Python-Matlab extensions: Comparisons?

[Robert Kern]

Johannes Eble wrote:
> Hello Python community,
> 
> I have looked for a Python extension to bring Python nearer to Matlab.
> I am interested to do as much as possible in Python and to replace
> Matlab as much as possible. Now I have found several extensions, i.e.
> 
> Matplotlib, SciPy, PyMatrix, and MatPy.
> 
> How do they compare to each other?
> 
> 
> PyMatrix
> (http://www3.sympatico.ca/cjw/PyMatrix/Doc/PyMatrixPackage.html)
>  seems to obsolete MatPy (http://matpy.sourceforge.net/), but both
> seem to concentrate on Matrix features only.
> 
> Matplotlib specialises in 2d plotting capabilities, I am not sure if
> it builds upon Gnuplot.py.

It does not.

> SciPy seems to be the most general Matlab-like solution so it's
> probably the way to go for me.
 >
 > Any advice?

I'm not terribly familiar with PyMatrix or MatPy, but I will 
enthusiastically recommend the use of SciPy and Matplotlib together. 
SciPy provides a wide range of  computational capabilities, and 
Matplotlib provides a good interface for interactive plotting.

Be sure to look at IPython, an excellent interactive shell for Python. 
It has special support for Matplotlib.

http://ipython.scipy.org

-- 
Robert Kern
rkern at ucsd.edu

"In the fields of hell where the grass grows high
  Are the graves of dreams allowed to die."
   -- Richard Harter