Free Software

C++ Compiler:  Free C++ Compiler from Borland. This is the free version of Borland's C++ command-line compiler.  Download and unzip the file BorlandCompiler.zip for setup instructions. 

Histogram: An easy to use histogram program.

Histogram screenshot


    Features
  • Create histograms with up to 1000 data points
  • Choose from 2 to 20 bins.
  • Overlay Gaussian function on the histogram.
  • Export histogram to a Bitmap or JPEG image file.
  • Import/Export data from/to ASCII file.
  • Many new customization abilities added.
Download a copy of Histogram.

JagFit: JagFit is a free plotting/fitting program that was designed for our teaching laboratories.

JagFit screenshot
     Features
  • Linear Fits
  • Polynomial Fits.
  • Plots include error bars. (User input or estimated)
  • Fit parameters given with uncertainties. χ2also returned.
  • Save graph to a bitmap or JPEG image.
  • Export data table to ASCII file.
  • Enter up to 200 Data Points.
  • Add/Delete columns to the data table.
  • Select which columns to use for plotting and which to use for error bars.
  • Results of using the function utility can now be put in any column you choose.
  • Exponential and Power Law fits. 
  • Semi-Log and Log-Log plots.
Download a copy of JagFit.

MEchHeat: MEchHeat is a tool for calculating the temperature of a thermistor based on resistance using the Steinhart-Hart equation.

MEchHeat

     Features
  • Uses the temperature vs. resistance data furnished by PASCO scientific for use with the thermistor embedded in the aluminum cylinder of PASCO’s “Mechanical Equivalent of Heat” apparatus.
  • MEchHeat was developed for use with PASCO Scientific’s “Mechanical Equivalent of Heat” apparatus, but it can be used with any thermistor provided the user supplies the data file for calibration.
Download a copy of MEchHeat.

Plot Digitizer: Plot Digitizer is a useful program for extracting data from a linear, semi-log, or log-log plot.

Using an optical scanner, create a Bitmap or JPEG  image of the plot and open the image file in Plot Digitizer.  Then, after calibration, you can extract the data values by merely clicking on the data points.

Plot Digitizer screenshot

Calibration Window

     Features
  • A zoom window aides you in clicking on precisely the point you are interested in.
  • Automatically corrects for the rotation of the image you're analyzing as well as the non-orthogonality of the axes.
  • Any 3 non-collinear points can be used for calibration. (Calibration points do not need to be on the axes.)
  • Save your progress at any time in a "project" file.
  • Label the calibration points you have selected. (Labels can be toggled on and off.)
  • Label the points you're digitizing on the calibrated image. (Labels can be toggled on and off.)
  • Export the calibrated image (showing the point labels) to a bmp or jpeg file.
  • Export data to an ASCII, an MS Excel or an MS Word file
  • Download "How Plot Digitizer's calibration works". (PDF)
Download a copy of Plot Digitizer.
Send me a message if you find a bug or have a suggestion for an improvement: E-Mail Michael Boleman
This software was developed by faculty at the University of South Alabama, Department of Physics, Mobile, Alabama, USA.  All software on this page can be used freely by anyone without requesting any formal permission.  Enjoy.
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