Xref: utzoo comp.lang.fortran:5211 comp.sys.dec:5580
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!sdd.hp.com!samsung!nstar!inland!jkelly
From: jkelly@inland.com
Newsgroups: comp.lang.fortran,comp.sys.dec
Subject: Data analysis packages
Summary: request for names of data analysis packages.
Keywords: database, data analysis, statistical, signal processing
Message-ID: <797.28103f16@inland.com>
Date: 20 Apr 91 13:16:06 GMT
Followup-To: poster
Organization: Inland Steel Research Labs; East Chicago, IN
Lines: 58

This posting is probably not suited to the 'fortran' newsgroup, but suggestions
as to appropriate newsgroups for the posting are welcome.

Please email responses directly to me, jkelly@inland.com, I will post a summary
response to the appropriate newsgroups.

I want to establish a fairly complete list of commercial packages suitable for
database and data analysis.  The application is analysis of data from a pilot
scale industrial process, and will involve plotting the value of various values
over time, generation of summary statistics, pareto charts and other statistical
information.  I need to be able to zoom in and out on particular portions of
the data.  It would be nice to be able to box a certain portion of the data
with a mouse, and compute information local to that box such as average value,
derivative wrt time, smoothed curve, etc.  Various signal processing type
abilities might well be valuable.  For example, various signals might get
destroyed by 60 Hz noise.  Being able to try various digital filtering
techniques, might well help solve such problems.  The volume of data is likely
to be on the order of 100 variables with on the order of 20000 data points for
each variable.  I would expect the package to be able to plot 20000 data points 
in less than 10 seconds.  (believe it or not rs1 on a vax 8800 cannot meet this
requirement.  I know, I know 9600 baud to a dumb terminal, but that is the least
of its performance problems).

The likely platforms for such software are: a 386/486 pc, some unix box, some
vax box, some other box that meets the cost and performance requirements.
(Here is a opertunity for vendors to assail me with proposals).  The preferred
interface would be some type of window enviroment e.g. macintosh, open look,
motif.  Sunview, decwindows might do in a pinch, depending on how well the
package has adapted to those systems flaws.

Systems that I know about include, these may or may not fit the above wish list.

rs1:  Seems unneccessarily slow, I don't know if it has a more pleasant window
type interface on some other box.  Doesn't really provide an enviroment for
playing with the data.  Has no signal processing capabilities.  Probably far
too expensive.

SAS:  Last time I used it was in 1983, seemed okay then, but I've become fussier
since.  I believe the have a workstation version of it.  I don't know how
pleasant it is to use.  It has good statistical capabilities, I don't know if
it has any signal processing capabilities.  Probably far too expensive.

IDX:  Last used it on a microcrap in 1988.  I liked the sort of interactive
fortran style programming enviroment.  At that point it just had a character
based input.  signal processing capabilities.  I don't know what its statistical
capabilities are.

PI: written specifialy for industrial process control. Its capabilities for
'playing' with data might be limited.
Given its intended market, I would imagine it is priced at 5 times what it
should be. (If I am being unnecessarily obnoxious,
please send me figures to prove me wrong).

Sherpa: A steel company product for process control.  I don't know any of
its capabilities.

Thanks,
Jim Kelly