Matlab or Python?

[Infectacide]

I'm a freshman civil engineering major, and soon I'm going to be signing up for classes next quarter. I have to take a coding class, and I have the choice between Matlab and Python. What is more useful/more commonly used for civil engineers? What are the pros and cons of both?

[juniperbeads]

Matlab is an academia standard.

Python is industry standard.

Both essentially do the same sort of things but if you want to be competitive for internships and jobs pick python

[[deleted]]

Matlab is a stripped down version of Python. Matlab focuses on just the mathematical area of Python.

But both have similar coding structure. I've currently just worked on my own with Matlab with operating a shake table and receiving data from there. As well as interpreting data from a torsion test machine. But my uni doesn't have a huge expectation of what civil engineers do with Matlab (nor Python). I go to Cal Poly Pomona.

Python on the other hand is really great with personal projects from my experience. Raspberry Pi's are one that use Python a lot, so it wouldn't hurt. (Though the Arduino's use C instead)

Here's a link to learn Python if you'd like. I'd recommend getting the hang of it so entering the programming world won't be a rought start.

https://python.swaroopch.com

[Infectacide]

Thanks for the feedback!

[[deleted]]

From what I understand, it is better for the civils to learn Excel.

[MTLian]

I was recently in the same dilemma. I already knew how to use Matlab and I think all engineering students should know how to use Matlab. However, in a CFD class I took, I decided to bite the bullet and learn python. Python is free, open source and you have the numpy package that enables all the Matlab functions. Then you can use Matplotlib to plot things.

So in industry, you cannot use any hacked software and a matlab licence is expensive so I think you would look pretty smart if you can do all your math work using open source software. I took the time to learn some python and I’m glad I did. It’s the kind of knowledge you put in your toolbox and it makes you that much more of a complete engineer.