Origin (software)

Origin is a scientific graphing and data analysis software package, produced by OriginLab Corporation, that runs on Microsoft Windows. Origin supports various 2D/3D graph types.

Data analyses in Origin include statistics, signal processing, curve fitting and peak analysis. Origin's curve fitting is performed by the nonlinear least squares fitter which is based on the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm (LMA).

Origin imports data files in various formats such as ASCII text, Excel, NI TDM, DIADem, NetCDF, SPC, etc. It also exports the graph to various image file formats such as JPEG, GIF, EPS, TIFF, etc.

There is also a built-in query tool for accessing database data via ADO.

Interface


Origin is primarily a GUI software with a spreadsheet front end. Unlike popular spreadsheet like Excel, Origin's worksheet is column oriented, such that each column has associated attributes like name, units and other user definable labels. Instead of cell formula, Origin uses column formula for calculations.

Origin also has a scripting language (LabTalk) for controlling the software, which can be extended using a built-in C/C++-based compiled language (Origin C).

Note that Origin can be also used as a COM server from the program which might be written in VB.NET, C#, LabVIEW etc.

OriginPro
Origin is available in two editions, the regular version(Origin 8) and the pricier OriginPro 8. The latter adds additional data analysis features like surface fitting, short-time Fourier Transform, and more advanced statistics.

History
Origin was first created for use solely with microcalorimeters manufactured by MicroCal Inc. The software was used to graph the instruments data, and perform nonlinear curve fitting and parameter calculation.

The software was first published for the public in 1992 by Microcal Software, which later was renamed to OriginLab Corporation, located in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Release history

 * 2009.4 Origin 8 SR5
 * 2008.10 Origin 8 SR4
 * 2008.6 Origin 8 SR2
 * 2007.12 Origin 8 SR1
 * 2007.10 Origin 8
 * 2006.1 Origin 7.5 SR6
 * 2003.10 Origin 7.5
 * 2002.2 Origin 7.0
 * 2000.9 Origin 6.1
 * 1999.6 Origin 6.0
 * 1997.8 Origin 5.0
 * 1995.2 Origin 4.1
 * 1993.? Origin 2