Paleontological Statistics

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PAST (PAleontological STatistics)
DevelopersØyvind Hammer, David A.T. Harper, Paul D. Ryan
Initial release2001; 25 years ago (2001)
Stable release
4.13 / May 2023; 3 years ago (2023-05)
Repository
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Engine
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    Size~30 MB
    TypeStatistical analysis
    Numerical analysis
    LicenseFreeware
    Websitewww.nhm.uio.no/english/research/resources/past/

    PAST (PAleontological STatistics) is a free software package for statistical data analysis with a focus on palaeontological data.

    Development

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    PAST's predecessor was PALSTAT, developed by palaeontologists David Harper (University of Copenhagen) and Paul Ryan (National University of Ireland), first for BBC Microcomputer and later for MS-DOS.[1]

    The development of PAST started in 1999, the development team consisted of Harper, Ryan as well as Øyvind Hammer (University of Oslo),[2] who is still the maintainer today.[3]

    Functions and Operation

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    PAST includes functions for data management, data visualisation through graphics, univariate and multivariate analysis procedures as well as linear and non-linear modelling. There are also functions for diversity calculation, time series analysis, geostatistical and stratigraphic analysis.[3]

    The operation is basically mouse-controlled. In addition, control via syntax scripts is provided, using a Pascal-like script language.[3]

    Usage

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    PAST was used for studies in paleontology,[4][5][6][7] forensics,[8] archaeology[9][10] or microbiology.[11]

    The software was recommended because it is "... designed specifically for paleontologists"[12] and "... incorporates a vast majority of analytical methods suitable for paleontological and current ecological work".[13]

    Further reading

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    References

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