Shodor Computational Science Institute

Intro to Matlab

Dr. Holly Hirst
Appalachian State University
The Shodor Education Foundation
June 1998

Matlab is a computer program that was originally designed to solve linear algebra problems (MATrix LABoratory). The syntax is designed to make manipulating with matrices easy, but avoid having to learn all the intricacies of a high level programming language like C or Fortran. There are powerful procedures built in for many problems of all kinds. However, Matlab is not a symbolic manipulator.

Here are a few simple rules for running Matlab in the Walker Complex Lab:

  • To run Matlab click twice on its icon.
  • Type commands at the >> prompt.
  • To execute a command, press Enter.
  • To edit a previous command and re-execute, use the up arrow key to find the command, make the changes and then hit enter.
  • Arithmetic with numbers is done as expected: + - * / all work in the usual way.
  • An object in Matlab is a matrix, i.e., a rectangular array indexed by rows and columns.
  • Exit Matlab in the usual way.

So what are the commands???

Matlab has a rich set of commands for which we need to learn the appropriate syntax. Here are a few websites with tutorials recommended by Math Works (Matlab's Producer):

Matlab for the Falling Rabbit

Last update on: June 1, 1998
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