Statistical Tools

R - open source version of S supplied under GNU license. Usage has grown from the academic sector to industry and is now widely used. R is actually a programming language with excellent statistical routines. Because it is a programming language it is highly extensible and adaptable. (www.r-project.org)

Statistica - Good VB-based tool for graphics, reporting, and a limited range of statistical algorithms. Modular based system which some see as an advantage in that users can purchase what they need. Other users however can find it confusing as to what parts of the package are required. (www.statsoft.com)

SAS - the best known and most widely used statistical tool in the market. Characterized by inflexible language and programming, and some poor graphics but has excellent data manipulation abilities, well respected statistical routines and is often well liked by users.(www.sas.com)

Matlab - Developed in the 1980s. Excellent mathematical tool widely used in engineering and scientific functions. Much liked by it's users. Matlab lacks statistical depth although this is not the primary aim of the tool. Easy to compile as applications for distribution to non mathematical users. (www.themathworks.com)

S-PLUS - Provided by Insightful, S-PLUS is an excellent statistical tool for intuitive statistical analysis. Developed in the late 1970s at A,T&T Bell Labs the product is based on "S" which is an object oriented programming environment. With over 4,000 functions S-PLUS can be easily extended. (www.insightful.com)