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Difference Between MATLAB and Mathematica

Last Updated : 04 Nov, 2022
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Performing computation with the support of programming languages was always been a focus for all mathematicians and statisticians, whereas to perform it efficiently it heavily depends on the scope of the problem. We have a large variety of tools and languages to analyze and compute data. So let us discuss the most widely used languages. 

MATLAB: It is a language that is globally used for performing high-level technical computations. The term MATLAB is used for Matrix Laboratory, which facilitates us with an interactive environment to perform reports and data analysis. It also allows us to implement computing algorithms, plotting graphs, and other matrix functions. 

Some features of MATLAB: 

  • It manages array and matrix problems.
  • It helps to solve complex algebraic equations.
  • MATLAB is used to analyze data and plot graphs.
  • It can also process and communicate with equations of signals.

Mathematica: It is a universal natural language that can be used for any programming structure. The term Mathematica means subject of instructions’ which helps you solve a particular problem. Here the program is written in basic mathematics and is used to perform complex queries. This is not an open-source model that can be used for everyone. 

Some features of Mathematica: 

  • It is cost-effective.
  • Mathematica is heavily used in academics.
  • Helps you to solve complex problems in seconds.
  • There is no alternative for Mathematica but it is universal for every language.

Difference between MATLAB and Mathematica:
 

MATLAB Mathematica
It is a high-level programming language that is used for performing mathematical computing. It is a universal language that helps you to model any computational language.
Development in MATLAB is slow. Development in Mathematica is fast compared to MATLAB.
Syntax is initially required to learn to perform calculations in MATLAB. Calculations are done by using simple mathematics.
MATLAB documentation is very understandable. Mathematica documentations features extensive examples for each function, and a wide variety of guides and examples.
User experience in MATLAB is bad because of the heavy and unorganized UI. User experience is very clean and is improved by features such as AI natural language query understanding and next command prediction.
MATLAB is capable of performing complex queries. Mathematica is capable of performing complex queries.
It provides feature to analyze the data into charts still, there is a chart variety order of magnitudes smaller than Mathematica’s. Mathematica’s graphing capabilities are currently the SOTA.
It performs functions in two-dimensional array. It performs function on arrays of every dimension.
The code can be easily debugged in MATLAB. Old but especially newly added features makes code debugging in Mathematica easy.
It is used in Bigdata applications, simulation and modeling. Mathematica has got unmatched data analysis capabilities fully integrated with the Wolfram Knowledgebase.

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