QtiPlot
Encyclopedia
QtiPlot is a platform-independent
open-source
cross-platform
computer program for interactive scientific graphing
and data analysis
. It is similar to the proprietary programs Origin
or SigmaPlot
, and is being used to substitute these in universities .
QtiPlot can be used to present 2D and 3D data and has various data analysis functions like curve fitting. Plotting of 3D data can be rendered using OpenGL
using the Qwt3D libraries.
The program is also extensible to a considerable degree via muParser
and Python
scripting language, which allows adding the arbitrary user-defined functions with access to graphs, matrices and data tables.
Released under the terms of the GNU General Public License
(GPL), QtiPlot is free software
. Compiled binaries are available for Microsoft Windows
, several Linux
distributions and Mac OS X
. Downloading binaries from the author's website requires purchase of an annual maintenance contract, however anyone is allowed to compile and distribute binaries under the GPL. This is the case for some Linux distribution repositories as well as for Windows.
Cross-platform
In computing, cross-platform, or multi-platform, is an attribute conferred to computer software or computing methods and concepts that are implemented and inter-operate on multiple computer platforms...
open-source
Open-source software
Open-source software is computer software that is available in source code form: the source code and certain other rights normally reserved for copyright holders are provided under a software license that permits users to study, change, improve and at times also to distribute the software.Open...
cross-platform
Cross-platform
In computing, cross-platform, or multi-platform, is an attribute conferred to computer software or computing methods and concepts that are implemented and inter-operate on multiple computer platforms...
computer program for interactive scientific graphing
Plot (graphics)
A plot is a graphical technique for representing a data set, usually as a graph showing the relationship between two or more variables. The plot can be drawn by hand or by a mechanical or electronic plotter. Graphs are a visual representation of the relationship between variables, very useful for...
and data analysis
Data analysis
Analysis of data is a process of inspecting, cleaning, transforming, and modeling data with the goal of highlighting useful information, suggesting conclusions, and supporting decision making...
. It is similar to the proprietary programs Origin
Origin (software)
Origin is a proprietary computer program for interactive scientific graphing and data analysis. It is produced by OriginLab Corporation, and runs on Microsoft Windows...
or SigmaPlot
SigmaPlot
SigmaPlot is a proprietary software package for scientific graphing and data analysis. It runs on Microsoft Windows.The software can read multiple formats , and can also perform mathematical transforms and statistical analyses.-History:SigmaPlot was developed by Jandel Corporation for Windows 3.1x...
, and is being used to substitute these in universities .
QtiPlot can be used to present 2D and 3D data and has various data analysis functions like curve fitting. Plotting of 3D data can be rendered using OpenGL
OpenGL
OpenGL is a standard specification defining a cross-language, cross-platform API for writing applications that produce 2D and 3D computer graphics. The interface consists of over 250 different function calls which can be used to draw complex three-dimensional scenes from simple primitives. OpenGL...
using the Qwt3D libraries.
The program is also extensible to a considerable degree via muParser
MuParser
muParser is an extensible high-performance math expression parser library written in C++. It works by transforming a mathematical expression into bytecode and precalculating constant parts of the expression....
and Python
Python (programming language)
Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language whose design philosophy emphasizes code readability. Python claims to "[combine] remarkable power with very clear syntax", and its standard library is large and comprehensive...
scripting language, which allows adding the arbitrary user-defined functions with access to graphs, matrices and data tables.
Released under the terms of the GNU General Public License
GNU General Public License
The GNU General Public License is the most widely used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU Project....
(GPL), QtiPlot is free software
Free software
Free software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions that only ensure that further recipients can also do...
. Compiled binaries are available for Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
, several Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
distributions and Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
. Downloading binaries from the author's website requires purchase of an annual maintenance contract, however anyone is allowed to compile and distribute binaries under the GPL. This is the case for some Linux distribution repositories as well as for Windows.
Alternatives
- SciDAVisSciDAVisSciDAVis is a platform-independent open-source cross-platform computer program for interactive scientific graphing and data analysis...
, forked from QtiPlot in 2007 - LabPlotLabPlotLabPlot is a platform-independent open-source cross-platform computer program for interactive scientific graphing and data analysis, written for the KDE desktop. It is similar to Origin and is able to import Origin's data files.-History and Perspective:...
, another Origin clone - FitykFitykFityk is a curve fitting and data analysis application, predominantly used to fit analytical,bell-shaped functions to experimental data.It is positioned to fill the gap between general plotting softwareand programs specific for one field, eg...
, more focussed on curve fitting - peak-o-mat, similar to Fityk
- HippoDrawHippoDrawHippoDraw is a powerful object oriented statistical data analysis package written in C++, with user interaction via a Qt-based GUI and a Python scriptable interface...
, focussed on graphing - VeuszVeuszVeusz is a scientific plotting package. Veusz is a Qt application written in Python, PyQt and NumPy. It is freely available for anyone to distribute under the terms of the GPL. It is designed to produce publication-quality plots. The name should be pronounced as "views".This program produces...
, written in Python - ParaViewParaViewParaView is an open source, freely available program for parallel, interactive, scientific visualization. It has a client–server architecture to facilitate remote visualization of datasets, and generates level of detail models to maintain interactive framerates for large datasets. It is an...
, for visualizing huge datasets