Most students are unaware of the differences between Matlab vs. R. The primary reason is that both are programming languages and are used primarily in statistical analysis. However, if a student needs to learn at least any one of these two languages, then, which programming language should a student choose? If you are going through the same dilemma, then this blog is for you. Here we have conducted an exhaustive study to find the differences between R vs. Matlab. Read along to get the details.
What is R?
To draw a comparison of Matlab vs. R it is essential to clarify the concept of R and Matlab. R is one of the most admired open-source programming languages. It is broadly used in statistical computing and graphics. R programming help have multiple libraries to execute a wide range of statistical and graphical techniques like earning algorithms, clustering, time-series analysis, etc.
The best part of R programming is that you can use it to perform a variety of functions that you may not find in other programming languages. Similarly, you can embed and create other software packages in R. The other benefit of using R is that you can collaborate R with other programming languages like C, C++, and Java to develop a programming package.
Besides you can integrate R with other programming languages and perform various functions. For example, you can utilize R command line tools, and R graphical IDE, or access the programming through various scripting languages like Perl, PHP, Ruby, Python, etc.
What is Matlab?
Matlab is the short form of the matrix laboratory. Moreover, it also performs various mathematical and technical computing, like linear algebra, data analytics, image processing, matrix manipulation, plotting the function and data, etc. Additionally, you can also apply algorithms to develop the user interface in Matlab and work together with other programming languages such as Java, C++, Python, etc. Besides that, you can use the Matrix toolbox to perform various functions and offer application-specific solutions.
Both Matlab and R are widely used programming languages and have unique features. Let’s discuss the prominent differences between R vs. Matlab.
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Matlab vs. R: A Comparative Study
Here are the differences between Matlab vs. Mathematica : Know the Major Differences
Classes and Objects
Both R and Matlab are object-oriented programming languages. However, there is a difference in the class of R vs. Matlab.
- R: R offers programming packages for describing the class.
- Matlab: Directory functions are called R functions. It is used to work with class objects.
Installation
Here are the distinctions between R and Matlab considering the installation process.
- R: It is an open-source programming language. Hence, you don’t need any license to use R programming. All you need is to perform the CRAN tests to ensure that R packages run on your computer’s operating system.
- Matlab: Matlab restricts the installation of software to one PC. Moreover, you can only use a licensed version for one type of operating system because the programming language identifies the internet protocol address of the machine to identify its installation. However, if required, you can install different versions of Matlab on the same PC.
Usage
As far as the uses of R and Matlab are concerned, R offers more potent solutions. The differences in uses of Matlab vs. R discussed below offer the precise details:
- R: R solves all statistical problems. Therefore, it offers various programming packages. It is also used to resolve several analytical issues.
- Matlab: Matlab is employed for various mathematics features like calculus, plotting graphs, etc.
Learning Curve
Here are the differences between learning R vs. Matlab programming language:
- R: Learning R is quite complicated, especially for those who are new to programming languages. It is because R uses programming syntax to function. However, since R is an open-source programming language, various codes are available online for performing repetitive functions.
- Matlab: Matlab is a very easy-to-learn programming language. It is because of its toolboxes that allow users to perform various functions in Matlab.
Preferred Language
Here are the differences between Matlab vs. R as far as preferring one language over all the other languages is concerned.
- R: Engineers, scientists, and most industry experts prefer R over other languages because it offers the best data analysis.
- Matlab: Matlab has features like matrix math and array orientation. It makes engineering problems and scientific solving quite easy. Therefore, it is preferred over other programming languages.
Add-on Products
There is a stark difference in Matlab vs. R regarding add-on products.
- R: It does not offer many packages. Plus, it does not offer many add-on facilities to perform any function.
- Matlab: Licensed products like Matlab offer many add-on products. You can perform a variety of functions with it on Matlab.
Cost
When you draw a comparison between R and Matlab by considering its price, R leads the list. Here is the reason behind it:
- R: It is an open-source program. Therefore, you can use the programming language for free.
- MatLab: Matlab is a licensed product. Hence, it comes at a price. Moreover, Mathworks, the distributor of Matlab products charges different prices for different types of Matlab software.
Performance
When you compare R vs. Matlab based on their performance, it can be quite difficult to say which programming is the best. Both programs give excellent performance. However, when a programmer with equal proficiency in both languages performs the task, here is the difference that they observe.
- R: R offers the same result as Matlab. But it has a slower speed than that of Matlab.
- Matlab: It can perform all tasks related to technological computing, statistics, and machine learning very quickly. It runs at a higher speed than that of R.
Support and Documentation
Here are the differences between R and Matlab based on support groups and documentation.
- R: It is an open-source language. Therefore, it is hard to acquire official support and documentation of the R language. However, R has multiple communities that are supported by the developers.
- Matlab: Mathworks offers proper documentation of Matlab. You can use the documents anytime and anywhere. Moreover, the examples described in its documents can be instrumental in learning the programming language in detail. As far as the documentation is concerned, Matlab has 200 devoted technical support specialists across the globe. They are available round the clock to solve technical troubleshooting issues. Additionally, there are a variety of communities of Matlab that offer comprehensive assistance.
Machine Learning
Both Matlab and R are excellent in Machine learning. However, each of them has the features that make them better than the others. The result of the comparison of Matlab vs. R on this ground varies with your learning objectives.
- R: It has broad library sets that ease the implication of the statistical methods for performing complex algorithms.
- Matlab: A statistics and machine learning toolbox is embedded inside Matlab. Hence, you can investigate data, choose specific features, and validate schemes through this programming language.
Visualization
Just like machine learning, in visualization, it is difficult to compare R and Matlab. This is because both of them have equal power in data visualization and display productivity.
- R: For data visualization, R provides 4 distinct graphics implementations. These implementations are the Base graphics, Grid graphics, Lattice graphics, and Ggplot2. When you perform data visualization in R, then the Base graphics are set as the default graphics system. Besides, the Basic graphics is the easiest among the 4 systems for studying and implementation.
- Matlab: Matlab presents the 2D and 3D plotting operation to offer the graphical user interface. You can also use the personalized plot in Matlab using some programming. Apart from that, Matlab provides the Simulink package for the graphical programming environment which is employed for modeling, replicating, and examining multiple domains.
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Matlab vs. R: Comparison in Tabular Form
Find here, the major differences between Matlab vs. R in tabular form.
| Consideration | R | Matlab |
| Usages | R solves all statistical problems. Therefore, it offers various programming packages. It is also used to resolve several analytical issues. | Matlab is employed for various mathematics features like calculus, plotting graphs, etc. |
| Language Type | Learning R is quite complicated, especially for those who are new to programming languages. It is because R uses programming syntax to function. However, since R is an open-source programming language, various codes are available online for performing repetitive functions. | Matlab is a very easy-to-learn programming language. It is because of its toolboxes that allow users to perform various functions in Matlab. |
| Cost | It is an open-source program. Therefore, you can use the programming language for free. | Matlab is a licensed product. Hence, it comes at a price. Moreover, Mathworks, the distributor of Matlab products charges different prices for different types of Matlab software. |
| Performance | R offers the same result as Matlab. But it has a slower speed than that of Matlab. | Matlab has features like matrix math and array orientation. It makes engineering problems and scientific solving quite easy. Therefore, it is preferred over other programming languages. |
| Availability Of Libraries | R has several packages with multiple functionalities. | Several functions can be performed in the toolbox form that gives different functions. |
| Community Support | Being open-source, it has much community support. | Matlab is authorized. So it has a closed community. |
R vs. Matlab: A Few More Differences
| Class | R offers programming packages for describing the class. | Directory functions are called R functions. It is used to work with class objects. |
| Visualization | For data visualization, R provides 4 distinct graphics implementations. These implementations are the Base graphics, Grid graphics, Lattice graphics, and Ggplot2. When you perform data visualization in R, then the Base graphics are set as the default graphics system. Besides, the Basic graphics are the easiest among the 4 systems for studying and implementation. | Matlab presents the 2D and 3D plotting operations to offer a graphical user interface. You can also use the personalized plot in Matlab using some programming. Apart from that, Matlab provides the Simulink package for the graphical programming environment which is employed for modeling, replicating, and examining multiple domains. |
| Functionalities | R is utilized for data processing and statistical analysis. | Matlab is used in several engineering applications like machine learning, matrix manipulation, image processing, signal processing, etc. |
| Companies using the programming language | Facebook, Google, Twitter, Uber, and Airbnb run on R programming languages. | Companies that use Matlab for their programming operation include Butterfly Network, QuantiModo, and SlimRoms. |
Bottom Line
Now that you have read the entire blog, you can draw a comprehensive comparison between R vs. Matlab. For education, Matlab has a higher advantage over R. But, if you put them side by side based on employment analysis, then R has a slight upper hand over Matlab. R is an open-source programming language. Therefore, you can display your proficiency by offering the code to assist other R developers. R is also very helpful for those who are searching for ways to engage themselves in the world of data science.
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