Using Matlab^9

Matlabis a software product for interactive numerics and graphics applica-
tions produced byThe Mathworkscorporation. Matlabwas initially devel-
oped as a virtual laboratory for matrix calculus and linear algebra. Today,
Matlabcan be described both as aprogramming languageand as acomputing
environment.

As a programming language,Matlabis roughly equivalent, in some ways
superior and in some ways inferior to traditional upper-level languages such as
Fortran 77, C, or C++.

As a computing environment,Matlabis able to run indefinitely in its
own workspace. Thus, a session defined by the values of all initialized vari-
ables and graphical objects can be saved and reinstated at a later time. In
this sense,Matlabis an operating system running inside the operating system
empowering the computer. Symbolic algebraic manipulation is available through
an add-on library (toolbox) that uses a kernel borrowed from the all-purpose
mathematical softoware productMaple.

An attractive feature ofMatlabis the availability of a broad range of
utility commands, intrinsic functions, and computational toolboxes, especially
graphics. A simplifying feature ofMatlabis that the dimensions of vectors
and matrices used in the calculations are automatically assigned and can be
changed in the course of a session, thereby circumventing the need for variable
declaration and memory allocation.

Appendix F explains the basic syntax and grammar of the language
and outlines the use of Matlabfunctions. Documentation is available at:
http://www.mathworks.com/access/helpdesk/help/techdoc/. Tutorials on
general and special topics can be found on the Internet, and links are provided
at this book’s Internet site.

Matlabmust be purchased and installed with a proper license. Inex-
pensive licenses are available for students and educators through educational
editions. On Linux, the educational version ofMatlabis installed as a stand-
alone application. On Windows, the installation CD-ROM must be present in
the drive at all times.