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Overhaul About page with minor content changes.
author Kai T. Ohlhus <k.ohlhus@gmail.com>
date Wed, 08 Jul 2020 13:38:29 +0900
parents aaf612aece2b
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2 layout: page 2 layout: page
3 title: About 3 title: About
4 menu: true 4 menu: true
5 --- 5 ---
6 6
7 GNU Octave is a high-level language, primarily intended 7 GNU Octave is a high-level language, primarily intended for numerical
8 for numerical computations. It provides a convenient 8 computations.
9 command line interface for solving linear and nonlinear 9 It provides a convenient command line interface for solving linear and
10 problems numerically, and for performing other numerical 10 nonlinear problems numerically,
11 experiments using a language that is mostly compatible 11 and for performing other numerical experiments using a language that is mostly
12 with Matlab. It may also be used as a batch-oriented 12 compatible with Matlab.
13 language. 13 It may also be used as a batch-oriented language.
14 14
15 Octave has extensive tools for solving common numerical 15 Octave has extensive tools for solving common numerical linear algebra problems,
16 linear algebra problems, finding the roots of nonlinear 16 finding the roots of nonlinear equations,
17 equations, integrating ordinary functions, manipulating 17 integrating ordinary functions,
18 polynomials, and integrating ordinary differential and 18 manipulating polynomials,
19 differential-algebraic equations. It is easily 19 and integrating ordinary differential and differential-algebraic equations.
20 extensible and customizable via user-defined functions 20 It is easily extensible and customizable via user-defined functions written in
21 written in Octave's own language, or using dynamically 21 Octave's own language,
22 loaded modules written in C++, C, Fortran, or other 22 or using dynamically loaded modules written in C++, C, Fortran,
23 languages. 23 or other languages.
24 24
25 GNU Octave is also freely redistributable software. You 25 GNU Octave is also freely redistributable software.
26 may redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of 26 You may redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the
27 the [GNU General Public License (GPL)][1] as published by 27 [GNU General Public License (GPL)][GPL] as published by the
28 the [Free Software Foundation][2]. 28 [Free Software Foundation](https://www.fsf.org/).
29 29
30 Octave was written by [John W. Eaton][3] and [many others][4]. 30 Octave was written by [John W. Eaton](mailto:jwe@octave.org) and
31 Because Octave is [free software][5] you are encouraged to help 31 [many others](https://hg.savannah.gnu.org/hgweb/octave/file/tip/doc/interpreter/contributors.in).
32 make Octave more useful by writing and contributing additional 32 Because Octave is [free software](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html) you are encouraged to help make Octave
33 functions for it, and by reporting any problems you may have. 33 more useful by writing and contributing additional functions for it,
34 34 and by reporting any problems you may have.
35 [1]: https://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html
36 [2]: https://www.gnu.org/
37 [3]: mailto:jwe@octave.org
38 [4]: https://hg.savannah.gnu.org/hgweb/octave/file/tip/doc/interpreter/contributors.in
39 [5]: https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html
40
41 35
42 36
43 # History 37 # History
44 38
45 Octave was originally conceived (in about 1988) to be companion 39 Octave was originally conceived (in about 1988) to be companion software for an
46 software for an undergraduate-level textbook on chemical reactor 40 undergraduate-level textbook on chemical reactor design being written by James
47 design being written by James B. Rawlings of the University of 41 B. Rawlings of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and John G. Ekerdt of the
48 Wisconsin-Madison and John G. Ekerdt of the University of Texas. 42 University of Texas.
49 We originally envisioned some very specialized tools for the solution 43 We originally envisioned some very specialized tools for the solution of
50 of chemical reactor design problems. Later, after seeing the 44 chemical reactor design problems.
51 limitations of that approach, we opted to attempt to build a much more 45 Later,
52 flexible tool. 46 after seeing the limitations of that approach,
47 we opted to attempt to build a much more flexible tool.
53 48
54 There were still some people who said that we should just be using 49 There were still some people who said that we should just be using Fortran
55 Fortran instead, because it is the computer language of engineering, 50 instead,
56 but every time we had tried that, the students spent far too much time 51 because it is the computer language of engineering,
57 trying to figure out why their Fortran code failed and not enough time 52 but every time we had tried that,
58 learning about chemical engineering. We believed that with an 53 the students spent far too much time trying to figure out why their Fortran
59 interactive environment like Octave, most students would be able to 54 code failed and not enough time learning about chemical engineering.
60 pick up the basics quickly, and begin using it confidently in just a 55 We believed that with an interactive environment like Octave,
61 few hours. 56 most students would be able to pick up the basics quickly,
57 and begin using it confidently in just a few hours.
62 58
63 Full-time development began in the Spring of 1992. The first alpha 59 Full-time development began in the Spring of 1992.
64 release was January 4, 1993, and version 1.0 was released February 17, 60 The first alpha release was January 4, 1993, and version 1.0 was released
65 1994. Since then, Octave has been through several major revisions, is 61 February 17, 1994.
66 included with [Debian GNU/Linux][6], [openSUSE][7], and many other 62 Since then, Octave has been through several major revisions,
67 GNU/Linux distributions. Octave was reviewed in the in the July, 1997 63 is included with [Debian GNU/Linux](https://www.debian.org/),
68 issue of the [Linux Journal][8]. 64 [openSUSE](https://www.opensuse.org/),
65 and many other GNU/Linux distributions.
66 Octave was reviewed in the in the July, 1997 issue of the
67 [Linux Journal](http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/1225).
69 68
70 Clearly, Octave is now much more than just another courseware 69 Clearly,
71 package with limited utility beyond the classroom. Although our 70 Octave is now much more than just another courseware package with limited
72 initial goals were somewhat vague, we knew that we wanted to create 71 utility beyond the classroom.
73 something that would enable students to solve realistic problems, and 72 Although our initial goals were somewhat vague,
74 that they could use for many things other than chemical reactor design 73 we knew that we wanted to create something that would enable students to solve
75 problems. Today, thousands of people worldwide are using Octave in 74 realistic problems,
76 teaching, research, and commercial applications. 75 and that they could use for many things other than chemical reactor design
76 problems.
77 Today, thousands of people worldwide are using Octave in teaching,
78 research, and commercial applications.
77 79
78 Just about everyone thinks that the name Octave has something to do 80 Just about everyone thinks that the name Octave has something to do with music,
79 with music, but it is actually the name of one of the author's former 81 but it is actually the name of one of the author's former professor
80 professors who wrote a famous textbook on chemical reaction 82 [Octave Levenspiel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octave_Levenspiel)
81 engineering, and who was also well known for his ability to do quick 83 who wrote a famous textbook on chemical reaction engineering,
82 "back of the envelope" calculations. We hope that this software will 84 and who was also well known for his ability to do quick "back of the envelope"
83 make it possible for many people to do more ambitious computations 85 calculations.
84 just as easily. 86 We hope that this software will make it possible for many people to do more
87 ambitious computations just as easily.
85 88
86 Everyone is encouraged to share this software with others under the 89 Everyone is encouraged to share this software with others under the terms of
87 terms of the [GNU General Public License (GPL)][1]. You are also 90 the [GNU General Public License (GPL)][GPL].
88 encouraged to help make Octave more useful by writing and contributing 91 You are also encouraged to help make Octave more useful by writing and
89 additional functions for it, and by reporting any problems you may 92 contributing additional functions for it,
90 have. 93 and by reporting any problems you may have.
91 94
92 [6]: https://www.debian.org/ 95 [GPL]: https://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html
93 [7]: https://www.opensuse.org/
94 [8]: http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/1225