Linux · Science & Education
Scilab
Scilab is a free, open-source numerical computation platform for engineering and scientific applications, similar to MATLAB.
- Lizenz
- CECILL-2.1 or GPL-2.0+
- Aktuelle Version
- 2026.0.1 (5. Februar 2026)
- Entwickler
- Scilab developers
- Installationen
- 795 (Flathub, 30 Tage)
Was ist Scilab?
Scilab has been actively developed since 1994 by researchers at INRIA and ENPC in France. It was released as open source in 2002 and has since evolved into a mature environment for numerical analysis, simulation, and algorithm development. The project remains actively maintained, with regular updates and a stable release cycle.
It's ideal for engineers, scientists, and educators who rely on numerical computing but want to avoid proprietary software. Users working in control systems, signal processing, or data modeling will find built-in tools that match common workflows. The environment supports both interactive exploration and scripted batch processing.
Compared to MATLAB, Scilab feels familiar but less polished. The interface is functional, not flashy, and some toolboxes are less refined. However, it supports many of the same core operations, and migrating scripts is often straightforward—especially if you avoid Simulink-like features and stick to basic matrix operations and plotting.
Ideal für: Engineers, researchers, and educators needing a free alternative to MATLAB for numerical computation and modeling.
Wichtige Funktionen von Scilab
- Hundreds of built-in mathematical functions
- 2-D and 3-D data visualization tools
- Optimization and statistics toolboxes
- Control system design and analysis
- Signal processing for time and frequency domains
- Xcos for modeling dynamic systems
- High-level programming language with data structures
- Interoperability with other languages and tools
Vorteile
- Free and open source with no licensing restrictions
- Actively maintained with regular updates
- Comprehensive for numerical and engineering tasks
- Supports scripting and automation well
- Xcos provides a Simulink-like modeling environment
Nachteile
- Smaller community and fewer third-party resources than MATLAB
- Some functions are less accurate or less optimized
- Documentation can be sparse or outdated
Windows-Programme, die Scilab ersetzt
Mathworks MatlabScilab unter Linux installieren
flatpak install flathub org.scilab.Scilabsudo apt install scilabsudo apt install scilabTipps für Windows-Umsteiger
Scilab uses .sce and .sci files for scripts; you can import basic MATLAB .m files, but compatibility isn't guaranteed. Avoid Simulink—use Xcos instead, though the workflow differs. Keyboard shortcuts are similar but not identical; retrain muscle memory gradually. Export plots as PNG or PDF directly from the figure window.
Neueste Versionen
- 2026.0.1 —
- 2026.0.0 —
- 2025.1.0 —
- 2024.1.0 —
Scilab: häufige Fragen
Is Scilab compatible with MATLAB?
Scilab is broadly similar but not fully compatible. Many .m files run with minor edits, but advanced syntax or toolbox functions may fail. Use the conversion tools included, but expect some manual rewriting.
Can I use Scilab for control systems design?
Yes. Scilab includes standard algorithms for control system analysis and design. Xcos supports modeling and simulation of dynamic and embedded systems, similar to Simulink.
How do I install Scilab on Linux?
It's available in Debian and Ubuntu repositories via apt. You can also use the official binaries or Flathub for sandboxed deployment. Prefer the packaged version for easier updates.
Does Scilab support plotting and data visualization?
Yes, it has strong 2-D and 3-D plotting capabilities. You can annotate, rotate 3D views, and export figures in common formats like SVG, PDF, and PNG.
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