matlab

Run MATLAB scripts non-interactively with matlab -batch "run('script.m')", which executes the script and exits with a proper status code. For GNU Octave, use octave --no-gui script.m or octave --quiet --eval for one-liners.

GNU Octave is a free, open-source alternative with high MATLAB compatibility, and most scripts run unmodified. Key differences include Octave-only operators like ++ and +=, missing MATLAB toolboxes, and partial classdef support.

Most basic scripts run without modification if you use % comments, 'end' block terminators, single-quoted strings, and avoid toolbox-specific functions. Save MAT files with -v7 format and test in both environments to confirm compatibility.

Use ode45 for nonstiff ODEs by passing a function handle, time span, and initial conditions, such as [t, y] = ode45(@(t,y) -2*y, [0 5], 1). Convert higher-order equations into first-order systems, and try ode15s for stiff problems.

Loops are slow when arrays grow without preallocation or when operations could be vectorized. Preallocate with zeros(1, n) before the loop, and replace element-wise loops with vector operations like y = sin(x) or logical indexing.