What is the difference between Matlab and Python?

Question

For undergraduate studies at Cornell in CS, I have to choose between Matlab and Python. I have no clue what this means, except perhaps, it is an atmosphere or way of learning.
I am currently studying C++ at high school.
After undergrad, I will study for a doctorate in Astronomy. Computer Science, is only a pathway for me to study astronomy as I cannot do undergraduate in it, with my current high school subjects.
Accordingly, which one is the best option, Matlab or Python? Can I also get a differentiation?

Answer 1

I would say it depends on what you want. Python is a general purpose programming language while Matlab is not considered a general purpose programming language. Python gives you more insight to programming 'as is', i.e. it is easier to transfer Python programming knowledge to new programming languages.
Matlab, as the name already suggests, has its strengths in simpler syntax for mathematical purposes and also provides many advanced mathematical algorithms built-in.
So this is pretty much a decision between more effort to learn a more general programming language (Python) or learning a more specialized programming language.
Maybe take a look around and determine the relevance for Matlab in your projected career path. If Matlab is not significantly more relevant, I would learn Python as you stay more flexible with this. But that's just the opinion of a computer science major with years of experience in programming in different programming languages so I might be a bit biased. :-)

Answer 2

Right now I have C++ (like you) and also Matlab. Matlab is high level language. It does have conditional statements like if, for and while, but in most cases you won't even need them. I actually really like it so far. It can be used as a great tool for complex math problems, like solving systems of differentional equinations, ploting functions (you can use it for making super pretty graphs for your esseys and that is useful). If you're going to take any hard math, or physics, and I'm guessing you will, perhaps you should consider it.
All of this comes from a person who never studied Phyton.

Answer 3

You should do python as it is in someway connected to C and you've said you are doing C++ which is also connected to C.