A Brief Introduction to MATLAB

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• A Brief Introduction to MATLAB
• Shibaji Shome and Rob MacLeod
• CVRTI
• University of Utah

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What is MATLAB?

• MATrix LABoratory (The MathWorks,Inc)
• Easy access to matrix computation software
• Scientific computing and Visualization package
• Arrays/matrices are at the heart of MATLAB
• All data are stored as arrays

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Ok, but what is MATLAB?

• 1) Concept of Workspace
• 2) In-Built functions - commands
• 3) M-scripts
• 4) User-defined functions

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Workspace

• Workspace initializes on launch
• Front end to MATLAB
• Access MATLAB functions
• Manage variables

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Workspace

• Start MATLAB Type matlab at system prompt /
  click application icon
• On starting MATLAB
• Matlab command window - your workspace
• Matlab command prompt - interact

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Commands

• In built functions
• Manage environment, variables, commands,
  functions
• Manage files, interact with the OS
• Perform computations, etc

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M-Files or scripts

• Execute a batch of commands in a sequential
  manner.
• Compartmentalize your commands, organize them
  into a M-file.
• All variables and results are global ie can be
  accessed from the workspace.
• Name your m-file (with a .m extension), execute
  at command prompt by just typing the filename.

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Functions

• Essentially user defined commands.
• Accept inputs from the workspace or another
  function/command.
• Output to workspace or output becomes input to
  another command/function.
• Encapsulation of variables.
• Only the outputs of a function are global.
• A function can call other functions within it,
  make calls to itself recursively.
• Structures your program, makes it more flexible,
  manageable and easy to debug.

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