The document compares the open source software Scilab to the proprietary software MATLAB. Some key points: 1) Scilab loads much faster than MATLAB and supports multiple instances without performance loss, while MATLAB loading times and running multiple instances is sluggish. 2) MATLAB has a superior GUI with more windows and features, while Scilab's GUI is more basic. 3) MATLAB help is more detailed and descriptive, while Scilab help lacks examples, formatting, and functionality. 4) Both support common mathematical functions similarly but Scilab uses prefixes and workarounds for some. 5) Testing control systems and image processing, Scilab can perform the same operations as