Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2006 18:25:02 -0400
Reply-To: Wensui Liu <liuwensui@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From: Wensui Liu <liuwensui@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Compare SAS and MatLab?
In-Reply-To: <2A8950B631740443B68DA7B7AC1027BA05BC99@insightsnow-exc.insightsnow.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
John,
If you simply compare stat toolbox in matlab with stat/SAS, I totally
agree with you that SAS is much better than matlab. However,
1) it is much easy to do generic programming and write your own
functions in matlab. There is no comparison between writing SAS macro
and writing functions in matlab.
2) it is very easy to create high-quality chart in matlab. The chart
quality in matlab is comparable with the one created by S+/R.
3) if you are using neural net, the functions provoded by Eminer/SAS
is not even close to the neuralnet toolbox in matlab.
4) in tems of price, I think matlab is much cheaper than SAS.
On 6/15/06, John Horne <John.Horne@insightsnow.com> wrote:
> D'Oh, I replied to Eric, not the group -- by bad --
>
> I have to chime in and agree with Eric B. Whenever I have a complex
> problem involving matrix algebra, I tend to turn to MatLab, but I'm far
> more likely to use SAS for everyday statistical problems. The addition
> of anovan (and its ability to handle nested designs) is a big recent
> improvement to MatLab's toolbox, but the statistical tools in SAS still
> far outsurpass those in MatLab.
>
> SAS is also better at automation as it seamlessly integrates with .Net
> architecture -- something MatLab is still working on. MatLab's
> programming language is nevertheless easy to use and understand -- if
> you have a strong matrix algebra background -- so like Eric, I say get
> both.
>
> Cheers! John
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: SAS(r) Discussion [mailto:SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf Of
> Eric B
> Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 8:17 AM
> To: SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
> Subject: Re: Compare SAS and MatLab?
>
> I agree, MATLAB is a great product, but in my opinion it completely
> depends on what your doing.
> If your doing any "mathematical" type problems (i.e. large scale
> simulations, equation solving, etc ...) I think MATLAB is far superior
> to SAS. The language is relatively easy to learn as is a much more
> "obvious" programming language than SAS. For example, if you want to
> create an nxn matrix of zeros, the MATLAB command is zeros(n,n) ... or
> for an nxn identity matrix the command is eye(n). Plus if you want your
> plots to look good, MATLAB plots are definetly the way to go. (Unless
> you buy the expensive SAS/GRAPH add-on)
> However, if your doing any "statistical" problems (i.e. predictive
> modeling, statistical analysis, etc ...) I think SAS is far superior in
> these applications. SAS also does very well with massive datasets and
> has a lot of great built in procedures.
> So, depending on what your doing, MATLAB and SAS both have there
> advantages and disadvantages. They're both expensive, but if your
> companies paying for them ... I say get both !
> Hope that helps
>
> Eric B
>
--
WenSui Liu
(http://spaces.msn.com/statcompute/blog)
Senior Decision Support Analyst
Health Policy and Clinical Effectiveness
Cincinnati Children Hospital Medical Center
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