What is the Difference Between MATLAB vs Octave?

In this technological era, people have a variety of programming languages in which  they can select any one or more of them and get in-depth knowledge of that particular language. In this article, we are going to discuss two computer programming languages used by engineers as well as by scientists, and the two languages are Matlab and Octave. Along with the details of Matlab vs Octave, we want to mention that our expert’s team provide a Matlab Assignment Help that is assisted by the latest Matlab software such as:

  • MathWorks.
  • Matlab&Simulink.
  • GNU Octave and much more. 

As Octave is an alternative for Matlab, individual get confused with these two languages, and they get stuck in the following questions:

  • What are Matlab and Octave?
  • Where can these be used?
  • What is the purpose of Matlab and Octave?
  • The critical question: What is the difference between Matlab and Octave?

Therefore, to get you out of these kinds of questions, we will discuss all the points that will help you to understand these two languages. We will also give the head to head difference table by which you can easily recognize the dissimilarity of these programming languages.

The basic overview of MATLAB vs Octave

Matlab stands as Matrix Laboratory. This language is a high-level programming language that is used for technical Computations. It was drafted by Cleve Moler and developed by MathWorks. Matlab is a multi-exemplar programming language that supports imperative, functional, and object-oriented language. 

Octave is also called GNU Octave, which is accessible in 19 languages. This programming language is used to solve the numerical problems of linear and nonlinear. This language is one of the most compatible languages with Matlab. Octave also refers to a structural programming language that supports a common library of C standards, Unix system cells, and the functions of C languages. 

The difference table of Matlab vs Octave

ParametersMatlabOctave
Definition:Matlab is the abbreviation of Matrix Laboratory that is used for technical computing.It is a programming language that is used for numerical computing.
Programmed as:It was programmed in C++, C and Java languages.It was programmed in C++, C and Fortran programming languages.
Interfacing:It has better interfacing as compared to the other software.This software interfacing is not as much as good as Matlab software.
Loading empty files:It allows loading any empty file.It does not allow for loading any of the empty files.
RAM requirement:It needs more RAM to process well.It needs less RAM to process as compared to Matlab.
Cost:It is available at a high cost.It is available free of cost in beer and speech.
Syntax format:Example: for exponentiations: ^Example: for exponentiations: ^ or **

Besides this difference table, various other syntax differences are discussed below. If you find any difficulty implementing these syntaxes in your programming, then you can take the help of our experts who are available for any Matlab Assignment Help.

To initiate a comment

Matlab uses ‘%’ sign and Octave use both ‘%’ and ‘#’ sign that is interchangeable too.

To write a string delimiter

Matlab old version uses ‘; but the new version of Matlab uses both ‘ or “ with a slight overlapping functionality difference. Octave use ‘ or “.

To write exponentiations

Matlab needs ^, Octave needs either ^ or ** for exponentiations.

For hexadecimal notation

Matlab needs the hex2dec function as “hex2dec(‘F0’)’), whereas Octave can support the style of C language; therefore, you can write the hexadecimal notation as “0xF0”.

To block the ends

Matlab needs ‘end’ whereas Octave needs ‘end’ or the block specification with ‘endif,’ endfor,…

For searching a file

If a networking distributor like Netlab requires a function name as fcnjdg, then make a file named as fcnjdg.m by using the content that is shown below and place it where Octave can easily find it:

function f = fcnjdg (y, n)

f= y;

End

For bilinear transformation

Discuss an example of a2d with an analog parameter X:

discrete= a2d(X,0.8,’trustin’);              // Matlab

discrete= a2d(X,0.8,’bi’);                    // GNU Octave

For a linear programming function

For more indulgent, Matlab requires “a” and “b” inputs for either column or row vector. Whereas, Octave requires them as a column vector.

For error(meg) function

If a message is empty, then Matlab shows no-op, but Octave will result as an error.

For plot function

Matlab requires only legend function, whereas Octave requires label or legends function for the plot-specific function.

plot(x,y, ‘;label;’)                       //octave

plot(x,y); legend(‘label’)           //Matlab/octave

For logical operator ‘NOT’

Matlab is more similar to C, Java programming, therefore, it uses a syntax ! with the boolean values, whereas Octave users can use both ~ as well as ! with boolean values. For a not equal comparison, Matlab needs ‘~=’ and Octave needs either ‘~=’ or ‘!=’.

For assignment

Matlab supports individual functioning: 

A = B + 1

C = A

Whereas, Octave can define a function in a single row:

C = A = B + 1

For line continuation

In Matlab users need ‘……’ for a continuation of the line whereas Octave does not need this.

Matlab: rand(1, …..

                                2)

            Octave: rand(1,

                               2)

For whitespace

Matlab requires the transpose operator for allowing the whitespace whereas, octave treats it as an operator like C, C++.

[0 1]’               // work for both Matlab and Octave.

[0 1] ‘             // work for Octave.

For print function

Matlab uses the fprintf command for printing, Octave uses both printf and fprintf command for printing the result.

foo= 2;

fprintf(‘My outcome is: %d\n’, foo)       //Matlab and Octave.

foo = 2;

printf (‘My outcome is: %d\n’, foo)       // Octave only

  • For C-Style Assignment operator and Auto increments: Matlab is not allowed any of the C style assignment operators, but Octave allows them such as i + +, i+=2, ++i, etc.
  • For the products of boolean: Matlab responds individually while computing any of the boolean values:

A = ones(3,3) ; prod(size(A)==1)

Result: Matlab: The product is merely backed for floating input value.

             Octave: ans = 0

  • For nargin: Basically, nargin returns the value of the input arguments for a function. Matlab is not supporting this command, but octave returns as:

Function MyLife = myfun ©

if (nargin == 2)

nargin = 3;

Else

nargin = 4

end

For the file startup.m

Matlab can execute the file name ‘startup.m’ from the command line into its directory, but the old version of Octave was not supporting this command. But from the version Octave 4.2.0, it starts working similar to Matlab.

if ( exist (‘startup.m’, ‘file’) )

source (‘startup.m’) // load startup.m

endif

Conclusion

Matlab and Octave programming language is used to a similar purpose; the only difference in both of them is of their syntax and in other features. Matlab has its specialized toolbox that is not present in Octave. Both of the programming languages are not fully compatible, which means in Matlab, you can execute the code of the Octave and vice-versa. 

The main objective of the Octave programming is to offer freedom to the programmer to select the software to execute the algorithms. It has compatibility with Matlab and octave uses the written command within a buffer. By doing this, you can recall or re-edit any of the commands within the buffer. It consists of the limited support for managing the data in a particular structure.

If you want to take the help of our experts who are working for the Matlab Assignment Help, then you can submit your queries on Matlab, and they will provide you the best Solutions. Our customer support executive is available to you 24*7, and they can provide you the data as per the guidelines of your college. So, whenever you find any difficulty with Matlab Assignments, Matlab Assignment Help is ready to help you out.

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