# Install fricas with Homebrew, apt, MacPorts, Nix, pacman, scoop Advanced computer algebra system. Version 1.3.13 via Homebrew; verified 2026-06-05. ## Install ```sh sudo av install brew:fricas ``` Additional install commands: ### macOS - Homebrew (100%): ```sh brew install fricas ``` Evidence: local Homebrew formula metadata - MacPorts (94%): ```sh sudo port install fricas ``` Evidence: MacPorts ports tree: math/fricas/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1 ### Linux - Debian apt (92%): ```sh sudo apt install elpa-fricas ``` Evidence: Debian stable package indexes: elpa-fricas from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz - Nix (92%): ```sh nix profile install nixpkgs#fricas ``` Evidence: nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/fr/fricas/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1 - pacman (92%): ```sh sudo pacman -S fricas ``` Evidence: Arch Linux sync databases: fricas from https://geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com/extra/os/x86_64/extra.db.tar.gz ### Windows - Scoop (92%): ```sh scoop install extras/fricas ``` Evidence: Scoop official bucket manifest trees: bucket/fricas.json from https://api.github.com/repos/ScoopInstaller/Extras/git/trees/master?recursive=1 ## Package facts - **Package key:** brew:fricas - **Package manager:** Homebrew - **Package manager page:** - **Version:** 1.3.13 - **Source summary:** Advanced computer algebra system - **Homepage:** - **Repository:** - **Upstream docs:** - **License:** BSD-3-Clause - **Source archive:** - **Last updated:** 2026-06-05T01:32:56Z - **Generated:** 2026-07-08T07:18:31+00:00 ## Executables - efricas (cli) - fricas (cli) - efricas (alias) - fricas (alias) ## Dependencies - gmp - libice - libsm - libx11 - libxau - libxdmcp - libxpm - libxt - sbcl - zstd ## Install behavior - Post-install hook: not defined - Bottle: available on arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, sonoma, x86_64_linux ## Freshness - Page generated: 2026-07-08 - Package-manager version: 1.3.13 - Package-manager updated: 2026-06-05 - Local data: ok - Upstream repository: https://github.com/fricas/fricas - Upstream latest detected: 1.3.13 (current) ## Project history and usage FriCAS is an advanced computer algebra system and a 2007 fork of Axiom. It continues the Scratchpad/Axiom line of symbolic mathematics systems, pairing a large mathematical library with the SPAD language and interactive command-line use. ### Project history The official FriCAS history traces the system to IBM laboratories around 1965, when J. Griesmer began work on a computer algebra system. The project was named Scratchpad in 1970, and a new Scratchpad II architecture began in 1976. Around 1982, the SPAD language took shape in a form close to the current one. In 1992 IBM sold the system to NAG, which renamed it Axiom and marketed it. NAG later stopped development, withdrew Axiom from the market in 2001, and released the sources under an open source license. Tim Daly received the sources in 2002 and started the open-source Axiom project. FriCAS was created in 2007 when Waldek Hebisch forked Axiom after a disagreement about development strategy. The official history records that FriCAS then made several releases with incremental improvements, while Axiom and OpenAxiom continued as related branches of the same lineage. ### Adoption history FriCAS adoption is rooted in the long-running Axiom/Scratchpad user base rather than a single modern launch. The current official site provides the homepage, GitHub repository, mailing list, API documentation, book, examples, installation guide, and citation information, indicating a research and mathematical-computing community workflow. The project continues to publish releases from the GitHub repository, with visible release tags in the 1.3 series from 2021 through 2026. ### How it is used The package exposes command-line entry points such as `fricas` and `efricas`. Users run interactive algebra sessions, use FriCAS domains and packages, write or inspect SPAD code, consult the FriCAS book, and use the generated API documentation for mathematical functionality. ### Why package nerds care FriCAS is package-nerd significant because it is a living descendant of a major historical computer algebra system, with roots before most modern package ecosystems. Packaging it means preserving a large Lisp/SPAD mathematical environment whose source history crosses IBM research, commercial Axiom, open-source Axiom, and later forks. It is also a useful contrast to newer CAS packages: instead of a small CLI wrapper, it carries a deep algebra library, language runtime assumptions, documentation corpus, and compatibility concerns from decades of symbolic-computation work. ### Timeline - 1965: IBM work begins on a computer algebra system that becomes the Scratchpad line. - 1970: The project is named Scratchpad. - 1976: Scratchpad II begins with a new architecture. - 1982: The SPAD language takes shape close to its current form. - 1992: IBM sells the system to NAG, which renames it Axiom. - 2001: Axiom is withdrawn from the market and released publicly under an open source license. - 2002: Tim Daly starts the open-source Axiom project from NAG's sources. - 2007: Waldek Hebisch forks Axiom to create FriCAS. - 2021-2026: FriCAS publishes 1.3.x releases from the GitHub project. ### Related projects - Closely related projects include Scratchpad, Scratchpad II, Axiom, and OpenAxiom. - Related technical surfaces include the SPAD language, Codemist Common Lisp in the Axiom history, the FriCAS book, generated API documentation, and the FriCAS mailing list. ### Sources - - - - ## Security Notes narrow executable package without higher-risk signals. - **Geiger risk:** green / low - narrow executable package without higher-risk signals ## Source Database Details - **Source Database:** Homebrew formula API - **Tap:** homebrew/core - **Full Name:** fricas - **Version Scheme:** 0 - **Revision:** 4 - **Head Version:** HEAD - **Bottle Stable Root URL:** - **Deprecated:** no - **Disabled:** no - **Keg Only:** no - **URL Keys:** head, stable ## Other Package-Manager Records - Debian apt - elpa-fricas - 1.3.11-3: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: elpa-fricas from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | General purpose computer algebra system: emacs support | http://fricas.sourceforge.net/ - Debian apt - fricas - 1.3.11-3: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: fricas from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | General purpose computer algebra system: main binary and modules | http://fricas.sourceforge.net/ - Debian apt - fricas-databases - 1.3.11-3: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: fricas-databases from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | General purpose computer algebra system: generated text databases | http://fricas.sourceforge.net/ - Debian apt - fricas-doc - 1.3.11-3: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: fricas-doc from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | General purpose computer algebra system: documentation | http://fricas.sourceforge.net/ - Debian apt - fricas-graphics - 1.3.11-3: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: fricas-graphics from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | General purpose computer algebra system: graphics subsystem | http://fricas.sourceforge.net/ - Debian apt - fricas-graphics-data - 1.3.11-3: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: fricas-graphics-data from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | General purpose computer algebra system: graphics data | http://fricas.sourceforge.net/ - Debian apt - fricas-hypertex - 1.3.11-3: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: fricas-hypertex from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | General purpose computer algebra system: hypertex subsystem | http://fricas.sourceforge.net/ - Debian apt - fricas-hypertex-data - 1.3.11-3: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: fricas-hypertex-data from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | General purpose computer algebra system: hypertex data | http://fricas.sourceforge.net/ - Debian apt - fricas-source - 1.3.11-3: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: fricas-source from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | General purpose computer algebra system: source files | http://fricas.sourceforge.net/ - Debian apt - fricas-test - 1.3.11-3: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: fricas-test from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | General purpose computer algebra system: regression test inputs | http://fricas.sourceforge.net/ - Nix - fricas: normalized package name match | nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/fr/fricas/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1 - Ubuntu apt - elpa-fricas - 1.3.10-1build3: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: elpa-fricas from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | General purpose computer algebra system: emacs support | http://fricas.sourceforge.net/ - Ubuntu apt - fricas - 1.3.10-1build3: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: fricas from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | General purpose computer algebra system: main binary and modules | http://fricas.sourceforge.net/ - Ubuntu apt - fricas-databases - 1.3.10-1build3: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: fricas-databases from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | General purpose computer algebra system: generated text databases | http://fricas.sourceforge.net/ - Ubuntu apt - fricas-doc - 1.3.10-1build3: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: fricas-doc from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | General purpose computer algebra system: documentation | http://fricas.sourceforge.net/ - Ubuntu apt - fricas-graphics - 1.3.10-1build3: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: fricas-graphics from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | General purpose computer algebra system: graphics subsystem | http://fricas.sourceforge.net/ ## Related links - [Source-control packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/source-control-tools/) - Belongs to a source-control command family. - [Terminal utility packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/terminal-utilities/) - Matched terminal and command-line workflow metadata. - [Networking and protocol packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/networking-protocol-tools/) - Matched network, protocol, or remote-service metadata. - [Scientific computing packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/scientific-computing-tools/) - Matched scientific computing metadata. - [libxpm](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/libxpm/) - Runtime dependency declared by Homebrew. - [yacas](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/yacas/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cas, cli, computer-algebra, mathematics, science. - [maxima](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/maxima/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, computer-algebra, mathematics, science. - [msolve](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/msolve/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, computer-algebra, mathematics, science, symbolic-computation. - [singular](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/singular/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, computer-algebra, mathematics, science. - [wxmaxima](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/wxmaxima/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, computer-algebra, mathematics, science. - [ginac](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/ginac/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, computer-algebra, science, symbolic-computation. - [pari](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/pari/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, computer-algebra, mathematics, science. - [calc](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/calc/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, mathematics, science. ## Combined YAML source View the package source record on GitHub. [combined/fricas.yml](https://github.com/automic-vault/db/blob/main/combined/fricas.yml) ## Sources - Nucleus package database - Geiger risk classifier - package-page enrichment - curated package history - package version freshness - av.db category and tag curation - package relationship graph - external package-manager database matches - cross-ecosystem install command graph