title: Why/when should I prefer MATLAB over Octave?
body: <p>In our shoestring operation we need to prototype algorithms in some higher-level language before committing to a C implementation on embedded hardware.</p>
  
  <p>So far we have been using MATLAB to do that, but the licensing costs are beginning to hurt. We're considering porting our MATLAB code to Octave.</p>
  
  <p>Is there any particular reason <strong>not</strong> to do that? Will we break any compatibility, especially if we have external partners who insist on using MATLAB? Are there any performance penalties we can expect?</p>