19.7 Scientific Research and Professional Computing

Scientific research tools that can run on FreeBSD include mathematics (GeoGebra), astronomy (Stellarium), and others. This section lists the installation methods and basic purposes of each software by category.

Algebra

The FreeBSD base system includes two calculator tools: bc uses infix notation, and dc uses postfix notation (Reverse Polish Notation).

dc is an open-source arbitrary-precision calculator using postfix notation. In traditional Unix systems, bc was implemented as a preprocessor for dc — first converting infix expressions to postfix expressions, then passing them to dc for computation.

Its source code is located in the FreeBSD official source code repository at https://github.com/freebsd/freebsd-src/tree/main/contrib/bc, available for study and learning. Users can view the manual pages using the man bc or man dc commands for more usage details.

bc (Basic Calculator)

bc is an interactive arbitrary-precision calculator using infix notation, supporting basic arithmetic operations and function calculations.

$ bc # Enter the bc calculator
1+15 # Addition
16
sqrt(256) # Square root
16
5^3	 # Cube
125
90/3 # Division
30
10%4 # Modulo
2
quit # Exit the program

Geometry

Geometry Drawing Software GeoGebra

GeoGebra is dynamic geometry software that supports visualization and computation in geometry, algebra, and calculus.

Install using pkg:

# pkg install geogebra

Or install using Ports:

# cd /usr/ports/math/geogebra/
# make install clean

GeoGebra interface

Linear Programming

This section covers the usage of the linear programming software GLPK. Linear programming is an important branch of operations research, widely applied in resource optimization, production planning, and financial risk management.

GLPK

GLPK (GNU Linear Programming Kit) is an open-source linear programming toolkit developed by the GNU Project.

Install GLPK using pkg:

# pkg install glpk

Or install GLPK using Ports:

# cd /usr/ports/math/glpk/
# make install clean

Linear programming commonly uses the simplex method. On computers, various software can assist in solving linear programming problems, such as Microsoft Excel's Solver feature.

Computer Algebra System wxMaxima

wxMaxima is a graphical user interface for the Maxima computer algebra system, providing an intuitive interactive environment and powerful mathematical computation capabilities.

Install using pkg:

# pkg install wxmaxima

Or install using Ports:

# cd /usr/ports/math/wxmaxima/
# make install clean

wxMaxima supports not only numerical computation but also symbolic computation and formula derivation. The code examples are for reference only; for details, see the official documentation.

Physics and Chemistry

Periodic Table GPeriodic

GPeriodic is a periodic table viewer that provides basic information and physical-chemical properties of elements.

Install using pkg:

# pkg install gperiodic

Or install using Ports:

# cd /usr/ports/biology/gperiodic/
# make install clean

GPeriodic periodic table

Astronomy and Geography

Star Chart Software Stellarium

Stellarium is an open-source planetarium software that simulates realistic starry sky observations.

Install using pkg:

# pkg install stellarium

Or install using Ports:

# cd /usr/ports/astro/stellarium/
# make install clean

Stellarium interface

Stellarium star chart

Tip

It enters full-screen mode by default; press F11 to toggle full-screen mode.

GNOME Maps

GNOME Maps is a map viewer that provides map browsing and location search functionality.

Install using pkg:

# pkg install gnome-maps

Or install using Ports:

# cd /usr/ports/deskutils/gnome-maps/
# make install clean

GNOME Maps

The map data is based on OpenStreetMap and is relatively up-to-date, but lacks detailed point-of-interest information and navigation features, making it less detailed than commercial map services.

Tools and Software

Scientific Computing Software GNU Octave

GNU Octave is an open-source scientific computing software compatible with the MATLAB language, used for numerical computation and data visualization.

Install using pkg:

# pkg install octave

Or install using Ports:

# cd /usr/ports/math/octave/
# make install clean

References

• Howard G D. bc — An arbitrary precision calculator language[EB/OL]. [2026-04-17]. https://github.com/gavinhoward/bc. Gavin D. Howard's bc/dc implementation.
• FreeBSD Project. Differential Revision D19982[EB/OL]. (2019-05-23)[2026-04-17]. https://reviews.freebsd.org/D19982. FreeBSD since 13.0 incorporated Gavin D. Howard's bc/dc implementation into the base system (contrib/bc), with bc and dc integrated in the same binary.
• FreeBSD Project. bc(1) -- an arbitrary precision calculator language[EB/OL]. [2026-04-17]. https://man.freebsd.org/cgi/man.cgi?query=bc&sektion=1. Manual page for the arbitrary precision calculator language.
• FreeBSD Project. dc(1) -- an arbitrary precision calculator[EB/OL]. [2026-04-17]. https://man.freebsd.org/cgi/man.cgi?query=dc&sektion=1. Manual page for the arbitrary precision calculator.