Matlab Introduction

MATLAB is fourth-generation high-level programming language and interactive environment for numerical computation and visualization in an easy-to-use environment where problems and solutions are expressed in familiar mathematical notation. The word “MATLAB” stands for “MATrix LABoratory.” It is developed by “MathWorks” and the software is built up around vectors and matrices. Using Matlab, you can analyse data, develop algorithms, generating plots in 2D and 3D, create models, and applications.

Matlab is widely used in all areas of applied mathematics, education, research, industry and technical computing. It is one of the easiest programming languages for writing mathematical programs by using built-in commands and math functions. The software help you in mathematical calculations, linear algebra, numerical computation and programming. It a great tool for solving numerical integration, algebraic and differential equations.

Matlab also has some tool boxes useful for Digital signal processing, Modulation Techniques, Control system, Image processing and optimization. An additional package, Simulink adds graphical multi-domain simulation and Model-Based Design for dynamic and embedded systems.

Key points:

• Its basic data element is the matrix. A simple integer is considered as a matrix of one row and one column.
• Several mathematical operations that work on arrays or matrices are built-in to the Matlab environment. For example, cross-products, dot-products, determinants, inverse matrices etc.
• Adding two arrays together needs only one command, instead of a ‘for or while loop’.
• Matlab in not only a programming language, but a programming environment as well.
• You can perform operations from the command line, as a sophisticated calculator.
• You can create programs and functions that perform repetitive tasks, just as any other computer language.
• It provides vast library of mathematical functions for linear algebra, statistics, Fourier analysis, filtering, optimization, numerical integration and solving ordinary differential equations.
• Matlab's programming interface gives development tools for improving code quality and maintainability and maximizing performance.