If you are an engineering major, you'd better learn Matlab. The places where engineering majors use mathematical software often take Matlab as an example. The advantage of Matlab lies in various professional toolboxes and its Simulink simulation function.

If you major in mathematics or general science, I suggest you study Mathematica. Compared with Matlab, Mathematica is easier to use, the interface is more friendly and free, and the functions that Matlab can realize can basically be realized. Mathematica is an integrated input-output interface, which has strong database support. It is very convenient to use Wolfram's knowledge search engine in the networked state.

Maple and Mathcad are not recommended. Maple is good at symbolic calculation, and Mathcad is characterized by blackboard input and operation, or input freedom. However, it can be considered that Mathematica or Matlab can basically cover Maple and Mathcad in function.

As far as the number of users is concerned, the current situation in China is probably that Matlab & gtMathematica & gt Maple Leaf & gtMathcad, especially Matlab, has the largest number of users, which is also related to the earliest entry of Matlab into the China market, and its users have the best accumulation.

If the output is aesthetic, then Mathematica is undoubtedly the most gorgeous. Many people call themselves "Mathematica controllers", probably because they are deeply impressed by the images drawn by Mathematica.