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Wolfram Mathematica VS LabVIEW

Compare Wolfram Mathematica VS LabVIEW and see what are their differences

Wolfram Mathematica logo Wolfram Mathematica

Mathematica has characterized the cutting edge in specialized processingโ€”and gave the chief calculation environment to a large number of pioneers, instructors, understudies, and others around the globe.

LabVIEW logo LabVIEW

LabVIEW offers many of the functions you'd find in a traditional script-based programming language presented in a more intuitive visual interface ideal fo engineering.
  • Wolfram Mathematica Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-08-07
  • LabVIEW Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-15

Wolfram Mathematica features and specs

  • Comprehensive Functionality
    Wolfram Mathematica offers a broad range of functions in various domains such as numerical computations, symbolic calculations, data visualization, and more.
  • High-Level Programming Language
    The Wolfram Language is a powerful, high-level programming language specifically designed for symbolic computation and algorithmic development.
  • Integrated System
    Mathematica integrates computation, visualization, and data seamlessly, providing an all-in-one system for technical computing.
  • Strong Community & Support
    Mathematica has a robust community of users and excellent support resources, including extensive documentation, user forums, and direct support.
  • Real-World Data Integration
    Integrated access to the Wolfram Knowledgebase allows users to import a vast array of real-world data directly into computations.
  • Interactive Notebooks
    Mathematica's notebook interface allows for interactive document creation, combining calculations, visualizations, narratives, and interactive controls.

Possible disadvantages of Wolfram Mathematica

  • High Cost
    Mathematica is quite expensive, especially for individual users and small businesses, with substantial licensing fees.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    The software can be difficult to learn for beginners due to its high-level and feature-rich environment.
  • Performance Limitations
    For certain large-scale numerical computations or simulations, Mathematica may underperform compared to specialized numerical software.
  • Closed Source
    Unlike some other computational tools, Mathematica is not open-source, which can be a disadvantage for those who prefer open-source software for flexibility and transparency.
  • Version Compatibility
    There are sometimes compatibility issues between different versions of Mathematica, which can cause problems when sharing code and documents between users with different versions.
  • Hardware Requirements
    Mathematica can be resource-intensive and may require high-performance hardware to run efficiently, especially for complex tasks.

LabVIEW features and specs

  • Graphical Programming
    LabVIEW utilizes a graphical programming language called 'G', which allows users to design programs by connecting functional nodes with wires in a block diagram, making it intuitive and easy to visualize data flow and program structure.
  • Integration
    LabVIEW offers seamless integration with National Instruments (NI) hardware, enabling quick and efficient setup for data acquisition, instrument control, and embedded systems.
  • Extensive Libraries
    LabVIEW comes with a wide array of built-in libraries and toolkits for various applications such as data analysis, signal processing, and machine learning, significantly speeding up development time.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    LabVIEW supports several operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing for flexible deployment options.
  • Support and Community
    NI provides robust technical support and there is a large, active community of users who contribute tutorials, forums, and example projects, facilitating learning and problem-solving.

Possible disadvantages of LabVIEW

  • Cost
    LabVIEW is proprietary software, and its licensing costs can be high, especially for small businesses or personal use, potentially limiting accessibility.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its visual nature, mastering LabVIEW can take a considerable amount of time and effort, particularly for users who are more comfortable with traditional text-based programming languages.
  • Performance
    Graphical programming can sometimes lead to less efficient code in comparison to optimized text-based languages, potentially impacting performance for computationally intensive applications.
  • Vendor Lock-In
    Being tightly integrated with NI hardware and software, switching to or incorporating other vendors' products can be challenging, leading to a form of vendor lock-in.
  • Cluttered Interface
    For large and complex projects, the graphical nature of LabVIEW can result in cluttered block diagrams, which may be hard to manage and troubleshoot.

Analysis of LabVIEW

Overall verdict

  • LabVIEW is highly regarded in industries such as engineering, manufacturing, and research for its capability to quickly develop and deploy reliable systems. Its effectiveness can vary based on project requirements and user familiarity with graphical programming. While it is powerful for specific applications, it might not be the best choice for general-purpose software development.

Why this product is good

  • LabVIEW, developed by National Instruments, is a graphical programming environment used primarily for data acquisition, instrument control, and industrial automation. It excels in applications requiring rapid development of test, measurement, and control systems. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface allows for easy development of complex programs, particularly where visual representation of logic is beneficial. It also integrates seamlessly with a wide variety of hardware and provides extensive libraries for data analysis and visualization.

Recommended for

  • Engineers and scientists who need to build test and measurement applications
  • Professionals involved in industrial automation and control systems
  • Educational institutions for teaching students about data acquisition and instrumentation
  • Companies looking for a rapid development environment for prototyping hardware-integrated applications

Wolfram Mathematica videos

Introduction to Wolfram Notebooks

LabVIEW videos

Introduction to LabVIEW NXG

More videos:

  • Review - What's new in LabVIEW 2019?
  • Review - LabVIEW NXG First review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Wolfram Mathematica and LabVIEW)
Technical Computing
71 71%
29% 29
Numerical Computation
81 81%
19% 19
3D
70 70%
30% 30
Math Solver
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Wolfram Mathematica and LabVIEW

Wolfram Mathematica Reviews

10 Best MATLAB Alternatives [For Beginners and Professionals]
Wolfram Mathematica is packed with features that make your computations super-easy. Mathematica can handle any visualizations or plot with ease.
6 MATLAB Alternatives You Could Use
Deveoped by Wolfram Research, the pioneers of computational software, Mathematica comes with a truckload of features for all your mathematical computational needs. The latest version boasts over 700 new functions, as well as multiple function libraries and geo visualization/animation tools. And thatโ€™s just the tip of the iceberg. From 2D/3D image processing to enhanced...
Source: beebom.com

LabVIEW Reviews

  1. Sachin
    ยท Engineer at Legrand ยท
    Automation Engineer

    Experience in automation with Labview projects. Certified Labview associate developer

    ๐Ÿ Competitors: Visual Basic, .NET
    ๐Ÿ‘ Pros:    Easy to learn|Worked examples|Toolkits to many other softwares
    ๐Ÿ‘Ž Cons:    Costly|Easy to make mistakes|Best works with windows

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Wolfram Mathematica and LabVIEW, you can also consider the following products

MATLAB - A high-level language and interactive environment for numerical computation, visualization, and programming

GNU Octave - GNU Octave is a programming language for scientific computing.

Scilab - Scilab Official Website. Enter your search in the box aboveAbout ScilabScilab is free and open source software for numerical . Thanks for downloading Scilab!

Autodesk Fusion 360 - Integrated CAD, CAM, and CAE featuring collaborative editing and cloud-based computation.

Sage Math - Sage is a free open-source mathematics software system licensed under the GPL.

Enterprise Architect - Enterprise Architect - UML Design Tools and UML CASE tools for software development | Sparx Systems