DADiSP SPL vs. MATLAB software

Although each language has its own approach and advantages, it is fairly easy to convert routines from one to the other. For example, here are two routines that perform numerical quadrature based on the trapezoidal rule -- one written in MATLAB and the other in DADiSP SPL:

The ultimate design goal of DADiSP is to allow the user to focus on the problem at hand and not the code in the debugger. However, for those who wish to customize DADiSP or add special processing capability, DADiSP provides a robust series processing language called SPL. SPL is based on the very popular C/C++ language and sports a C/C++ like syntax. As a result, SPL routines have a clean and familiar style about them. Because MATLAB was originally developed in FORTRAN and later rewritten in C, MATLAB programs generally have a less consistent, "mixed breed" feel, often combining FORTRAN and C coding styles.

In short, MATLAB is essentially an interpreted programming environment, somewhat analogous to Visual Basic with technical data analysis capability. DADiSP is more like a spreadsheet, a non-programming core methodology that includes a programming language, similiar to the combination of Excel and Visual Basic.
SPL

DADiSP - Language Included

DADiSP, on the other hand, is a full-featured data analysis and visualization environment designed around a more generalized data construct called a data series. A DADiSP series can represent anything -- from a time domain radar signal to a medical image -- and includes important attributes about the data. The product's highly graphical user interface features interrelated "live" graphical windows, manipulated by simple pull-down menus, dialog boxes and point-and-click operation. Graphs are automatic and dynamic. By working in this powerful and familiar environment, the DADiSP user avoids the many perils of programming.

Engineering Spreadsheet

MATLAB is a matrix-based programming language. In fact, MATLAB stands for "MATrix LABoratory" and was originally developed to provide easier programming access to specialized matrix processing routines. MATLAB consists primarily of a command interpreter and a variety of sub-routines that reside in ASCII files known as M files. Typically, the MATLAB user types out expressions or writes small M files to analyze data and generate graphics.

Matrix Based M Files

Although DADiSP and MATLAB are both software tools designed for a technical audience, the products differ considerably in how they meet the demanding data analysis needs of scientists and engineers.

For MATLAB users, one of the more interesting features of DADiSP is a comprehensive data series processing language called SPL. Many students and instructors who are familiar with MATLAB and similar products have asked us what makes SPL different. Here's the scoop...

Technical Computing Tools

Check this brief description of what DADiSP is and what it can do for you. You can also watch our introductory Flash Demo and Executive Summary for a quick overview of DADiSP and the concept of an engineering spreadsheet.

The introduction of the Student Edition of DADiSP (a free download for all academic users, by the way) has caused quite a stir at universities and academic institutions around the world. Over the last few years, DSP Development has licensed DADiSP formally to dozens of top universities and training institutes, but the Student Edition program has put DADiSP into the hands of tens of thousands of students and academics to use for research or teaching.

Emerging Academic Powerhouse

If you have found this web page, you might be familiar with the MATLAB (1) software from the MathWorks or one of the free clones. While the rest of this website is devoted to DSP Development Corporation and its flagship DADiSP product, this particular page focuses on the similarities and differences between MATLAB and our alternative, DADiSP.

A brief comparison for those of you who aren't afraid to explore alternatives...

If you have found this web page, you might be familiar with the MATLAB (1) software from the MathWorks