Python vs. Matlab

[Travis Oliphant]

> 
> I have become almost addicted to Matlab after using it extensively for
> some years, however, the licencing feels very strict after getting
> used to free and very good quality software like Emacs, Linux, etc.

I was in this same position a couple of years ago.

> 
> My main use of Matlab is reading in large binary files into
> arrays(output from simulations), do some processing with various
> matrix routines, then extract sections of the 3D arrays for plotting.
> 
> Spotted Python some months ago, and liked it!  Can Python, Numpy and
> the many plotting extensions be used as a replacement for Matlab, is
> Python slower/faster etc.?  
> 


Python can be used for all the things you describe.  I have been using
Python exclusively for about two years and my only wish is that there were
more toolboxes available.  For the operations you describe, there is
already more than enough capability.

It is easy to add your own C or Fortran extensions as well so you can fill
in the holes in the toolbox.

It can be tough to get started with NumPy since the commands and ideas are
a little different than Matlab.  But, once you are over the small learning
hump, you can never go back to Matlab's restrictive environment.

Incidentally, I've found that Python is faster than Matlab.  Matlab has
wonderful speed for raw matrix operations, but if you have any program
flow, Python seems faster.

Good luck,

-Travis