Predefined functions in Scilab

This page offers a comprehensive overview of the primary commands and functions available in Scilab.

In the first section, you'll encounter essential, frequently used base commands. The second section introduces a collection of other useful commands and functions, particularly pertinent in specific circumstances.

Basic Commands

Here are some commonly used base functions and commands in Scilab:

• clc
  Clears the command window, removing all displayed commands and results.
• clear
  Wipes all variables from the workspace. For instance, clear x eliminates variable x from memory, whereas clear alone removes all variables.
• disp
  Displays the value of a variable or a text message. For instance, disp(x) prints the value of variable x, while disp('Hello, Scilab!') prints the message "Hello, Scilab!".
• help
  Provides syntax and usage information about a specific function. For example, help plot supplies information on using the plot() function.
• length
  Returns the number of elements in a vector or the largest dimension of a matrix. For instance, length(v) yields the number of elements in vector v.
• load
  Loads variables from a file. For instance, load('myfile.sce') pulls variables from a file named myfile.sce.
• pause
  Halts program execution for a given number of seconds. For instance, pause(5) interrupts execution for 5 seconds.
• save
  Stores the current variables in a file. For instance, save('myfile.sce') saves current variables in a file named myfile.sce.
• size
  Returns the number of rows and columns in a matrix or a vector. For instance, size(A) yields the number of rows and columns in matrix A.
• who
  Lists the variables currently in the workspace.
• whos
  Gives a detailed list of variables in the workspace, including their size and data type.

Other Commands

Here's a roster of other usable commands and functions in Scilab:

• a2s
  Converts an array into a string.
• abs
  Calculates the absolute value of a number or each element of an array.
• acos
  Computes the arccosine of a number or each element of an array.
• acosh
  Calculates the hyperbolic arccosine of a number or each element of an array.
• addf
  Adds two functions together.
• adj2sp
  Transforms an adjacency matrix into a sparse matrix.
• affich
  Displays a message in the command bar.
• aligntol
  Aligns a matrix to a specified point.
• alog10
  Calculates the base 10 logarithm of a number or each element of an array.
• and
  Computes the logical AND between two arrays.
• argn
  Returns the number of input or output arguments for a function.
• asin
  Computes the arcsine of a number.
• asinh
  Computes the hyperbolic arcsine of a number or each element of an array.
• atan
  Computes the arcsine of a number.
• atanh
  Computes the hyperbolic arctangent of a number or each element of an array.
• balanc
  Balances a matrix.
• band
  Creates a matrix with a band.
• bar
  Generates a bar chart.
• base2dec
  Converts a string of numbers in base n to a decimal number.
• bernoulli
  Generates a number from a Bernoulli distribution.
• besselh, besseli, besselj, besselk, bessely
  Bessel functions.
• beta
  Beta function.
• bin2dec
  Converts a binary number to decimal
• binomial
  Generates a number from a binomial distribution.
• bitand, bitor, bitxor, bitcmp, bitget, bitset, bitshift
  Bitwise operations.
• blackman
  Blackman window.
• blockdiag
  Constructs a block diagonal matrix.
• boolean
  Creates a Boolean value.
• cat
  Concatenates matrices or vectors along a specific dimension.
• cd
  Changes the current working directory.
• ceil
  Rounds a number up to the next largest integer.
• chdir
  Changes the current working directory.
• clc
  Clears the command prompt window.
• clear
  Wipes all variables from the workspace.
• clf
  Clears the current figure.
• close
  Closes a graphic window.
• colormap
  Changes or retrieves the current color map.
• complex
  Generates a complex number from a real and an imaginary part.
• cond
  Computes the condition number of a matrix.
• conj
  Calculates the complex conjugate of a number.
• continue
  Skips the remainder of the current iteration in a loop and moves to the next iteration.
• cos
  Calculates the cosine of an angle.
• cosh
  Computes the hyperbolic cosine of a number.
• csvRead
  Reads data from a CSV file.
• csvWrite
  Writes data into a CSV file.
• cumprod
  Computes the cumulative product of the elements of a vector or a matrix.
• cumsum
  Calculates the cumulative sum of the elements of a vector or a matrix.
• datenum
  Converts a date and time to a serial number.
• datevec
  Converts a date serial number into a vector of date components.
• dbclear
  Removes breakpoints.
• dbcont
  Resumes debug execution.
• dbquit
  Exits from debug mode.
• dbstack
  Displays the position of the current function in the debug file.
• dbstatus
  Displays all breakpoints.
• dbstop
  Sets a breakpoint.
• dec2bin
  Converts a decimal number to binary.
• dec2oct
  Converts a decimal number to octal.
• dec2hex
  Converts a decimal number to hexadecimal.
• det
  Computes the determinant of a matrix. For example, det(A) computes the determinant of matrix A.
• diag
  Returns a diagonal matrix from a vector, or yields a vector containing the diagonal elements of a matrix. For example, diag([1, 2, 3]) returns a 3x3 diagonal matrix with 1, 2, and 3 on the diagonal.
• diff
  Calculates the difference between successive elements of a vector.
• disp
  Displays the value of a variable or a text message.
• dlmread
  Reads data from a delimited file.
• dlmwrite
  Writes data into a delimited file.
• dot
  Computes the dot product of two vectors.
• %e
  This constant returns Euler's number.
• eigs
  Computes some eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a matrix.
• eig
  Computes the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a matrix. For example, [V, D] = eig(A) computes the eigenvalues (D) and eigenvectors (V) of matrix A.
• eps
  Returns machine precision (minimum detectable difference between two floating-point numbers).
• erf
  Calculates the error function.
• erfc
  Calculates the complementary error function.
• erfinv
  Calculates the inverse of the error function.
• erfcinv
  Calculates the inverse of the complementary error function.
• evstr
  Evaluates a string as a Scilab command.
• eval
  Evaluates an expression or a string.
• exp
  Computes the exponential of each element in a matrix.
• expm
  Calculates the exponential of a matrix.
• eye
  Creates an identity matrix of a specified size. For instance, eye(3,3) creates a 3x3 identity matrix.
• exec
  Executes a Scilab script file.
• exists
  Checks for the existence of a variable.
• exit
  Exits from Scilab.
• %f
  Represents the Boolean value "False".
• factor
  Computes the factorization and returns the list of prime factors for a given number.
• factorial
  Calculates the factorial n! of a non-negative integer.
• feval
  Executes a function specified by a string or a function handle.
• find
  Returns the indices of the elements in a vector or a matrix that satisfy a certain condition. For instance, find(A > 0) returns the indices of the elements in A that are greater than 0.
• format
  Set the number of digits in the representation of numbers.
• fft
  Performs the Fast Fourier Transform.
• fftw
  Functions for the Fourier Transform.
• fscanf
  Reads data from a file based on a specified format.
• fseek
  Moves the position pointer within a file.
• fsolve
  Solves nonlinear equations.
• full
  Converts a sparse matrix to a full matrix.
• fprintf
  Writes data to a file based on a specified format.
• fread
  Reads binary data from a file.
• fwrite
  Writes binary data to a file.
• gca
  Returns the handle to the current entity ("get current axes").
• gcf
  Returns the handle to the current graphical window ("get current figure").
• get
  Retrieves the value of a specific property of a graphic handle.
• getcolor
  Opens a dialogue box to select a color.
• getf
  Retrieves the number associated with a figure from a handle or figure name.
• getdate
  Returns the current time and date as a vector.
• grayplot
  Creates a grid plot.
• grid
  Adds a grid to a current plot.
• gradient
  Calculates the gradient of a matrix.
• grand
  Generates random numbers from various distributions.
• hav
  Calculates the haversine function.
• halt
  Interrupts the execution of the code.
• hankel
  Creates a Hankel matrix.
• hex2dec
  Converts a hexadecimal number to decimal.
• hilb
  Creates a Hilbert matrix.
• hist3d
  Creates a 3D histogram.
• histplot
  Creates a bar plot.
• histm
  Calculates the histogram of a matrix.
• h2norm
  Calculates the H2 norm.
• help
  Provides help on a topic or function.
• hess
  Calculates the Hessenberg form of a matrix.
• %i
  Used to represent the imaginary unit, equivalent to sqrt(-1).
• %inf
  Infinity symbol
• ifft
  Performs the Inverse Fourier Transform.
• imag
  Returns the imaginary part of a complex number.
• import
  Imports data from files in various formats, including CSV and Excel.
• int
  Converts a floating-point number to an integer.
• int8
  Converts a number to an 8-bits integer
• int16
  Converts a number to a 16-bits integer.
• int32
  Converts a number to a 32-bits integer.
• int64
  Converts a number to a 64-bits integer.
• integrate
  Performs numerical integration of a function.
• interp
  Performs data interpolation.
• inv
  Calculates the inverse of a matrix. For example, inv(A) calculates the inverse of the matrix A.
• isreal
  Checks whether a number is real (that is, if it does not have an imaginary part).
• issquare
  Checks if a matrix is square.
• isvector
  Checks if a matrix is a vector.
• isinf
  Checks if a number is infinite.
• isnan
  Checks if a number is not a number (NaN).
• isdef
  Checks if a variable or function is defined.
• isempty
  Checks if a matrix is empty.
• jacf
  This function calculates the Jacobian approximation of a function.
• jmat
  This function returns the Pauli matrix or the J matrix of a quaternion depending on the given arguments.
• join
  This function joins two or more matrices or vectors along a specific dimension.
• jordan
  This function calculates the Jordan normal form of a matrix.
• jroots
  This function calculates the roots of a polynomial with complex coefficients.
• %j
  This is a predefined constant in Scilab representing the imaginary unit (equivalent to %i in Scilab).
• kron
  Returns the Kronecker product of two matrices. Usage example: kron(A, B).
• kmeans
  Performs data clustering using the k-means algorithm. Usage example: kmeans(X, k).
• keyboard
  Interrupts the execution of a function or a script and gives control to the user. Usage example: keyboard.
• kill
  Terminates an external process. Usage example: kill(pid).
• kfwrite
  Writes data in Kelvin format to a file. Usage example: kfwrite('filename', data).
• linspace
  Generates a linear sequence of points between two limits. For instance, linspace(0, 1, 11) generates 11 evenly spaced points between 0 and 1.
• log
  Calculates the natural logarithm.
• log10
  Calculates the base 10 logarithm.
• log1p
  Calculates the natural logarithm of 1 plus a number.
• log2
  Calculates the base 2 logarithm.
• logspace
  Generates a logarithmic sequence of points between two limits. For instance, logspace(0, 1, 11) generates 11 evenly spaced points on a logarithmic scale between 10⁰ and 10¹.
• length
  Returns the number of elements in a vector or the maximum dimension of a matrix.
• load
  Loads variables from a file.
• lu
  Performs the LU factorization of a matrix.
• lqr
  Calculates the optimal linear quadratic regulator for a control system.
• m2sci
  Converts MATLAB or Octave code into Scilab code.
• m2scideclare
  Declaration for MATLAB to Scilab conversion.
• m2scideclareglobal
  Declaration for MATLAB to Scilab conversion.
• m2scideclarevar
  Declaration for MATLAB to Scilab conversion.
• m2scideclareview
  Declaration for MATLAB to Scilab conversion.
• madd
  Adds a matrix to another.
• mag2db
  Converts magnitude to decibel.
• makematrix
  Creates a matrix.
• makelist
  Creates a list.
• manova
  Performs multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA).
• map
  Maps a function to each element of a matrix or a list.
• matfile_close
  Closes a MATLAB matrix file.
• matfile_listvar
  Lists the variables in a MATLAB matrix file.
• matfile_open
  Opens a MATLAB matrix file.
• matfile_varreadnext
  Reads the next variable from a MATLAB matrix file.
• max
  Finds the maximum value.
• mean
  Calculates the arithmetic mean.
• median
  Calculates the median.
• menu
  Creates an interactive menu.
• meshgrid
  Creates a 2D coordinate grid used for evaluating functions over a grid. For example, [X, Y] = meshgrid(-10:10, -10:10) generates X and Y matrices of coordinates on a 21x21 grid.
• min
  Finds the minimum value.
• mod
  Calculates the modulus (remainder of the division).
• nearfloat
  This function returns the nearest floating values.
• ndims
  This function returns the number of dimensions of an array.
• newfun
  This function allows defining new functions in Scilab.
• newlist
  This function creates a new list.
• newim
  This function creates an empty image.
• neldermead
  This function implements the Nelder-Mead optimization algorithm.
• nchoosek
  This function calculates the binomial coefficient.
• neigh
  This function returns the matrix of neighbors of a graph.
• nextpow2
  This function returns the exponent for the next power of two.
• norm
  This function calculates the norm of a vector or a matrix.
• num2str
  Converts a number into a string. For example, num2str(123) returns the string '123'.
• oct2dec
  Converts a octal number to decimal
• ones
  Crea una matrice o un vettore di uno. Ad esempio, ones(2, 2) restituisce una matrice 2x2 piena di uno.
• or
  A logical operator that returns true if at least one of the operands is true.
• ode
  Used to solve ordinary differential equations.
• optim
  Implements various optimization methods.
• orderfields
  Sorts or reorders the fields of a structure.
• opengl
  Controls the use of OpenGL in Scilab.
• output
  Configures the output of plots.
• orth
  Returns an orthonormal basis for the rank of a matrix.
• oldmarkstyle
  Changes the marking style for previous versions.
• oldstyle
  Changes the figure building style for previous versions.
• %pi
  This constant returns the value of pi ( π )
• pade
  Calculates the Padé approximation of a function.
• pause
  Pauses the execution of a script for a specific number of seconds.
• plot
  Creates a 2D plot of data.
• plot2d
  Another function for creating 2D plots.
• plot3d
  Creates a 3D plot of data.
• poly
  Creates a polynomial from its coefficients or its roots. For example, poly([1, 2, 3], 'x') creates the polynomial x³ - 6x² + 11x - 6.
• print
  Prints the contents of a variable or an expression.
• printf
  Another print function that allows you to format the output.
• prod
  Calculates the product of the elements of a vector or a matrix.
• pwd
  Returns the path of the current working directory.
• rand
  Generates a matrix of random numbers between 0 and 1. For example, rand(3,3) creates a 3x3 matrix of random numbers.
• roots
  Finds the roots of a polynomial. For example, roots([1, -6, 11, -6]) finds the roots of the polynomial x³ - 6x² + 11x - 6.
• plot
  Creates a 2D plot of input data. For example, plot(x,y) creates a plot of x values against y.
• q2e
  Converts a quaternion into a Euclidean rotation matrix.
• q2r
  Converts a quaternion into a rotation matrix.
• qchol
  Performs a Cholesky decomposition of positive definite matrix subject to semi-definiteness.
• qderiv
  Calculates the derivative quotient of two vectors.
• qeig
  Calculates eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a symmetric/Hermitian matrix.
• qevf
  Calculates the quasi-triangular Schur decomposition of a matrix.
• qfft
  Calculates the Fast Fourier Transform.
• qifft
  Calculates the Fast Inverse Fourier Transform.
• qp
  Solves quadratic programming problems.
• qr
  Calculates the QR decomposition of a matrix.
• qrupdate
  Updates the QR decomposition of a matrix.
• rand
  Generates uniformly distributed random numbers between 0 and 1.
• randn
  Generates normally distributed random numbers.
• real
  Returns the real part of a complex number.
• roots
  Calculates the roots of a polynomial.
• rank
  Determines the rank of a matrix.
• reshape
  Changes the dimensions of a matrix without altering its data.
• round
  Rounds a number to the nearest integer.
• rem
  Calculates the remainder after division, equivalent to the modulo operator.
• repmat
  Replicates and tiles a matrix to create a larger matrix.
• rcond
  Calculates the reciprocal condition number of a matrix.
• return
  Ends the execution of a function and returns control to the calling statement.
• read
  Reads data from a file.
• save
  Saves variables to a file.
• scanf
  Reads formatted data from a stream.
• scatter
  Creates a scatter plot.
• semilogx
  Creates a plot with a logarithmic x-axis and a linear y-axis.
• semilogy
  Creates a plot with a logarithmic y-axis and a linear x-axis.
• sin
  Calculates the sine of a number.
• size
  Returns the number of rows and columns in a matrix or vector.
• sort
  Sorts the elements of a vector or the rows of a matrix. For example, sort(v) returns a vector with the elements of v sorted in ascending order.
• sound
  Plays an audio signal.
• sqrt
  Calculates the square root.
• string
  Converts a string to a number. For example, str2num('123') returns the number 123.
• subplot
  Enables the creation of multiple plots in a single figure. For example, subplot(2,1,1) creates a layout for two plots, one above the other, and selects the first plot for subsequent drawing.
• sum
  Adds up the elements of a vector or matrix. For example, sum(v) returns the sum of the elements of the vector v, while sum(A) returns a vector with the sum of the elements of each column of the matrix A.
• svd
  Calculates the singular value decomposition of a matrix.
• syms
  Creates symbolic variables.
• system
  Executes a system command.
• %t
  Represents the Boolean value "True".
• tan
  Calculates the tangent of an angle.
• tanh
  Computes the hyperbolic tangent of a number.
• title
  Adds a title to a graph.
• trace
  Computes the trace of a matrix (the sum of the elements on the main diagonal).
• transpose
  Calculates the transpose of a matrix.
• tril
  Returns the lower triangular part of a matrix.
• triu
  Returns the upper triangular part of a matrix.
• type
  Returns the type of an entity.
• testmatrix
  Generates various types of test matrices.
• toeplitz
  Creates a Toeplitz matrix given a sequence.
• timer
  Measures the execution time of a code.
• tic , toc
  Measure the elapsed time between the execution of the two commands.
• uicontrol
  Creates a user control object in a figure.
• uimenu
  Creates a menu in a figure.
• uiputfile
  Opens a dialog box to select a file to save.
• uigetfile
  Opens a dialog box to select a file to open.
• uigetdir
  Opens a dialog box to select a directory.
• uisetcolor
  Opens a dialog box to select a color.
• uisetfont
  Opens a dialog box to select a font.
• union
  Finds the union of two sets.
• unique
  Finds unique elements in an array.
• uint8
  Convert to an 8 bit unsigned integer data type.
• uint16
  Convert to a 16 bit unsigned integer data type.
• uint32
  Convert to a 32 bit unsigned integer data type.
• uint64
  Convert to a 64 bit unsigned integer data type.
• variance
  Calculates the variance of a data set.
• vectors
  Creates a data vector.
• verchol
  Performs Cholesky decomposition on a variance matrix.
• vertcat
  Concatenates vertically two or more matrices or vectors.
• view_pixmap
  Displays a pixmap image.
• viterbi
  Implements the Viterbi algorithm.
• vtranspose
  Performs a vertical transformation of a matrix.
• vsum
  Performs the sum along the vector dimension.
• voronoi
  Calculates the Voronoi diagram.
• vmd
  Performs the variable mode decomposition.
• warningThis function allows you to control how Scilab reacts when it encounters a warning during the execution of a command. You can use it to enable, disable, or customize warning messages.
• what
  This function provides a list of all the functions available in the Scilab directories and module directories.
• whos
  This function provides a detailed list of all the variables currently in the working memory, showing their sizes and data types.
• who
  This function provides a list of all the variables currently in the working memory.
• writemat
  This function allows you to write a matrix or a set of matrices to a binary file.
• write
  This function allows you to write data to a file.
• waitbar
  This function creates a progress bar that can be used to indicate the progress of a long-lasting operation.
• wavread , wavwrite
  These functions are used to read and write WAV audio files.
• xchange
  Swaps a variable with another variable.
• xclick
  Waits for a mouse click in a graphic window and returns the coordinates.
• xdel
  Deletes a graphic window.
• xend
  Ends the drawing phase in a graphic window.
• xfarc
  Draws a full arc in a graphic window.
• xget
  Gets the value of a property of a graphic window.
• xgrid
  Adds a grid to a plot in a graphic window.
• xlabel
  Adds a label to the x-axis of a graph.
• xlim
  Sets the limits of the x-axis of a graph.
• xset
  Sets the value of a property of a graphic window.
• zgrid
  This function draws a grid on a Nyquist or Bode plot.
• zeros
  Creates a matrix of 0s. For example, zeros(2,2) creates a 2x2 matrix of 0s.
• zeig
  This function calculates the eigenvalues of a matrix.
• zfrexp
  Extracts the mantissa and exponent of a floating-point number.
• zcos
  Calculates the cosine of a complex number.
• zsin
  Calculates the sine of a complex number.
• ztan
  Calculates the tangent of a complex number.
• zcosd
  Computes the cosine of a complex number, but with the angle specified in degrees rather than radians.
• zsind
  Works out the sine of a complex number, but with the angle given in degrees rather than radians.
• ztand
  Finds the tangent of a complex number, but with the angle defined in degrees instead of radians.
• zfrac
  This function calculates the fraction of a number.