FEATool Multiphysics vs. LiveLink for MATLAB vs. Python vs. pexpect Comparison Chart

Seamlessly integrate COMSOL Multiphysics® with MATLAB® to extend your modeling with scripting programming in the MATLAB environment. LiveLink™ for MATLAB® allows you to utilize the full power of MATLAB and its toolboxes in preprocessing, model manipulation, and postprocessing. Enhance your in-house MATLAB code with powerful multiphysics simulations. Base your geometry modeling on probabilistic or image data. Use multiphysics models together with Monte Carlo simulations and genetic algorithms. Export COMSOL models on state-space matrix format for incorporating into control systems. Interface in the COMSOL Desktop® environment enables the use of MATLAB® functions while modeling. Manipulate your models from the command line or script to parameterize the geometry, physics, or the solution scheme.

Pexpect makes Python a better tool for controlling other applications. Pexpect is a pure Python module for spawning child applications; controlling them, and responding to expected patterns in their output. Pexpect works like Don Libes’ Expect. Pexpect allows your script to spawn a child application and control it as if a human were typing commands. Pexpect can be used for automating interactive applications such as ssh, FTP, passwd, telnet, etc. It can be used to automate setup scripts for duplicating software package installations on different servers. It can be used for automated software testing. Pexpect is in the spirit of Don Libes’ Expect, but Pexpect is pure Python. Unlike other Expect-like modules for Python, Pexpect does not require TCL or Expect nor does it require C extensions to be compiled. It should work on any platform that supports the standard Python pty module. The Pexpect interface was designed to be easy to use.