# Obtaining MATLAB and Octave


You need to install either MATLAB or Octave for this course. MATLAB has some advantages:

• MATLAB has better error checking and better help. MATLAB's documentation is better, but you can most of MATLAB's documentation without purchasing a license.
• MATLAB runs faster. This is not an issue for this class' assignments, but is an issue for large analysis code you might use professionally.
• If you would like to have instruction in espanol, this is a link to a playlist of 24 videos on many Matlab/Octave topics:

The basic MATLAB student license is $49, which is a great deal. The MATLAB licenses are valid for as long as you are a student anywhere. The link to purchase the MATLAB license is: https://www.mathworks.com/store/link/products/student/new?s_iid=htb_buy_gtwy_cta3 If you wish, you can choose the MATLAB & Simulink Student Suite is$99. This includes a number of toolboxes and Simulink, which you may find useful in future classes. This is also a great deal, but is not needed for this class.

• ## Obtaining Octave

https://www.gnu.org/software/octave