Preface
Scilab is a software for numerical mathematics and scientific visualization. It is capable of
interactive calculations as well as automation of computations through programming. It provides
all basic operations on matrices through built-in functions so that the trouble of developing and
testing code for basic operations are completely avoided. Its ability to plot 2D and 3D graphs
helps in visualizing the data we work with. All these make Scilab an excellent tool for teaching,
especially those subjects that involve matrix operations. Further, the numerous toolboxes that are
available for various specialized applications make it an important tool for research. Being
compatible with Matlab
®
, all available Matlab M-files can be directly used in Scilab. Scicos, a
hybrid dynamic systems modeler and simulator for Scilab, simplifies simulations. The greatest
features of Scilab are that it is multi-platform and is free. It is available for many operating
systems including Windows, Linux and MacOS X. More information about the features of
Scilab are given in the Introduction.
Scilab can help a student understand all intermediate steps in solving even complicated
problems, as easily as using a calculator. In fact, it is a calculator that is capable of matrix
algebra computations. Once the student is sure of having mastered the steps, they can be
converted into functions and whole problems can be solved by simply calling a few functions.
Scilab is an invaluable tool as solved problems need not be restricted to simple examples to suit
hand calculations.
Scilab is the outcome of years of development and continues to be improved and developed.
Having a rich set of features and being in wide use, its developers could very well have chosen
to commercialize it. But they have chosen to make it a 'free' software. Free, as in 'free of cost' as
well as in 'freedom', because the source code is also available for those who wish to modify and
improve it. You can visit the following websites to see some definitions of software freedom
and licensing issues:
http://www.fsf.org/licenses/licenses.html and
Open Source Initiative (http://www.opensource.org/licenses
You can also read the Scilab software license at the following website:
http://scilabsoft.inria.fr/license.txt
The Scilab license is included in the Appendix at the end of this document.
When its developers have been so generous, we as users must contribute to this movement
by learning to use it and applying it to solve problems. This tutorial is an attempt to introduce
students to the basics of Scilab. The next part of the tutorial is aimed at teaching students of
Civil Engineering to the basics of Scilab by applying it to the problem of matrix analysis of
plane frames. I hope this motivates students to learn and apply Scilab to solve a wider range of
problems.
This is the first version of this document and will certainly contain errors, typographical as
well as factual. You can help improve this document by reporting all errors you find and by
suggesting modifications and additions. Your views are always welcome. I can be reached at the
email address given on the cover page.
Acknowledgments
It goes without saying that my first indebtedness is to the developers of Scilab and the
consortium that continues to develop it. I must also thank Dr. A.B. Raju, E&EE Department,
BVBCET who first introduced me to Scilab and forever freed me from using Matlab.
April 2004 Satish Annigeri
Scilab Tutorial ii