This document provides an introduction and overview of MATLAB. It discusses: - What MATLAB is, its history of being created in 1984 by Cleve Moler as a numerical computing environment and programming language. - Why MATLAB is useful for matrix manipulation, plotting functions and data, implementing algorithms, and creating GUIs. - The main components of the MATLAB structure including the command window, editor window, workspace, command history and current directory.

1. Lecture 1
Introduction to MATLAB
1
Eng. Mohamed Awni
Electrical & Computer Engineering
Dept.

2. Agenda
2
 What is Matlab & history?
 why use Matlab?
 Matlab Structure.
 Main Matlab Window.
 Matlab as calculator.

3. 3
What is Matlab & its history
• Stands for MATrix LABoratory.
• MATLAB is a numerical computing environment
and programming language.
• High level language for technical computing
• Created by The MathWorks 1984
• American mathematician and computer
programmer specializing in numerical analysis
Cleve Moler
Origins of MATLAB
http://www.mathworks.com/videos/origins-of-matlab-70332.html

4. MATLAB allows easy in:-
• Matrix manipulation.
• Plotting of functions and data.
• Implementation of algorithms.
• Creation of user interfaces (GUI).
• Interfacing with programs in other languages.
Why use Matlab?

5. 5
Matlab Structure
Matlab
Command Line
(Interactive Mode)
m-files
(Batch Mode
functions
mat-files
Command execution
like DOS command
window
Series of Matlab
commands
Data
storage/
loading

6. 6
Main Matlab Window
This sub window lists all variables that you have generated so far along with there type
and size.
Workspace
All commands typed on MATLAB prompt in the command window get recorded, even
across multiple session in this window.
Command History
The main window characterized by the MATLAB command prompt (>>)
Command Window
This is where you write, edit, create, and save your own script or programs in files called
m-files.
Editor Window
This is where all your files from the current directory are listed.
Current Directory

7. Main Matlab Window

8. 8
Matlab as calculator
• As an example of a simple interactive calculation, just
type the following expression 1 + 2 × 3 at the prompt
command >>
• Press Enter.
• The last calculation overwrites the previous calculation in
ans.

9. 9
Assigning the result of computation to the variable x
Matlab as calculator
Assigning results of computation to the variable z

10. 10
Exercises