GNU Scientific Library Reference Manual - Third Edition 3rd Revised ed. Edition
by
Brian Gough
(Editor)
ISBN-13: 978-0954612078
ISBN-10: 0954612078
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The GNU Scientific Library (GSL) is a free numerical library for C and C++ programmers. It provides over 1,000 routines for solving mathematical problems in science and engineering. Written by the developers of GSL this reference manual is the definitive guide to the library. The GNU Scientific Library is free software, distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL). All the money raised from the sale of this book supports the development of the GNU Scientific Library. This is the third edition of the manual, and corresponds to version 1.12 of the library (updated January 2009).
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Product details
- Publisher : Network Theory Ltd.; 3rd Revised ed. edition (January 1, 2009)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 592 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0954612078
- ISBN-13 : 978-0954612078
- Item Weight : 1.81 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.98 x 1.32 x 9.02 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #4,286,138 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #804 in Mathematics Reference (Books)
- #823 in C Programming Language
- #1,744 in Mathematical & Statistical Software
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4.0 out of 5 stars
A few versions behind the latest software release, but still very useful and valuable
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2015
I gave the GNU Scientific Library Reference Manual four stars rather than five because the manual is for version 1.12 of the software while the latest version of the software, the version I have running on my OS X Yosemite system, is version 1.16. Still, this book, although slightly outdated, is quite useful in understanding the usefulness of the various scientific computational algorithms. Book is structured into 40 sections with the first two sections devoted to an overview and then in chapter 2 how to download, compile, link, install, and test the installation on your system. I found this most helpful in successfully installing the GNU Scientific Library on my system. Each subsequent chapter then devotes itself to a certain area of numerical analysis, such as elementary mathematical functions, complex numbers, polynomial evaluation, special functions, vector analysis, least squares curve fitting, etc. Especially helpful are the example programs in each chapter illustrating how to run most, but not all of the functions described, including the header files needed for successful compilation and library files needed for successful linking. These example programs also have code for generating test data needed for successful and meaningful program execution along with scripts illustrating how results may be displayed graphically using GNU plot.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2013
similar in natrue to "Numerical Recipes," but the software is freeware. Essential to programminw the gcc or g++ for any scientific or engineering application. The book documents GNU scientific Library 1.12 and version (of the library, not the book) is available. The book is still quite useful
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Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2017
A complete GSL manual
Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2015
A deep and wonderful library of scientific functions. An excellent reference covering them.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2016
The manual itself is fine. My 3-stars is for the library, not the manual. I'm hoping my semi-critical review will inspire others to read my review and not make the same mistake I did. My mistake was not understanding the license BEFORE I spent ANY time and money on learning the library. Fortunately, I found the license quite early in my reading, and didn't waste a huge amount of time.
Basically, the library is worthless for me because the license demands that any project in which the library is used must carry the same license -- it must become open source. If I had done my research ahead of time, I'd have discovered that fact and not wasted money on a book that will go on the shelf and never be used.
Looks like I'm back to writing my own numerical routines.
Basically, the library is worthless for me because the license demands that any project in which the library is used must carry the same license -- it must become open source. If I had done my research ahead of time, I'd have discovered that fact and not wasted money on a book that will go on the shelf and never be used.
Looks like I'm back to writing my own numerical routines.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2006
This is a great manual. Professionally written and very easy to read. GSL is a lot easier to use than Numerical Recipes.
Galassi et al have provided many examples to illustrate generic uses for library functions. Knowlege of C-programming is required, especially pointers and structures. The manual is available for free on the web, but the printed edition is bound and convenient to read. Plus, GSL is free and open-source, and buying this manual throws some cash the developers' way.
It's unlikely that the manual will be outdated anytime soon, as GSL developers are satisfied with the library and don't plan to make any major changes (or so they say on their website) apart from minor bugfixes.
Among a few issues with GSL are that GSL's handling of complex datatypes is a little clumsy IMHO, and their matrix diagonalization routines are not so great, and only work for hermitian matrices. Of course, you can use LAPACK for non-hermitian matrices. Also, they should provide some tips and tricks used to simplify programs using GSL.
I've tried out their BLAS stuff, their ODE integrators (they have rk4 & 5, Prince Dormand, Gaussian integration stuff and Bulirsch-Stoer), their special functions and their quadrature stuff. The libraries seem pretty thread safe (as they say) as I'm running them on SMP systems and haven't have any problems yet.
Overall, fine work.
Galassi et al have provided many examples to illustrate generic uses for library functions. Knowlege of C-programming is required, especially pointers and structures. The manual is available for free on the web, but the printed edition is bound and convenient to read. Plus, GSL is free and open-source, and buying this manual throws some cash the developers' way.
It's unlikely that the manual will be outdated anytime soon, as GSL developers are satisfied with the library and don't plan to make any major changes (or so they say on their website) apart from minor bugfixes.
Among a few issues with GSL are that GSL's handling of complex datatypes is a little clumsy IMHO, and their matrix diagonalization routines are not so great, and only work for hermitian matrices. Of course, you can use LAPACK for non-hermitian matrices. Also, they should provide some tips and tricks used to simplify programs using GSL.
I've tried out their BLAS stuff, their ODE integrators (they have rk4 & 5, Prince Dormand, Gaussian integration stuff and Bulirsch-Stoer), their special functions and their quadrature stuff. The libraries seem pretty thread safe (as they say) as I'm running them on SMP systems and haven't have any problems yet.
Overall, fine work.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2006
This is a printed version of the GSL Reference Manual that's available on gnu.org, so there's no content here you couldn't get for free on the internet, and you have the privilege of trying as much as you want before you buy. I purchased the book for the convenience and ease-of-reading that comes with a printed volume, and to help support Free Software development. The typeset equations are much easier on the eye than the text renderings; the binding and printing are of very high quality. The price is very reasonable. One disadvantage, common to all paper documentation, is that it will eventually go out of date. Bottom line: if you use GSL, you'll get your money's worth from this book.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2014
Great reference text.