Introduction to MATLAB

16 December 2011

What is MATLAB?
MATLAB is a simple programming language with its own extensive library of mathematical and graphical subroutines It integrates computation and graphics in one easy to use interface MATLAB stands for MATrix LABoratory. MATLAB is very extendable. There are many add-ons (toolboxes) for specific requirements

What is MATLAB?
If MATLAB can process and visualize data, why ever use FORTRAN, C, or some other language? MATLAB is an interpreted language
It is not a compiled language Therefore identical code executes more slowly, sometimes MUCH more slowly in MATLAB MATLAB has more memory overhead than equivalent FORTRAN or C programs

What is MATLAB?
Main Features
Simple programming rules Extended accuracy Continuity among integer, real and complex values Comprehensive mathematical library Extensive graphics tools Linkages with other languages Transportability across environment
MATLAB scripts will work on PC, UNIX, Mac

Starting MATLAB
On UNIX: type matlab at command prompt Click on the MATLAB icon if you are on a PC Mac can probably do both Issues on startup
MATLAB needs a connection to the license server Check internet connection Too many users can use all available licenses
Try again later

Starting MATLAB
Once MATLAB is running the GUI (Graphical User Interface) will appear
Default Window apperance

Starting MATLAB
Command Window
Main window in MATLAB Commands entered here

Starting MATLAB
MATLAB displays >> prompt when ready for a command
Will have no >> prompt when processing commands Newer versions also say Ready or Busy in lower left corner of GUI Can use arrow keys to work through command history and modify commands

MATLAB GUI
Current Folder Window
Displays contents of the current working directory MATLAB Search Path
Path that MATLAB uses to search for script and function files Default path contains all built in MATLAB functions Can modify path through MATLAB function or going under File>Set Path MATLAB will ask to modify path if running a program from a folder not in path

MATLAB GUI
Workspace Window
Shows all currently defined variables Array dimensions Min, max values Good debugging tool

Command History
Shows all past commands Can copy and past commands into command window Double click will execute command

MATLAB GUI
Other windows include editor window, figure window, variable editor, help, etc Will discuss editor and figure window in upcoming weeks, get to help window in a little bit

MATLAB GUI
Desktop Menus File Menu
New
Create new MATLAB program file (m-file)

Open existing m-file Import data Set Path Open recent m-files

MATLAB GUI
Edit Menu
Copy, cut, paste Find and replace phrases Clear command history, workspace

Desktop Menu
Change appearance of desktop
Select windows to display

Interactive Commands
Enter commands at >> prompt

Variable x automatically allocated

Interactive Commands
MATLAB is case sensitive
Variable ans will take value of result of command if no equal sign specified
Holds most recent result only

Semicolon at end of line will suppress output, it is not required like in C

Interactive Commands
Format of output
Defaults to 4 decimal places Can change using format statement format long changes output to 15 decimal places

Operators
Scalar arithmetic operations Operation
Exponentiation: ^ Multiplication: * Right Division: / Left Division: \ Addition: + Subtraction: ab ab a / b = a/b a \ b = b/a a+b ab

MATLAB form
a^b a*b a/b a\b a+b a-b

MATLAB will ignore white space between variables and operators

Order of Operations
Parentheses Exponentiation Multiplication and division have equal precedence Addition and subtraction have equal precedence Evaluation occurs from left to right When in doubt, use parentheses
MATLAB will help match parentheses for you

Logical Operators

Variables
MATLAB is case sensitive
X is not equal to x

Variable names must start with a letter

Variables
Variable types
Numeric Logical Character and string (discussed next week) Cell and Structure (discussed next week) Function handle (discussed in week 3)

Variables
Dont name your variables the same as functions
min, max, sqrt, cos, sin, tan, mean, median, etc Funny things happen when you do this

MATLAB reserved words dont work either

MATLAB Help
Ways to get help in MATLAB
help function name Provides basic text output

Type helpwin on command line Look under the help menu on the desktop

MATLAB Help
Product help window
Help>product help

MATLAB Help
Can browse or search product help for a specific function or topic MATLAB help has introductory help material, basic overviews of how to use functions, plot, program in MATLAB, example code, etc lookfor keyword command will also find functions that have the keyword in them doc function_name brings up the full documentation for the function

Resources
Books
Two that seem to be good:
A Concise Introduction to MATLAB by William J. Palm III. 2008, McGraw-Hill, 418 pp. Essential MATLAB for Engineers and Scientists (Fourth Edition) by Brian Hahn and Dan Valentine. 2010, Academic Press, 480 pp.

Online tutorials and examples are everywhere Note that older books and tutorials may have options that are no longer available and functions that no longer work
Figures are the prime example

Next Week
Arrays Strings File I/O Program layout and debugging

Questions?