Octave for Microsoft Windows: Difference between revisions

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GNU Octave is primarily developed on GNU/Linux and other POSIX conformal systems. The ports of GNU Octave to Windows use different approaches to get most of the original Octave and adapt it to Microsoft Windows idiosyncrasies (eg: dynamic libraries, file paths, permissions, environment variables, GUI system, etc). Bear this in mind and don't panic if you get unexpected results. There are a lot of suggestions on the mailing lists for tuning your Octave installation.
:''This article is about using pre-built installers of Octave for Windows; for instructions about building it, see [[Windows Installer]].''


About version numbers (March 2011):
{{Note|Windows installers are available for the latest version of '''Octave ({{Release}}, released on {{Release Date}})''' from https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/gnu/octave/windows/.}}
*The 3.4.x are current releases.
*The 3.2.x are previous releases.


=Standalone ports=
Users are encouraged to use the latest version unless a specific feature or requirement that warrants using an older version of the software. Version specific instructions and installation notes are provided below.
==Octave 3.2.4 for Windows MinGW32==


*'''Download:''' http://sourceforge.net/projects/octave/files/Octave_Windows%20-%20MinGW/Octave%203.2.4%20for%20Windows%20MinGW32%20Installer/Octave-3.2.4_i686-pc-mingw32_gcc-4.4.0_setup.exe/download
:'''Note:''' As of version 8.3.0, '''Octave no longer produces or supports 32-bit versions'''. An alternative source for 32-bit Windows binaries of Octave is using [[Octave for Microsoft Windows#GNU Octave in MSYS2|MSYS2]]. 
*'''Maintainer:''' Benjamin Lindner
*'''Latest release:''' 2010-03-25


===Includes===
:'''Note:''' As of version 4.4.1, '''Octave no longer supports Windows XP'''. There may be some workarounds to get Octave installed and running in command line mode (see Bug {{bug|54662}}), but maintainers cannot provide support and troubleshooting for this beyond what has already been documented.


*GNU Octave, version 3.2.4 (i686-pc-mingw32)
=Installers for Microsoft Windows=
*atlas 3.8.2
*mingw32 (GCC 4.4.0 on http://www.mingw.org )
*gnuplot Version 4.4.0 specially prepared for octave
*mini-MSYS 1.0.11
*notepad++ 5.6.7 as text editor
*Some components of octave-forge packages
**actuarial-1.1.0 (New!)
**audio-1.1.4
**benchmark-1.1.1
**bim-1.0.0 (New!)
**bioinfo-0.1.2
**combinatorics-1.0.9
**communications-1.0.10
**control-1.0.11
**data-smoothing-1.2.0
**econometrics-1.0.8
**fenv-0.1.0 (New!)
**financial-0.3.2
**fixed-0.7.10
**fpl-1.0.0 (New!)
**ga-0.9.7
**general-1.2.0 (updated)
**generate_html-0.1.2 (New!)
**gnuplot-1.0.1 (New!)
**gpc-0.1.7
**gsl-1.0.8
**ident-1.0.7
**image-1.0.10
**informationtheory-0.1.8
**integration-1.0.7
**io-1.0.11 (updated)
**irsa-1.0.7
**java-1.2.7 (New!)
**jhandles-0.3.5 (New!)
**linear-algebra-1.0.8
**mapping-1.0.7
**miscellaneous-1.0.9
**missing-functions-1.0.2
**msh-1.0.0 (New!)
**nlwing2-1.1.1 (New!)
**nnet-0.1.10
**nurbs-1.0.3 (New!)
**ocs-0.0.4 (New!)
**oct2mat-1.0.7 (New!)
**octcdf-1.0.17 (updated 1.0.17+)
**octgpr-1.1.5 (New!)
**odebvp-1.0.6
**odepkg-0.6.10 (updated)
**optim-1.0.12 (updated)
**optiminterp-0.3.2
**outliers-0.13.9
**physicalconstants-0.1.7
**plot-1.0.7
**quaternion-1.0.0
**signal-1.0.10
**simp-1.1.0 (New!)
**sockets-1.0.5
**specfun-1.0.8
**special-matrix-1.0.7
**spline-gcvspl-1.0.8 (New!)
**splines-1.0.7
**statistics-1.0.9
**strings-1.0.7
**struct-1.0.7
**symband-1.0.10 (New!)
**symbolic-1.0.9
**time-1.0.9
**video-1.0.2 (New!)
**windows-1.0.8(updated to 1.0.8+)
**zenity-0.5.7


===Notes===
The easiest way to install GNU Octave on Microsoft Windows is by using [http://hg.octave.org/mxe-octave/ MXE] builds.  For the current release, both 32-bit and 64-bit installers and zip archived packages (.zip and .7z formats) can be found at https://octave.org/download under the Windows tab.  
*Although there are some remaining known issues, some bugs reported to the octave-3.2.3 have been corrected. In addition, useful octave-forge packages are added (Java, Jhandles, ....). Please see [http://sourceforge.net/projects/octave/files/Octave_Windows%20-%20MinGW/Octave%203.2.4%20for%20Windows%20MinGW32%20Installer/RELEASE_NOTES-3.2.4.txt/download RELEASE_NOTES.txt] for details:  
*Default Octave install folder changed to e.g. <code>C:\Octave\3.2.4_gcc-4.4.0\</code>.  
*:If you have installed octave in a folder where the path name has whitespace, for example, <code>C:\Program Files\</code>, 'pkg install (package name)' command '''will fail''': See http://sourceforge.net/mailarchive/message.php?msg_name=4A1AF9EF.1000005@hotmail.com for details


'''Additional important topics found after the release:'''
* For executable (.exe) installers: the user can simply run the downloaded file and follow the on-screen installation prompts. It is recommended that the installation path does not include non-ASCII characters. The directory {{Path|%USERPROFILE%\GNU Octave\Octave-X.y.z}} is recommended to ease installing additional packages at a later date.  Shortcuts to the program will be created automatically and the post-install script will be run automatically. But with some systems, you may have to run the {{Path|post-install.bat}} file before running Octave the first time to reduce plot delays due to the Windows font cache and make the pre-installed packages visible to the system.  
*It is reported that the oct2mat octave-forge package affects plot related commands. The purpose of the package is to convert m-file into matlab-compatible coding style. Please see the documentation of the octave-forge (oct2mat - freetb4matlab) from http://octave.sourceforge.net/functions_by_package.php)  
**Report for this problem: http://old.nabble.com/Re:-Octave-3.2.4-mingw32-available-p28053703.html
**Explanation of the problem: http://old.nabble.com/Re:-Octave-3.2.4-mingw32-available-p28090303.html
**Realistic solution at this moment, do not install the oct2mat package when you install octave with octave-forge packages if you do not use this package. Another solution is to execute
      pkg rebuild -noauto oct2mat
::at the octave prompt and then restart octave. The operation results in the oct2mat package not to be auto-loaded in startup. When you want to use oct2mat, execute
      pkg load oct2mat
*The plot octave-forge package still have ginput code although the ginput function is now merge into octave itself. Therefore conflict occur if the plot package is installed. To avoid this problem, rename 'ginput.m' in the folder <code>..\Octave\3.2.4_gcc-4.4.0\share\octave\packages\plot-1.0.7</code>, for example ginput.ob.m. In some computers which has one core CPU, response of ginput is very slow. In the case, modify '__gnuplot_ginput__.m' according to the following thread. http://old.nabble.com/ginput-on-Octave-3.2.4-mingw32-to28093888.html
*From gnuplot-4.4.0, the default terminal of gnuplot for windows is the wxt terminal. Some users may set the GNUTERM environmental variable for the windows terminal being default. The gnuplot for windows allows to set GNUTERM to 'win' (abbreviated form) but octave does not recognize the abbreviated form for terminal name. If one would like set GNUTERM to windows terminal, one should specify it as 'windows' (full form) but not 'win' (abbreviated form). In detail see the following thread: http://old.nabble.com/flicking-problem-again-Octave-3.2.4-mingw32-td28038688.html


==Octave-3.4.2-mingw + octaveforge pkgs==
* For the 7z/zip archives:
#Octave-3.4.2-mingw (without pkgs)
# Extract the file content to a directory on the harddrive (such as {{Path|C:\Octave}}). Spaces or non-ASCII characters in the path are discouraged and may cause program errors.
#:Octave3.4.2_gcc4.5.2_20110914.7z - MD5:4AA0DD4C97F73B2E9E0F7370CD8AD719 - http://www.multiupload.com/TCUHKNNH9S
# Manually create a shortcut to the {{Path|octave-launch.exe}} file in the main installation directory. (Right-click on the file, select 'Create Shortcut', and move the new shortcut to your desired location.)  
#Octaveforge pkgs, built for Octave-3.4.2-mingw
# If a command-line only instance of Octave is desired, the user can create another shortcut as stated above, right-click on the shortcut, select Properties, and add <code>--no-gui</code> to the end of the Target field.
#:Octave3.4.2_gcc4.5.2_pkgs_20111014.7z - MD5:49097AF3C6FC6CDB58EE83F510A50993 - http://www.multiupload.com/DCWFZOUGZA
# IMPORTANT: Run the {{Path|post-install.bat}} file before running Octave the first time to reduce plot delays due to the Windows font cache and make the pre-installed packages visible to the system.
*'''Maintainer:''' Nitzan Arazi
# The exe installer prompts you to choose which Basic Linear Algebra Subprograms (BLAS) library to use, and creates a shortcut to a BLAS switcher program. The 7z/zip archives default to using [https://netlib.org/blas Reference BLAS]. [https://www.openblas.net OpenBLAS] is also available, and may be preferable for certain users. 7z/zip archive users wanting to change their BLAS library can manually run the switcher program located at {{Path|/mingw64/bin/blas_switch.exe}}.
*'''Latest update:''' 2011-10-14
*Packages are archived by the 7zip. The 7zip software can be download from http://www.7-zip.org/


===Includes===
* Note: versions before 7.1.0 used .vbs and .bat files to start Octave.  The {{Path|octave.bat}} file is still available in {{Path|\mingw32\bin}} or {{Path|\mingw64\bin}}, depending on the version of Octave installed, for use cases requiring it for startup.


*GNU Octave, version 3.4.2 (i686-pc-mingw32)
==Octave Packages==
*A new fltk graphics_toolkit is available
Like many software programs, Octave uses ''packages'' to optionally extend and modify its capability. These packages can be installed and loaded using the built in package management program 'pkg'. (Note that Octave does not automatically load installed packages, they must be manually loaded from within Octave by the user.)  
*gnuplot 4.4.3
*fig2dev 3.2.5c
*ghostscript 9.0.2
*PSTOEDIT 3.50
*Msys + MinGW? tool chains
*some Octave-forge packages  
**actuarial-1.1.0
**ad-1.0.6
**audio-1.1.4
**benchmark-1.1.1
**bim-1.0.2 (Updated 2011-10-14)
**bioinfo-0.1.2
**civil-engineering-1.0.7
**communications-1.1.0 (Updated 2011-10-14)
**control-2.2.0 (Updated 2011-10-14)
**data-smoothing-1.2.3 (Updated 2011-10-14)
**dataframe-0.8.2
**econometrics-1.0.8
**fenv-0.1.0
**financial-0.3.2
**fpl-1.2.0
**fuzzy-logic-toolkit-0.2.4 (Updated 2011-10-14)
**ga-0.9.8
**general-1.2.2
**generate_html-0.1.3
**geometry-1.1.3 (added on 2011-10-14)
**gnuplot-1.0.1
**gpc-0.1.7
**gsl-1.0.8
**ident-1.0.7
**image-1.0.15 (Updated 2011-10-14)
**informationtheory-0.1.8
**integration-1.0.7
**io-1.0.15 (Updated 2011-10-14)
**irsa-1.0.7
**java-1.2.8 (Updated 2011-09-07)
**linear-algebra-2.0.0_svn20111014 (Updated 2011-10-14)
**mapping-1.0.7
**mechanics-1.1.0 (added on 2011-10-14)  
**miscellaneous-1.0.11 (Updated 2011-09-14)
**missing-functions-1.0.2
**msh-1.0.2
**multicore-0.2.15
**nlwing2-1.2.0
**nnet-0.1.13
**nurbs-1.3.5 (Updated 2011-10-14)
**ocs-0.1.1
**oct2mat-1.0.7
**octclip-1.0.0
**octgpr-1.2.0
**odebvp-1.0.6
**odepkg-0.8.0
**optim-1.0.16
**optiminterp-0.3.3
**outliers-0.13.9
**physicalconstants-0.1.7
**plot-1.0.8
**quaternion-1.0.0
**secs1d-0.0.8
**secs2d-0.0.8
**secs3d-0.0.1 (added on 2011-10-14)
**signal-1.0.11
**simp-1.1.0
**sockets-1.0.7_svn20111014 (updated 2011-10-14)
**specfun-1.0.9
**special-matrix-1.0.7
**spline-gcvspl-1.0.8
**splines-1.0.7
**statistics-1.0.10
**strings-1.0.7
**struct-1.0.9
**symband-1.0.10
**symbolic-1.0.9
**tcl-octave-0.1.8
**time-1.0.9
**tsa-4.1.1
**video-1.0.2
**vrml-1.0.12_svn20111014_patched (added 2011-10-14)
**windows-1.1.0 (Updated 2011-09-07)
**xraylib-1.0.8
**zenity-0.5.7


===Installation of the Octave package===
Octave maintains a system-wide (or ''global'') package list, and a user-specific (or ''local'') package list. By default in Windows 10, local packages are located at {{Path|C:\Users\%USERNAME%\octave\}}. (The \octave folder will be created during the first package install\update if it is not already present.)  The global packages are stored in {{Path|%OCTAVE_HOME%\mingw64\share\octave\packages\}}, and are available to all users on the machine. Specific locations on your system can be found by typing the following commands at the Octave command line:
*Read readme.txt in Octave3.4.2_gcc4.5.2_20110914.7z
*Unzip to a directory which doesn't have space chars i.e. <code>C:\Octave\Octave3.4.2_gcc4.5.2\</code> keeping the directory structure in the archive.
*Copy octave.lnk to any convenient location and edit its properties respectively to point to octave.exe and octave.ico.


===Installation of the Octave-forge packages===
    >> pkg local_list
*Read <code>Octave3.4.2_gcc4.5.2_pkgs_readme.txt</code>, <code>Octave3.4.2_gcc4.5.2_pkgs_changes.txt</code> in <code>Octave3.4.2_gcc4.5.2_pkgs_20110914.7z</code>.
    >> pkg global_list
*In order to update octave_packages database and auto-load most packages (excluding 'ad' and 'windows' which may crash octave when loaded and 'clear all' is executed), launch Octave and execute:


        pkg rebuild -auto
Octave versions for Windows prior to 6.1.0 defaulted to always making changes to global packages unless the user specified otherwise.  The default is now to follow the same behavior on all platforms, and for all package updates and installations to apply to local or global package locations according to whether or not the user is running with Administrative privileges (on Windows, this is usually accomplished by running as an Administrator privileged account, or starting Octave with the "Run as Administrator" option).  Alternatively, some pkg command options can force octave to try to use either the local or global packages.
        pkg rebuild -noauto ad windows


*You can adjust your installed packages status per your specific needs and usage by executing one of the following commands:
===Pre-installed Packages===
*To interactively load or unload a package
        pkg load <pkg_name>
        pkg unload <pkg_name>
*To disable auto-load for specific pkg <pkg_name>
        pkg rebuild -noauto <pkg_name>
*To enable auto-load for specific pkg <pkg_name>
        pkg rebuild -auto <pkg_name>
*To completely uninstall a package
        pkg uninstall <pkg_name>     


===Notes===
A selection of pre-built, [[Octave Forge]] packages is included with all versions of the official Windows release. If you followed the installation directions above, you can display a list of packages by typing the command below at the Octave command prompt:
*For details, please see http://old.nabble.com/Octave-3.4.2-mingw-%2B-octaveforge-pkgs-to32394771.html
*This archive doesn't contain any editor! In order to install Notepad++ (recommended) as an editor:
**download the installation package from http://notepad-plus-plus.org/
**install, edit <code><your octave dir>\share\octave\site\m\startup\octaverc</code>
**un-comment the line which sets octave default editor:
    EDITOR('C:\\Program Files\\Notepad++\\notepad++.exe');
*Octave Binaries are built by Tatsuro Matsuoka (http://www.tatsuromatsuoka.com/octave/Eng/Win/)
*Octave manual (<code>octave-3.4.2.pdf.zip, octave-3.4.2.html.zip</code>) can be downloaded from http://www.tatsuromatsuoka.com/octave/Eng/Win/


==Octave-3.4.3-mingw + octaveforge pkgs==
  >> pkg list


#Octave-3.4.3-mingw (without pkgs)
The output for preinstalled global packages included with version 7.1.0 when installed into {{Path|C:\Octave}} is:
#: Octave3.4.3_gcc4.5.2_20111025.7z - MD5:5AA004D933E000E762AE2AE95573ACBD - http://www.multiupload.com/KDQ1N463UW
#Octaveforge pkgs, built for Octave-3.4.3-mingw
#: Octave3.4.3_gcc4.5.2_pkgs_20111026.7z - MD5:2987F6078B4AD161F2D23634D5109D61 - http://www.multiupload.com/7U6J23CSZ6
*'''Maintainer:''' Nitzan Arazi
*'''Latest update:''' 2011-10-26
*Packages are archived by 7zip. 7zip software can be download from http://www.7-zip.org/


===Includes===
    Package Name        | Version | Installation directory
    ---------------------+---------+-----------------------
                  audio  |  2.0.4 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\audio-2.0.4
                biosig  |  2.4.0 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\audio-2.4.0
        communications  |  1.2.4 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\communications-1.2.4
                control  |  3.4.0 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\control-3.4.0
        data-smoothing  |  1.3.0 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\data-smoothing-1.3.0
              database  |  2.4.4 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\database-2.4.4
              dataframe  |  1.2.0 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\dataframe-1.2.0
                  dicom  |  0.4.1 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\dicom-0.4.1
              financial  |  0.5.3 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\financial-0.5.3
                  fits  |  1.0.7 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\fits-1.0.7
    fuzzy-logic-toolkit  |  0.4.6 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\fuzzy-logic-toolkit-0.4.6
                    ga  |  0.10.3 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\ga-0.10.3
                general  |  2.1.2 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\general-2.1.2
          generate_html  |  0.3.2 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\generate_html-0.3.2
              geometry  |  4.0.0 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\geometry-4.0.0
                    gsl  |  2.1.1 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\gsl-2.1.1
                  image  |  2.14.0 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\image-2.14.0
    instrument-control  |  0.7.1 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\instrument-control-0.7.1
              interval  |  3.2.1 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\interval-3.2.1
                    io  |  2.6.4 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\io-2.6.4
        linear-algebra  |  2.2.3 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\linear-algebra-2.2.3
                  lssa  |  0.1.4 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\lssa-0.1.4
                  ltfat  |  2.3.1 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\ltfat-2.3.1
                mapping  |  1.4.2 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\mapping-1.4.2
                matgeom  |  1.2.3 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\matgeom-1.2.3
          miscellaneous  |  1.3.0 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\miscellaneous-1.3.0
                    nan  |  3.6.1 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\nan-3.6.1
                netcdf  |  1.0.14 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\netcdf-1.0.14
                  nurbs  |  1.4.3 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\nurbs-1.4.3
                    ocs  |  0.1.5 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\ocs-0.1.5
                octproj  |  2.0.1 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\octproj-2.0.1
                  optim  |  1.6.1 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\optim-1.6.1
            optiminterp  |  0.3.7 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\optiminterp-0.3.7
            quaternion  |  2.4.0 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\quaternion-2.4.0
              queueing  |  1.2.7 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\queueing-1.2.7
                signal  |  1.4.1 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\signal-1.4.1
                sockets  |  1.3.0 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\sockets-1.3.0
              sparsersb  |  1.0.9 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\sparsersb-1.0.9
                splines  |  1.3.4 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\splines-1.3.4
            statistics  |  1.4.3 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\statistics-1.4.3
                    stk  |  2.7.0 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\stk-2.7.0
                strings  |  1.2.0 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\strings-1.2.0
                struct  |  1.0.17 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\struct-1.0.17
              symbolic  |  2.9.0 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\symbolic-2.9.0
                tisean  |  0.2.3 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\tisean-0.2.3
                    tsa  |  4.6.3 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\tsa-4.6.3
                  video  |  2.0.2 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\video-2.0.2
                windows  |  1.6.2 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\windows-1.6.2
                zeromq  |  1.5.3 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\zeromq-1.5.3
                                                                                         
Note that the included packages shown above are stored in the default ''global package location'' within the Octave installation folder.  If any 'local' packages were previously installed with another version of windows, they might also appear in the list at the local location.  It is recommended that any such packages be uninstalled and reinstalled to guarantee compatibility with the current version of octave.
 
If Octave was installed from a zip or 7z archive and you did not run the {{Path|post-install.bat}} file, you may not see any packages listed.  In that case you need to run:
 
  >> pkg rebuild
 
That will force octave to look for both ''local'' and ''global'' packages in the set locations to repopulate the list of available packages.  Note that  'local' packages always take precedence if the same package is present in both locations.
 
'''Note''': The Windows bundle includes a minimal version of Python for the symbolic package. That version of Python is not intended to be used for anything else. If you like to use Python for something different in Octave (e.g., for the pythonic package), install a full Python distribution and set the necessary environment variables (PYTHON, ...?).
 
===Package Installation and Update===
 
All packages can be updated to the latest version by running:
 
  >> pkg update
 
Other packages can be installed by running:
 
  >> pkg install -forge <package_name>
 
To install a new or updated package version manually, the package file can be downloaded from the [https://octave.sourceforge.io/packages.php Octave Forge website] to the working directory and can be installed using:
 
  >> pkg install package_file_name.tar.gz


*GNU Octave, version 3.4.3 (i686-pc-mingw32)
Note that all of the commands above will perform ''local'' or ''global'' package installs according to the user's Administrator access level.  E.g., if an update is found for a global package with a non-elevated user account, the updated version will be installed to the ''local'' package location, leaving the old version intact in the ''global'' package location. This behavior can be changed by calling the install command with the {{Path|-global}} option. As of Octave 7.1.0 the {{Path|-global}} option also works with the {{Path|pkg update}} command. For example:
*A new fltk graphics_toolkit is available
*gnuplot 4.4.3
*fig2dev 3.2.5c
*ghostscript 9.0.2
*PSTOEDIT 3.50
*Msys + MinGW? tool chains
*PDF and html documentation
*some Octave-forge packages
**actuarial-1.1.0
**ad-1.0.6
**audio-1.1.4
**benchmark-1.1.1
**bim-1.0.2
**bioinfo-0.1.2
**civil-engineering-1.0.7
**combinatorics-1.0.9
**communications-1.1.0_patched
**control-2.2.0
**data-smoothing-1.2.3
**dataframe-0.8.2
**econometrics-1.0.8
**fenv-0.1.0
**financial-0.3.2
**fpl-1.2.0
**fuzzy-logic-toolkit-0.2.4
**ga-0.9.8
**general-1.2.2
**generate_html-0.1.3
**geometry-1.2.0
**gnuplot-1.0.1
**gpc-0.1.7
**gsl-1.0.8
**ident-1.0.7
**image-1.0.15
**informationtheory-0.1.8
**integration-1.0.7
**io-1.0.15 + supporting java jars
**irsa-1.0.7
**java-1.2.8_patched + java.opts file
**linear-algebra-2.0.0_svn20111014
**mapping-1.0.7
**mechanics-1.1.0
**miscellaneous-1.0.11_svn20110912
**missing-functions-1.0.2
**msh-1.0.2
**multicore-0.2.15
**nlwing2-1.2.0
**nnet-0.1.13
**nurbs-1.3.5
**ocs-0.1.1_patched
**octclip-1.0.0
**octgpr-1.2.0
**odebvp-1.0.6
**odepkg-0.8.0
**optim-1.0.16
**optiminterp-0.3.3
**outliers-0.13.9
**physicalconstants-0.1.7
**plot-1.0.8
**quaternion-1.0.0
**secs1d-0.0.8
**secs2d-0.0.8
**secs3d-0.0.1
**signal-1.0.11
**simp-1.1.0
**sockets-1.0.7_svn20111014
**specfun-1.0.9
**special-matrix-1.0.7  
**spline-gcvspl-1.0.8
**splines-1.0.7
**statistics-1.0.10
**strings-1.0.7
**struct-1.0.9
**symband-1.0.10
**symbolic-1.1.0
**tcl-octave-0.1.8
**time-1.0.9
**tsa-4.1.1
**video-1.0.2_patched
**vrml-1.0.12_svn20111014_patched
**windows-1.1.0
**xraylib-1.0.8
**zenity-0.5.7


===Installation of the Octave package===
  >> pkg install -forge -global <package_name>


*Read <code>readme.txt</code> in <code>Octave3.4.3_gcc4.5.2_20111025.7z</code>
  >> pkg update -global
*Unzip to a directory which doesn't have space chars i.e. <code>C:\Octave\Octave3.4.3_gcc4.5.2\</code> keeping the directory structure in the archive.
*Copy <code>octave3.4.3_gcc4.5.2.lnk</code> to any convenient location and edit its properties respectively to point to <code>bin\octave.exe</code> and <code>share\octave\3.4.3\imagelib\octave-logo.ico</code>.
*Copy <code>octave3.4.3_gcc4.5.2_docs.lnk<code> to any convenient location and edit its properties respectively to point to <code>doc\octave</code> and <code>share\octave\3.4.3\imagelib\octave-logo.ico</code>.


===Installation of the Octave-forge packages===
Detailed instructions for installing individual Octave Forge packages are given at https://octave.sourceforge.io/packages.php.


*Read <code>Octave3.4.3_gcc4.5.2_pkgs_readme.txt</code> in <code>Octave3.4.3_gcc4.5.2_pkgs_20111026.7z</code>.
=GNU Octave in MSYS2=
*In order to update octave_packages database and auto-load most packages (excluding 'ad' and 'windows' which may crash octave when loaded and 'clear all' is executed), launch Octave and execute:
        pkg rebuild -auto
        pkg rebuild -noauto ad windows
        pkg rebuild -auto java


*Last pkg rebuild command is required in order for the java pkg entry to be moved to the top of share\octave\octave_packages db file - thus java pkg is loaded before io pkg is loaded, and io pkg related jars are added to java class path.
[https://www.msys2.org/ MSYS2] is a collection of tools and libraries providing an easy-to-use environment for building, installing and running native Windows software. GNU Octave is available as a [https://packages.msys2.org/base/mingw-w64-octave package] in MSYS2.
*You can adjust your installed packages status per your specific needs and usage by executing one of the following commands:
*To interactively load or unload a package
        pkg load <pkg_name>
        pkg unload <pkg_name>
*To disable auto-load for specific pkg <pkg_name>
        pkg rebuild -noauto <pkg_name>
*To enable auto-load for specific pkg <pkg_name>
        pkg rebuild -auto <pkg_name>
*To completely uninstall a package
        pkg uninstall <pkg_name>     


===Notes===
The best (and recommended) way to use Octave on Windows is to use the provided installers (see above). But for some special requirements, the version of Octave packaged by MSYS2 might be the better solution. Those special requirements might include:
*This archive doesn't contain any editor! In order to install Notepad++ (recommended) as an editor:  
* Users might want to use e.g. Octave packages that depend on third party packages not included in MXE Octave (e.g., the Pythonic package that depends on a native Windows Python installation).
**download the installation package from http://notepad-plus-plus.org/
* Users might need features of newer versions of packages than which are included in MXE Octave.
**install, edit <code><your octave dir>\share\octave\site\m\startup\octaverc</code>
* ...
**un-comment the line which sets octave default editor:
    EDITOR('C:\\Program Files\\Notepad++\\notepad++.exe');


Octave Binaries are built using Tatsuro Matsuka OctaveLibs.zip and gplibs.zip (http://www.tatsuromatsuoka.com/octave/Eng/Win/)
MSYS2 follows a rolling release cycle. So, its packages are most likely more up-to-date than the packages included in Octave's installer for Windows.
It includes a (working) package manager (<code>pacman</code>) that provides the option to install a much wider range of packages than what can possibly be included in Octave's installer for Windows.


=Octave on Cygwin=
To use Octave in MSYS2, install the MSYS2 environment following [https://www.msys2.org/#installation their instructions]. At the <code>bash</code> shell (use e.g. "MSYS2 MinGW 64-bit" from the start menu), update the installation by <code>pacman -Syu</code>. After that, install a version of Octave that matches your environment (and the shell you are using), e.g. <code>pacman -S mingw-w64-x86_64-octave</code>.
== Octave 3.4.2 on cygwin==
 
This will install (among others), the main executables of Octave <code>octave-gui</code> (linked with Qt, i.e., including the "qt" graphics toolkit and the GUI), <code>octave-cli</code> (linked without Qt, i.e., only "fltk" and "gnuplot" graphics toolkits and no GUI), and the wrapper executable <code>octave</code> that dispatches to one of the former executables depending on the used command line switches. The Octave GUI can be started with <code>octave --gui</code> from MSYS2's <code>bash</code> shell, the command line interface (CLI) with <code>octave</code>.
 
=GNU Octave on [https://cygwin.com/ cygwin]=


*'''Web-Site:''' http://cygwin.com
*'''Maintainer:''' Marco Atzeri  
*'''Maintainer:''' Marco Atzeri  
*'''Latest release:''' 2011-10-03
*'''Latest release:''' 2024-01-66


*octave 3.4.2-3
*Latest packages:
*octave-forge packages octave-forge-20110730-1
*Please select them in Math category in the cygwin setup (using setup.exe).
*:On Cygwin 1.7.9-1 the communication between octave and gnuplot is broken due to a cygwin bug. Please use a cygwin snapshot or 1.7.8-1 until cygwin-1.7.10-1 is released. Cygwin 1.7.8-1 is reported to currently work, but snapshots have notable performance improvements, so they are recommended.


===Notes===
:octave-8.4.0-1
*To install a cygwin snapshot:
:Its announce on cygwin mailing list [https://cygwin.com/pipermail/cygwin-announce/2024-January/011503.html]
**download <code>cygwin1-20111020.dll.bz2</code> (current last) from http://cygwin.com/snapshots/
 
    bunzip2 cygwin1-20111020.dll.bz2
:Most of the Octave Forge packages have each a cygwin package.
    cp cygwin1-20111020.dll cygwin1.dll
: Full cygwin package list is available here [https://cygwin.com/packages/]
    cp /bin/cygwin1.dll /bin/cygwin1.dll_backup
: At 2024-01-26, 51 forge packages were available.  
 
**exit all cygwin processes and from windows explorer
*To install :
**copy the cygwin1.dll snapshot to
:  run  setup-x86_64.exe (for cygwin 64 bit) and select them in the Math category.  
    c:\cygwin\bin
: All the package dependencies will be also installed.
    (or in the equivalent directory of your cygwin installation).
 
*Graphics is based on X, so to plot you need to start octave within xterm (or similar).
:Graphics is based on X and to plot you will need to start octave within xterm (or similar).
*A new fltk graphics_toolkit is available, and the crash on "print" issue was solved on 3.4.2-3 using the patch proposed here: https://savannah.gnu.org/bugs/index.php?31641
:  I recommend to install "xinit", "xlaunch" and "gnuplot". These packages will pull all the functional Xserver.
:  Otherwise the only graphics will be ASCII art ;-)
 
==Notes for cygwin==
 
* To build GNU Octave from cygwin source package, you need to install "cygport" and the relevant development libraries
:<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
tar -xf octave-8.4.0-1-src.tar.xz
cygport octave.cygport almostall
</syntaxhighlight>
:see cygport documentation at /usr/share/doc/cygport/html/manual/toc_index.html for further info.


*If a dlls collision arise, the correct invocation of the rebase utility within dash shell is:
=General info=
    rebaseall -s "dll|so|oct"
:as octave dll's use unexpected ".oct" suffix for its own extension.
*For general build notes, see <code>etc/README.Cygwin</code>.
*When building from development source (default branch)
    "make check"
:passes almost all the tests.
:Only, and not substantial, failures are:
    /pub/hg/octave/src/data.cc : 8 failures due to different handling of complex Inf on sort
    /pub/hg/octave/src/syscalls.cc: 1 failure on fork. This disappears when octave is installed
    /pub/hg/octave/scripts/sparse/svds.m: 1 failure due to test sensitivity on starting point. See
    https://mailman.cae.wisc.edu/pipermail/octave-maintainers/2011-September/024715.html


*To build from cygwin source package, you need to install "cygport" and the relevant development libraries
Be advised that GNU Octave is primarily developed on GNU/Linux and other [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/POSIX POSIX] conform systems. The ports of GNU Octave to Microsoft Windows use different approaches to get most of the original Octave and adapt it to Microsoft Windows idiosyncrasies (e.g. dynamic libraries, file paths, permissions, environment variables, GUI system, etc). Bear this in mind and don't panic if you get unexpected results. There are a lot of suggestions on the mailing lists for tuning your Octave installation. GNU Octave standalone ports for Windows are independently compiled using either the [http://mingw.org MinGW] or Microsoft Visual Studio development environments (3.6 or before).
    $ tar -xvjf octave-3.4.2-3-src.tar.bz2
    gl2ps-print.patch
    octave-3.4.2-3.cygport
    octave-3.4.2-3.cygwin.patch
    octave-3.4.2-3.src.patch
    octave-3.4.2.tar.bz2


    $ cygport octave-3.4.2-3.cygport almostall
=See also=


:see cygport documentation for further info.
* [[Octave for Microsoft Windows (outdated)]] for older instructions.


*currently octave depends on the following packages
[[Category:Installation]]
**libgcc1-4.5.3-2
[[Category:Building]]
**libgfortran3-4.5.3-2
[[Category:Microsoft Windows]]
**libstdc++6-4.5.3-2
**liblapack0-3.2.2-2
**libreadline7-6.1.2-2
**libfftw3_3-3.3-1
**libqrupdate0-1.1.1-1
**libGL1-7.10.3-1
**zlib0-1.2.5-1
**libfontconfig1-2.8.0-1
**libhdf5_6-1.8.6-1

Latest revision as of 04:46, 26 January 2024

This article is about using pre-built installers of Octave for Windows; for instructions about building it, see Windows Installer.
Info icon.svg
Windows installers are available for the latest version of Octave (9.1.0, released on March 14, 2024) from https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/gnu/octave/windows/.

Users are encouraged to use the latest version unless a specific feature or requirement that warrants using an older version of the software. Version specific instructions and installation notes are provided below.

Note: As of version 8.3.0, Octave no longer produces or supports 32-bit versions. An alternative source for 32-bit Windows binaries of Octave is using MSYS2.
Note: As of version 4.4.1, Octave no longer supports Windows XP. There may be some workarounds to get Octave installed and running in command line mode (see Bug #54662), but maintainers cannot provide support and troubleshooting for this beyond what has already been documented.

Installers for Microsoft Windows[edit]

The easiest way to install GNU Octave on Microsoft Windows is by using MXE builds. For the current release, both 32-bit and 64-bit installers and zip archived packages (.zip and .7z formats) can be found at https://octave.org/download under the Windows tab.

  • For executable (.exe) installers: the user can simply run the downloaded file and follow the on-screen installation prompts. It is recommended that the installation path does not include non-ASCII characters. The directory %USERPROFILE%\GNU Octave\Octave-X.y.z is recommended to ease installing additional packages at a later date. Shortcuts to the program will be created automatically and the post-install script will be run automatically. But with some systems, you may have to run the post-install.bat file before running Octave the first time to reduce plot delays due to the Windows font cache and make the pre-installed packages visible to the system.
  • For the 7z/zip archives:
  1. Extract the file content to a directory on the harddrive (such as C:\Octave). Spaces or non-ASCII characters in the path are discouraged and may cause program errors.
  2. Manually create a shortcut to the octave-launch.exe file in the main installation directory. (Right-click on the file, select 'Create Shortcut', and move the new shortcut to your desired location.)
  3. If a command-line only instance of Octave is desired, the user can create another shortcut as stated above, right-click on the shortcut, select Properties, and add --no-gui to the end of the Target field.
  4. IMPORTANT: Run the post-install.bat file before running Octave the first time to reduce plot delays due to the Windows font cache and make the pre-installed packages visible to the system.
  5. The exe installer prompts you to choose which Basic Linear Algebra Subprograms (BLAS) library to use, and creates a shortcut to a BLAS switcher program. The 7z/zip archives default to using Reference BLAS. OpenBLAS is also available, and may be preferable for certain users. 7z/zip archive users wanting to change their BLAS library can manually run the switcher program located at /mingw64/bin/blas_switch.exe.
  • Note: versions before 7.1.0 used .vbs and .bat files to start Octave. The octave.bat file is still available in \mingw32\bin or \mingw64\bin, depending on the version of Octave installed, for use cases requiring it for startup.

Octave Packages[edit]

Like many software programs, Octave uses packages to optionally extend and modify its capability. These packages can be installed and loaded using the built in package management program 'pkg'. (Note that Octave does not automatically load installed packages, they must be manually loaded from within Octave by the user.)

Octave maintains a system-wide (or global) package list, and a user-specific (or local) package list. By default in Windows 10, local packages are located at C:\Users\%USERNAME%\octave\. (The \octave folder will be created during the first package install\update if it is not already present.) The global packages are stored in %OCTAVE_HOME%\mingw64\share\octave\packages\, and are available to all users on the machine. Specific locations on your system can be found by typing the following commands at the Octave command line: 

   >> pkg local_list
   >> pkg global_list

Octave versions for Windows prior to 6.1.0 defaulted to always making changes to global packages unless the user specified otherwise. The default is now to follow the same behavior on all platforms, and for all package updates and installations to apply to local or global package locations according to whether or not the user is running with Administrative privileges (on Windows, this is usually accomplished by running as an Administrator privileged account, or starting Octave with the "Run as Administrator" option). Alternatively, some pkg command options can force octave to try to use either the local or global packages.

Pre-installed Packages[edit]

A selection of pre-built, Octave Forge packages is included with all versions of the official Windows release. If you followed the installation directions above, you can display a list of packages by typing the command below at the Octave command prompt: 

  >> pkg list

The output for preinstalled global packages included with version 7.1.0 when installed into C:\Octave is: 

   Package Name         | Version | Installation directory
   ---------------------+---------+-----------------------
                 audio  |   2.0.4 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\audio-2.0.4
                biosig  |   2.4.0 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\audio-2.4.0
        communications  |   1.2.4 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\communications-1.2.4
               control  |   3.4.0 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\control-3.4.0
        data-smoothing  |   1.3.0 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\data-smoothing-1.3.0
              database  |   2.4.4 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\database-2.4.4
             dataframe  |   1.2.0 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\dataframe-1.2.0
                 dicom  |   0.4.1 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\dicom-0.4.1
             financial  |   0.5.3 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\financial-0.5.3
                  fits  |   1.0.7 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\fits-1.0.7
   fuzzy-logic-toolkit  |   0.4.6 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\fuzzy-logic-toolkit-0.4.6
                    ga  |  0.10.3 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\ga-0.10.3
               general  |   2.1.2 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\general-2.1.2
         generate_html  |   0.3.2 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\generate_html-0.3.2
              geometry  |   4.0.0 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\geometry-4.0.0
                   gsl  |   2.1.1 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\gsl-2.1.1
                 image  |  2.14.0 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\image-2.14.0
    instrument-control  |   0.7.1 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\instrument-control-0.7.1
              interval  |   3.2.1 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\interval-3.2.1
                    io  |   2.6.4 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\io-2.6.4
        linear-algebra  |   2.2.3 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\linear-algebra-2.2.3
                  lssa  |   0.1.4 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\lssa-0.1.4
                 ltfat  |   2.3.1 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\ltfat-2.3.1
               mapping  |   1.4.2 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\mapping-1.4.2
               matgeom  |   1.2.3 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\matgeom-1.2.3
         miscellaneous  |   1.3.0 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\miscellaneous-1.3.0
                   nan  |   3.6.1 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\nan-3.6.1
                netcdf  |  1.0.14 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\netcdf-1.0.14
                 nurbs  |   1.4.3 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\nurbs-1.4.3
                   ocs  |   0.1.5 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\ocs-0.1.5
               octproj  |   2.0.1 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\octproj-2.0.1
                 optim  |   1.6.1 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\optim-1.6.1
           optiminterp  |   0.3.7 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\optiminterp-0.3.7
            quaternion  |   2.4.0 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\quaternion-2.4.0
              queueing  |   1.2.7 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\queueing-1.2.7
                signal  |   1.4.1 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\signal-1.4.1
               sockets  |   1.3.0 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\sockets-1.3.0
             sparsersb  |   1.0.9 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\sparsersb-1.0.9
               splines  |   1.3.4 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\splines-1.3.4
            statistics  |   1.4.3 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\statistics-1.4.3
                   stk  |   2.7.0 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\stk-2.7.0
               strings  |   1.2.0 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\strings-1.2.0
                struct  |  1.0.17 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\struct-1.0.17
              symbolic  |   2.9.0 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\symbolic-2.9.0
                tisean  |   0.2.3 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\tisean-0.2.3
                   tsa  |   4.6.3 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\tsa-4.6.3
                 video  |   2.0.2 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\video-2.0.2
               windows  |   1.6.2 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\windows-1.6.2
                zeromq  |   1.5.3 | C:\Octave\octave-7.1.0-w64\mingw64\share\octave\packages\zeromq-1.5.3

Note that the included packages shown above are stored in the default global package location within the Octave installation folder. If any 'local' packages were previously installed with another version of windows, they might also appear in the list at the local location. It is recommended that any such packages be uninstalled and reinstalled to guarantee compatibility with the current version of octave.

If Octave was installed from a zip or 7z archive and you did not run the post-install.bat file, you may not see any packages listed. In that case you need to run: 

  >> pkg rebuild

That will force octave to look for both local and global packages in the set locations to repopulate the list of available packages. Note that 'local' packages always take precedence if the same package is present in both locations.

Note: The Windows bundle includes a minimal version of Python for the symbolic package. That version of Python is not intended to be used for anything else. If you like to use Python for something different in Octave (e.g., for the pythonic package), install a full Python distribution and set the necessary environment variables (PYTHON, ...?).

Package Installation and Update[edit]

All packages can be updated to the latest version by running: 

  >> pkg update

Other packages can be installed by running: 

  >> pkg install -forge <package_name>

To install a new or updated package version manually, the package file can be downloaded from the Octave Forge website to the working directory and can be installed using: 

  >> pkg install package_file_name.tar.gz

Note that all of the commands above will perform local or global package installs according to the user's Administrator access level. E.g., if an update is found for a global package with a non-elevated user account, the updated version will be installed to the local package location, leaving the old version intact in the global package location. This behavior can be changed by calling the install command with the -global option. As of Octave 7.1.0 the -global option also works with the pkg update command. For example: 

  >> pkg install -forge -global <package_name>

  >> pkg update -global

Detailed instructions for installing individual Octave Forge packages are given at https://octave.sourceforge.io/packages.php.

GNU Octave in MSYS2[edit]

MSYS2 is a collection of tools and libraries providing an easy-to-use environment for building, installing and running native Windows software. GNU Octave is available as a package in MSYS2.

The best (and recommended) way to use Octave on Windows is to use the provided installers (see above). But for some special requirements, the version of Octave packaged by MSYS2 might be the better solution. Those special requirements might include:

  • Users might want to use e.g. Octave packages that depend on third party packages not included in MXE Octave (e.g., the Pythonic package that depends on a native Windows Python installation).
  • Users might need features of newer versions of packages than which are included in MXE Octave.
  • ...

MSYS2 follows a rolling release cycle. So, its packages are most likely more up-to-date than the packages included in Octave's installer for Windows. It includes a (working) package manager (pacman) that provides the option to install a much wider range of packages than what can possibly be included in Octave's installer for Windows.

To use Octave in MSYS2, install the MSYS2 environment following their instructions. At the bash shell (use e.g. "MSYS2 MinGW 64-bit" from the start menu), update the installation by pacman -Syu. After that, install a version of Octave that matches your environment (and the shell you are using), e.g. pacman -S mingw-w64-x86_64-octave.

This will install (among others), the main executables of Octave octave-gui (linked with Qt, i.e., including the "qt" graphics toolkit and the GUI), octave-cli (linked without Qt, i.e., only "fltk" and "gnuplot" graphics toolkits and no GUI), and the wrapper executable octave that dispatches to one of the former executables depending on the used command line switches. The Octave GUI can be started with octave --gui from MSYS2's bash shell, the command line interface (CLI) with octave.

GNU Octave on cygwin[edit]

  • Maintainer: Marco Atzeri
  • Latest release: 2024-01-66
  • Latest packages:
octave-8.4.0-1
Its announce on cygwin mailing list [1]
Most of the Octave Forge packages have each a cygwin package.
Full cygwin package list is available here [2]
At 2024-01-26, 51 forge packages were available.
  • To install :
run setup-x86_64.exe (for cygwin 64 bit) and select them in the Math category.
All the package dependencies will be also installed.
Graphics is based on X and to plot you will need to start octave within xterm (or similar).
I recommend to install "xinit", "xlaunch" and "gnuplot". These packages will pull all the functional Xserver.
Otherwise the only graphics will be ASCII art ;-)

Notes for cygwin[edit]

  • To build GNU Octave from cygwin source package, you need to install "cygport" and the relevant development libraries
tar -xf octave-8.4.0-1-src.tar.xz 
cygport octave.cygport almostall
see cygport documentation at /usr/share/doc/cygport/html/manual/toc_index.html for further info.

General info[edit]

Be advised that GNU Octave is primarily developed on GNU/Linux and other POSIX conform systems. The ports of GNU Octave to Microsoft Windows use different approaches to get most of the original Octave and adapt it to Microsoft Windows idiosyncrasies (e.g. dynamic libraries, file paths, permissions, environment variables, GUI system, etc). Bear this in mind and don't panic if you get unexpected results. There are a lot of suggestions on the mailing lists for tuning your Octave installation. GNU Octave standalone ports for Windows are independently compiled using either the MinGW or Microsoft Visual Studio development environments (3.6 or before).

See also[edit]

Retrieved from "https://wiki.octave.org/wiki/index.php?title=Octave_for_Microsoft_Windows&oldid=15050"