Linux · Science & Education
Scilab
Scilab is a free, open‑source numerical computing environment with MATLAB‑style syntax and a rich set of built‑in functions.
- Licence
- CECILL-2.1 or GPL-2.0+
- Dernière version
- 2027.0.0 (15 octobre 2026)
- Développeur
- Scilab developers
- Installations
- 795 (Flathub, 30 jours)
Qu’est-ce que Scilab ?
Scilab has been under active development since the mid‑1990s, originally created by French research institutes. The first public release appeared in 2002, and the project has kept a regular release cadence, with the latest version 2026.0.1 arriving in February 2026. It has grown from a niche research tool into a stable platform used in engineering schools, research labs, and industry.
The software targets engineers, scientists, and educators who need a cost‑free alternative to MATLAB. It offers a high‑level language, extensive libraries for linear algebra, statistics, control systems, and signal processing, and a graphical interface for plotting and simulation.
Compared to commercial Windows tools, Scilab feels more like a traditional scientific package than a polished IDE. The interface is functional but not as polished; command history and debugging are basic. However, the breadth of built‑in functions and the ability to embed external code give it a practical edge for many users.
Idéal pour : Students and professionals needing a free MATLAB‑like environment for engineering and scientific computation.
Fonctionnalités clés de Scilab
- MATLAB‑compatible syntax and functions
- Integrated 2‑D and 3‑D plotting
- Xcos for hybrid dynamic system modelling
- Optimization and statistics toolboxes
- Signal processing and control system design modules
- Support for external languages (C, Fortran, Python) via extensions
Points forts
- Completely free and open source
- Large library of numerical routines
- Cross‑platform (Linux, Windows, macOS)
- Extensible with user‑written modules
- Active community and documentation
Points faibles
- Interface less polished than commercial counterparts
- Learning curve for MATLAB users due to subtle syntax differences
- Limited commercial support
- Performance can lag for very large data sets
Logiciels Windows remplacés par Scilab
Mathworks MatlabInstaller Scilab sous Linux
flatpak install flathub org.scilab.Scilabsudo apt install scilabsudo apt install scilabConseils pour les utilisateurs de Windows
Scilab reads and writes MATLAB .m files, but syntax differences (e.g., matrix indexing starts at 1, use of ; for line breaks) can trip up users. Shortcuts differ: Ctrl+R runs a script, Ctrl+Shift+R runs the current function. Workflow shifts from MATLAB’s GUIDE to Scilab’s Xcos for model building. Exporting figures to PDF or PNG works via the export dialog, but some advanced MATLAB export options are missing.
Versions récentes
- 2027.0.0 —
- 2026.0.1 —
- 2026.0.0 —
- 2025.1.0 —
Scilab : questions fréquentes
Does Scilab support MATLAB .m files?
Scilab can read many .m files, but not all due to syntax differences. It is best to test scripts individually and adjust functions that use advanced MATLAB features.
Can I use Scilab for control system design?
Yes, Scilab includes a dedicated control system toolbox with Bode plots, step responses, and pole‑zero analysis.
Is there a GUI for building models?
Xcos is Scilab’s graphical model builder, similar to Simulink, and can be used for hybrid dynamic systems.
How often is Scilab updated?
The project follows a semi‑annual release cycle; the latest stable version is 2026.0.1, released in February 2026.
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