Instalilng and running Scilab 4.1.1

[thirdrock]

I am having trouble opening scilab 4.1.1.

I downloaded scilab 4.1.1 from scilab.org.
I then did ran make command which installed scilab. After that I typed scilab, but I got an error saying scilab is currently not installed. Can someone help me ?

This is what I did:


~/programs/scilab-4.1.1$ make
Humm... this is a binary version
make[1]: Entering directory `/home/chetan/.Trash/scilab-4.1.1/scripts'
make[1]: Nothing to be done for `all'.
make[1]: Leaving directory `/home/chetan/.Trash/scilab-4.1.1/scripts'
Installation done

~/programs/scilab-4.1.1$ scilab
The program 'scilab' is currently not installed. You can install it by typing:
sudo apt-get install scilab
Make sure you have the 'multiverse' component enabled
bash: scilab: command not found

[xadder]

This may be too obvious, but did you have to set your $PATH to find the new scliab binaries?

[splintercellguy]

Don't you have to do ./configure? What does INSTALL/README say?

[thirdrock]

Thanks a lot for your replies.

@xadder:
I forgot to mention that I am very new to ubuntu / linux. How do I set $PATH?

@splintercellguy:
The readme file says the following (I have also attached the entire readme file).


************************************************** ****************************
III - TO RUN SCILAB
*******************

Run Scilab by executing "scilab" (shell script in bin).

If the name of the directory of Scilab distribution is not the same on
your machine than on the machine where Scilab was installed, copy the
bin/scilab script file somewhere, set its execution rights on, edit
it to modify the environment variable SCI definition (it should give
the pathname to the directory of Scilab distribution) and use this
modified script to start Scilab.

[thirdrock]

I was not able to attach the readme file earlier.I am just quoting the entire readme file here:

Scilab version 4.1.1
********************

************************************************** ****************************
INSTALLATION GUIDE
************************************************** ****************************

0 - COPYRIGHT NOTICE
********************

Scilab is free software.
See the included license: "license.txt" in English
"licence.txt" in French

************************************************** ****************************

In the following, all the paths are relative to the Scilab directory
(scilab-4.1.1 directory).

I - TO INSTALL SCILAB
*********************

A - IF YOU HAVE A COMPILED VERSION
----------------------------------

Simply do, in Scilab directory:
make
B - IF YOU HAVE A SOURCE VERSION
--------------------------------

This distribution has been tested on the following machines:
SUN Sparcstation (Solaris 5.8), HPUX workstation c8000 (HP.UX 11.11) and PC linux
(Mandriva 9.2,2005,2006, Fedora Core IV, Red Hat 9.0, Suse 10.0). But it should work on
other UNIXes.

You need X Window (X11R4, X11R5 or X11R6), C compiler and Fortran compiler.

1 - Configure your system by issuing the following command in the Scilab
directory:
./configure
Use "./configure --without-tk" if you don't have tcl/tk 8.4 or later
installed (not recommended).

This will create and/or modify a few Makefile and other files for your
system.
You can give options to configure command, see below.

2 - Do in the Scilab directory:
make all

This will compile Scilab and set everything.

Configure options:
------------------

--enable-debug: compile with "-g" option and do not optimize.

--with-gcc: use gcc C compiler (note that the compilation options
have not been tested on all machines, see C below).

--with-g77: use g77 Fortran compiler (note that the compilations
options have not been tested on all machines, see C below).

--with-gfortran : use gfortran, GNU Fortran 95 compiler (note that
the compilations options have not been tested on all machines,
see C below).

--with-gnu: use gcc C compiler and gun Fortran compiler (g77 or gfortran)
(note that the compilation options have not been tested on all machines,
see C below).

--with-f2c: on Linux systems, use f2c Fortran compiler.

--x-libraries=DIR: X Window library files are in DIR.
--x-includes=DIR: X Window include files are in DIR.

--with-local-xaw: compile and use Athena Widgets libraries given
with Scilab; configure chooses local Athena Widgets 3D library
when needed (not recommended).

--without-pvm: compile without PVM library. The default is to compile
with PVM library. In this case the PVM interface is not built.

If your PVM libraries and include files are in customized places,
you can specify them by hand with the following arguments:
--with-pvm-library=DIR: PVM library files are in DIR
--with-pvm-include=DIR: PVM include files are in DIR

--without-tk: compile without TCL/TK library. The default is to compile
with TCL/TK library. Use this option if you do not have libraries of
TCL/TK 8.4 or higher installed (not recommended, in this case the
TCL/TK interface is not build, Scilab help browser, scipad edidor
graphic editor, ... will not be available).

If your TCL/TK libraries and include files are in customized places,
or if you have several versions of TCL/TK installed you can specify them
by hand with all the following arguments:
--with-tcl-library=DIR: Tcl library files are in DIR
--with-tcl-include=DIR: Tcl include files are in DIR
--with-tk-library=DIR: Tk library files are in DIR
--with-tk-include=DIR: Tk include files are in DIR

-without-ocaml : do not compile with ocaml.

--without-java : do not compile Java interface.

--with-atlas-library=DIR: use the optimized version of BLAS (ATLAS)

--prefix=DIR: scilab will install itself in DIR/scilab-4.1.1
and create 3 symlinks in DIR/bin
By default prefix=/usr

If you already have PVM installed, you should set PVM_ROOT before
running configure. Usually, PVM_ROOT=/usr/local/lib/pvm

On FreeBSD, you should use the scilab port in /usr/ports/math/scilab
If you wish to build scilab by hand you should follow the following
rules (with PREFIX=/usr/local):
* If PVM is not already installed you should use --without-pvm.
* If PVM is installed you must set the PVM library and include
directories accordingly. Usually: --with-pvm-library=$PREFIX/lib and
--with-pvm-include=$PREFIX/include
* If you wish to use Tk (--with-tk), you must set the tcl/tk library
and include directories accordingly. Usually:
--with-tk-library=$PREFIX/lib
--with-tk-include=$PREFIX/include
--with-tcl-library=$PREFIX/lib
--with-tcl-include=$PREFIX/include
* You should set the CFLAGS variable before running configure to set
specific compilation options. Usually: CFLAGS="-O -pipe"
* You should set the correct prefix. Usually: --prefix=$PREFIX

On NetBSD, you should use the scilab package in /usr/pkgsrc/math/scilab
If you wish to build scilab by hand you should follow the following
rules (with PREFIX=/usr/local):
* If PVM is not already installed you should use --without-pvm.
* If PVM is installed you must set the PVM library and include
directories accordingly. Usually: --with-pvm-library=$PREFIX/lib and
--with-pvm-include=$PREFIX/include
* If you wish to use Tk (--with-tk), you must set the tcl/tk library
and include directories accordingly. Usually:
--with-tk-library=$PREFIX/lib
--with-tk-include=$PREFIX/include
--with-tcl-library=$PREFIX/lib
--with-tcl-include=$PREFIX/include
* You should set the CFLAGS variable before running configure to set
specific compilation options. Usually: CFLAGS="-O2 -pipe"
* You should set the correct prefix. Usually: --prefix=$PREFIX


C - CHANGING THE COMPILATION OPTIONS (source version only)
----------------------------------------------------------

You may want to change the options used to compile Scilab, names of the
compilers, compilation options, linker options, and so on; you can easily
do that.

The main "Makefile" of Scilab includes "Makefile.incl" and
"config/Makefile.<machine>":
- "Makefile.incl" contains all the compilation options
- "config/Makefile.<machine>" is only used for the link of the executable
"scilex" of Scilab.

The file "Makefile.incl" is included by all the Makefiles of the
distribution, so it is THE place where you can change compilation
options (it is self documented).

Note that "Makefile.incl" is automatically generated by "configure"
from "Makefile.incl.in", so your modifications of "Makefile.incl" are
discarded every time you run "configure".
Users knowing the way "configure" works may want to modify directly the
"configure" file.

Even more, users knowing the way "autoconf" works may want to modify
the "configure.in" file and then run "autoconf" to generate
the "configure" file.

D - CUSTOMIZING YOUR SCILAB
---------------------------

1 - By default Scilab includes its own browser written in TCL/TK.
But it is possible to choose another one. See the section
"Browser choice" of "man" help to do it.

2 - If you want to recompile Scilab after modifications, execute only
the "make all" command in Scilab directory (source version only).

If you want to clean all executable, object files and libraries
and then recompile Scilab, execute the following commands
(source version only):
make distclean
make all

3 - To print your postscript figures, the list of printers is defined
in the environment variable "PRINTERS" or in the beginning of
the shell script "bin/scilab".

4 - Icons for windows managers: icons for Scilab, Scilab graphics windows
are given in the X11_defaults subdirectory. See the README in
this subdirectory.

5 - COLOR RESOURCES: if you want to change the colors of your
customization you need to modify the files in the X11_defaults
subdirectory (essentially the Xscilab file) or to copy the same
color resources in your personal resource file (home directory).

************************************************** ****************************
II - REMARKS
************

0 - This binary version has been compiled with "libc.so.6" linked to
"libc-2.3.X.so". So it may not work on old Linux distributions where
"libc.so.6" is linked to older "libc" libraries.

A binary version for old "libc.so.6" libraries will be available soon.

1 - Note that C routines are not all ANSI.

2 - If there is something wrong when you open the scilab window
check your ".Xdefault" or ".Xresource" file.

3 - Athena Widgets libraries libXaw.a and libXmu.a (and corresponding
include files) are not systematically provided in some X11
installations. If you are using X11R5 or X11R6, these libraries are
provided for convenience with Scilab.
"configure" first tries to find existing Athena Widgets libraries.
If none are found and X Window release is not X11R4, it uses
local Athena Widgets libraries. Otherwise an error is issued.
You can impose the use of local Athena Widgets libraries by using
the option "--with-local-Xaw" with "configure".

4 - For HP workstation, programs to be incrementally linked should
be compiled with the option "+z" or "+Z".

5 - Binary versions compiled with Scilab's tcl/tk interface include TCL/TK
libraries in "tcl" directory.

6 - If you have any problem or suggestion to improve Scilab

http://www.scilab.org/cgi-bin/bugzilla_bug_II/index.cgi

or better post a message to newsgroup:

comp.soft-sys.math.scilab

************************************************** ****************************
III - TO RUN SCILAB
*******************

Run Scilab by executing "scilab" (shell script in bin).

If the name of the directory of Scilab distribution is not the same on
your machine than on the machine where Scilab was installed, copy the
bin/scilab script file somewhere, set its execution rights on, edit
it to modify the environment variable SCI definition (it should give
the pathname to the directory of Scilab distribution) and use this
modified script to start Scilab.

************************************************** ****************************
IV - DOCUMENTATION
******************

In addition to Scilab online documentation (obtained by typing "help item" or
"apropos keyword" or clicking on the help button), you will find
compressed postscript from Web site
"http://www.scilab.org":

Internals.ps.gz, Internals.pdf: Scilab's internals
Intro.ps.gz, Intro.pdf: Introduction to Scilab
Lmi.ps.gz, Lmi.pdf: Linear Matrix Inequalities Optimization Toolbox
Manual.ps.gz, Manual.pdf: On line Manual
Metanet.ps.gz, Metanet.pdf: Metanet User's Guide and Tutorial
Scicos.ps.gz, Scicos.pdf: Scicos: a Dynamic System Builder and Simulator
Signal.ps.gz, Signal.pdf: Signal Processing Toolbox
Intersci.ps.gz, Intersci.pdf: Interfacing Tool

Note that these documents are not uptodate.

************************************************** ****************************
V - SOME IMPORTANT FILES AND DIRECTORIES
****************************************

scilab.star : startup file for Scilab instructions in this file
are executed when Scilab is executed. Note that
you can also have your own startup file "SCIHOME/.scilab"
or "SCIHOME/scilab.ini" in your current directory.

configure.in : file used by "autoconf" to generate "configure".

configure : file used to configure Scilab's unix versions.

Makefile.incl.in : file used by configure to generate Makefile.incl.

Makefile.incl : file included by all Makefile's. It is automatically
generated by configure.

Path.incl : contains the scilab directory pathname. It is included by
scripts/Makefile. This file is automatically generated by
configure.

Version.incl : contains the scilab version. It is used by a few Makefile.

Makefile.in : file used by configure to generate Makefile.

Makefile : the main Makefile to make Scilab. It is automatically
generated by configure.

config/ : directory used by configure and by the main Makefile

Makefile.<host>: Makefile included by main Makefile.
It depends on the host and is used to created the
executable bin/scilex.

configuration : summarizes the configuration flags
computed by configure

demos/ : demos directory. Some of the demos can be executed by
clicking on the "demos" button.

examples/ : examples of dynamic links and interface code.

macros/ : functions directory: this directory is divided into
subdirectories corresponding to specific topics
(control, polynomials,...). Each subdirectory contains
the source code of the macros (files *.sci).

libs/ : directory of libraries: archives of object files needed
to link Scilab.

routines/ : directory of fortran or C routines. Divided into
subdirectories (see below).

man/ : files for online help

util/ : useful routines and ASCII files to manage Scilab.

bin/ : executable code and scripts.

scilab : shell-script to call Scilab and miscellaneous
tools. execute scilab -help scilab for help.
scilex : executable code of Scilab.
scilink : shell script called by scilab -link.
intersci: generator of interface program between Scilab
and routines.

intersci/ : Generator of interface program between Scilab and routines.

maple/ : Maple code to link Maple with Scilab.

pvm3/ : PVM for Scilab.

tcl/ : TCL/TK for Scilab.

************************************************** ****************************
THAT'S ALL FOLKS
************************************************** ****************************

[xadder]

Hmm... there are many ways of making your scilab executable I think, but try this. In your .bashrc file
add some lines such as:

export SCIBIN=/home/xxx/sci.../bin ( wherever your scilab "bin" directory is)
PATH=$PATH:/$SCIBIN/bin

This adds the scilab bin to the list of directories searched for executables (i.e. $PATH).
Start up a new shell, and type "echo $PATH" to check that this has worked correctly. Then I think typing scilab will get you started.

I wonder, do you really need to install scilab from source though? It is in the repositories, so you could have just used the "sudo aptitude install scilab" method. Unless you need the latest version then this is usually the easiest way, and then one avoids the need to set variables such as $PATH.