Tool choice for math number and symbol manipulation

Of course while learning math I have to do a lot of exercises using brain, pen and paper. When doodling and maybe also sometimes while learning 😉 I want some of the work done by a computer, therefore I tried several programs.

Some of the programs I tried before I decided:

  • Python libraries: Matplotlib, NumPy, SciPy, SymPy
  • Octave
  • WolframAlpha Pro, already for a couple of years I had an account, just to doodle, check homework for some online MIT courses I did, or help me get ahead when I got stuck

See Wikipedia for a list of more open-source software for mathematics.

I’m quite a fan of open source, but the above tried options could not live up the experience I had with WolframAlpha Pro. From there I had look at Matlab and Mathematica, Wolfram|One. What I read is that the focus of Matlab is more on the numeric aspect and that of Mathematica more on the symbol side. That and because I already had some experience with WolframAlpha Pro I have chosen for Wolfram|One, pricey but very powerful and intuitive, at least for the simple things I have done up until now. What I read is that Wolfram has an enormous amount of possibilities and therefore a steep learning curve … If you want to know more about Wolfram One you can read it here.

Funny detail is that Mathematica is a program initially written by Stephen Wolfram based on a program called Schoonschip (Dutch for clean sweep) by Martinus Veltman, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics, both had an itch that computer support needed a step ahead.

Also nice is that there is a Wolfram Language plugin for my favourite development IDE from Jetbrains, see here.

Now let’s start the steep learning curve into Wolfram Language.

About olikilo

happy, satisfied, studious, (let) do, reach, tech, different, Dominika, kids, CEO of Sue (infra & open source gurus)
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