Best Free CAE software for Mechanical and Aerospace Engineers | Opensource Design and Analysis Tools

Here are the 10 best programming platforms for mechanical engineers
- *C Programming Language*: C is the most important programming language and acts as a foundation stone for many other languages since most of them have derived concepts from C. Most of the mechanical devices are controlled by C, especially when working on data acquisition, real-time robotic control, and hardware interfaces.
- *Java*: Java is a powerful programming language used for designing and developing devices. Java applets are widely used for user interface design, and it is also used to build computers, laptops, gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, medical monitoring devices, lottery terminals, etc.
- *Python*: Python is a general-purpose programming language that is easy to learn and understand. It is used in numerical analysis, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, etc., which are important topics in mechanical engineering. Big MNC companies like Tesla, Mercedes Benz, Boeing, etc., prefer their employees to have a good knowledge of coding.
- *C++*: C++ is an extension version of C and gives the ability to use computer resources properly. It helps in understanding how file systems work, the importance of data size, and the usage of different libraries in programming. Companies like Google and Amazon design products like Dart and Flutter mainly using C++.
- *MATLAB*: MATLAB is the most widely used programming language by mechanical engineers. It is mainly used for simulations, analysis, and visualization purposes. MATLAB can solve many complex mathematical problems in less time and is used in real-life models in automotive and robotic industries.
- *Mathcad*: Mathcad is useful to every mechanical engineer, regardless of job function. It gives the ability to do math within a document, as well as to add relevant images and text to explain work. It can add plots, perform unit conversion, and do linear algebra.
- *Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)*: VBA is the programming language built into all of the Microsoft Office products. It is useful for automating Excel files, Access files, Word files, and any other files created using the MS Office suite.
- *Microsoft Excel*: Excel is probably the most versatile software used not just by mechanical engineers, but by nearly every office worker. It is useful for quick calculations, tabulating data, laying out ideas, drawing with shapes, and basic programming.
- *Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Software*: FEA is useful to any engineer that needs to perform structural analysis. This software allows analyzing stresses and deflections in complex structures. Popular examples include

[@aghelpmech]

Nice video, helpful for mechanical design engineering firms with less funds

[@aghelpmech]

Thank you