Picalo 2.36 review

Picalo Data Analysis Software is an free and open-source application that helps data analysts. Picalo Data Analysis Software is an

License: GPL (GNU General Public License) File size: 5319K Developer: Conan Albrecht

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Picalo Data Analysis Software is an free and open-source application that helps data analysts.

Picalo Data Analysis Software is an open source application that helps data analysts, fraud investigators, and auditors search through data sets for anomalies, trends, and other information.

Picalo is a scripting-oriented, data analysis toolkit that is focused on forensic data analysis. It is based in the Python language, and it includes a number of modules to crunch and massage data. I use it in my fraud research, and I publish it as open source in hopes that others will find it useful, contribute additions, and better the suite.

Here are some key features of "Picalo":
Picalo is an open framework. Users can either use the built-in routines or write their own. Those who write their own can share their routines with others in the Picalo community. The goal is to create a large set of analysis routines that meet many different needs--on a scale that a single company could never do.
The philosophy of Picalo is to bridge the gap between technically-oriented analysts and non-technical analysts. Data analysts who know basic scripting routines (for loops, for example), are more efficient and effective than those who do not--usually by several orders of magnitude. Picalo allows those who are technical to quickly write wizard-based analyses that others in an organization can use. See the user manual for more information about the plugin Detectlet architecture.
Picalo includes advanced analysis routines not found in competing products. For example, it supports grouping by a number of days for analysis of labor and time card data. Picalo can also automatically group records to achieve a specified degree of smoothness in data.
Picalo's language is based in Python, a powerful and easy-to-learn language. Rather than creating its own language (like competing packages do), Picalo rises on the shoulders of an extremely well-done language. You can download any of thousands of Python libraries from the Internet to use in your analyses.
Picalo runs on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and many other systems. Most competing data analysis applications run only on Windows.

The Picalo community believes that data analysis is best done through scripting. However, we realize that not all analysts will learn and enjoy scripting. Picalo's Deteclet architecture allows those who know how to script support those who do not through customizable wizards.

Picalo is also based in open source principles. This doesn't mean the designers can't make money with Picalo, it just means that the software code is open for others to fix bugs, code review, and improve upon. Profits should be made in using the software (on the job or in consulting practice) rather than in selling the software.

Requirements:
Python

What's New in This Release:
A very nice GUI was included along with detectlets and many other features that make it a full-blown application.