R or Matlab 技术研究

R or Matlab 十月 21st, 2009
Matlab很好很强大，可是跟学校没得比，资源不丰富，还是尽量少用盗版，最近开始转学R，可有时候总觉得好不容易熟悉了Matlab，
再学别的有些浪费时间。不过总的找点支持R的理由吧，下面随便列出一些对比：
（1）matlab是matrix based，R更像是vector based. 两种语言都尽量少去用循环，效率极低。
（2）R对于大数值的循环效率的确不高，R的说明文档解释的很清楚。R最大的优势是极强的统计分析功能及绘图功能，
使用的时间时间长了会有深切体会的，基本上是需要什么领域的分析方法，去找相应的包，会获得很多非常有用的帮助的。
顺便给出其他相关软件的一点对比 R, Matlab, SciPy, Excel，SAS，SPSS的对比，如下表：
Name Advantages Disadvantages Open source? Typical users
R Library support; visualization Steep learning curve Yes Finance; Statistics
Matlab Elegant matrix support; visualization Expensive; incomplete statistics support No Engineering
SciPy/NumPy/Matplotlib Python (general-purpose programming language) Immature Yes Engineering
Excel Easy; visual; flexible Large datasets No Business
SAS Large datasets Expensive; outdated programming language No Business; Government
SPSS, Stata Easy statistical analysis Weak programming language No Science

Name	Advantages	Disadvantages	Open source?	Typical users
R	Library support; visualization	Steep learning curve	Yes	Finance; Statistics
Matlab	Elegant matrix support; visualization	Expensive; incomplete statistics support	No	Engineering
SciPy/NumPy/Matplotlib	Python (general-purpose programming language)	Immature	Yes	Engineering
Excel	Easy; visual; flexible	Large datasets	No	Business
SAS	Large datasets	Expensive; outdated programming language	No	Business; Government
SPSS, Stata	Easy statistical analysis	Weak programming language	No	Science