Maxima Bridge System: A software interface between Stata and the Maxima computer algebra system

Maxima is a free and open-source computer algebra system (CAS), namely, software that can perform symbolic computations such as solving equations, determining derivatives of functions, obtaining Taylor series, and manipulating algebraic expressions. In this presentation, I discuss the Maxima Bridge System (MBS), a collection of software that allows Stata to interface with Maxima to use it as an engine for symbolic computation, transfer data from Stata to Maxima, and retrieve results from Maxima. The cooperation between Stata and Maxima provides the user with an environment for statistical analysis in which the power of symbolic computation can be easily used together with all the facilities supplied by Stata. In this environment, the statistician can employ symbolic computation algorithms, when convenient, to manage the complexity of algebra and calculus while using numerical computation when speed matters.