Python is better than Matlab
10 Reasons Matlab is better than Python
I can’t tell you which of the advantages outweigh the others — that depends entirely on the context and the situation of each individual Matlab user. To me, many of the reasons to stick with Matlab are related to the momentum gained by having used Matlab for years and feeling “at home” with the software. And being afraid of taking the leap and putting in the work. But, if this read hasn’t entirely thrown you off and you are motivated to give Python a try, let’s continue to the next part where we actually install Python! |