Matlab

MATLAB - Overview
Overview
• MATLAB (matrix laboratory) is a fourth-generation high-level
programming language and interactive environment for numerical
computation, visualization and programming.

• MATLAB is developed by MathWorks.

• It allows matrix manipulations; plotting of functions and data;

implementation of algorithms; creation of user interfaces; interfacing
with programs written in other languages
Common Uses
• Signal Processing and Communications
• Image and Video Processing
• Control Systems
• Test and Measurement
• Computational Finance
Matlab Panels
• Current Folder − This panel allows you to
access the project folders and files.

• Command Window − This is the main

area where commands can be entered at
the command line. It is indicated by the
command prompt (>>).
Matlab Panels
• Workspace − The workspace shows all
the variables created and/or imported
from files.

• Command History − This panel shows or

return commands that are entered at the
command line.
MATLAB - Basic Syntax
• MATLAB environment behaves like a super-
complex calculator. You can enter
commands at the >> command prompt.

• MATLAB is an interpreted environment. In

other words, you give a command and
MATLAB executes it right away.
Basic Syntax
Special Variables and Constants
• MATLAB supports the following special variables and constants
Naming Variables
• Variable names consist of a letter followed by any number of letters,
digits or underscore.

• MATLAB is case-sensitive.

• Variable names can be of any length, however, MATLAB uses only first
N characters, where N is given by the function namelengthmax.
Use of Semicolon (;) and Comment
• Semicolon (;) indicates end of
statement. However, if you want to
suppress and hide the MATLAB
output for an expression, add a
semicolon after the expression.

• The percent symbol (%) is used for

indicating a comment line.
Common Operators and Special Characters
Common Operators and Special Characters
Common Operators and Special Characters
Relational Operators
Saving Your Work
• The save command is used for
saving all the variables in the
workspace, as a file with .mat
extension, in the current directory.

• You can reload the file anytime

later using the load command.
MATLAB - Variables
• In MATLAB environment, every variable is an array or matrix. You can
assign variables in a simple way.

• It creates a 1-by-1 matrix named x and stores the value 3 in its

element.
MATLAB - Variables
• Once a variable is entered into the
system, you can refer to it later.

• Variables must have values before they

are used.

• When an expression returns a result that

is not assigned to any variable, the
system assigns it to a variable named ans,
which can be used later.
MATLAB - Variables
• MATLAB will execute the statement
and return the result.

• You can have multiple assignments

on the same line
MATLAB - Variables
• The who command displays all the
variable names you have used. This is
useful if you have forgotten the variable
names.

• The whos command displays little more

about the variables
• Variables currently in memory
• Type of each variables
• Memory allocated to each variable
• Whether they are complex variables or not
MATLAB - Variables
• The clear command deletes all (or the specified) variable(s) from the
memory.

• Long assignments can be extended to another line

by using an ellipses (...).
Format
• By default, MATLAB displays numbers
with four decimal place values. This is
known as short format.

• However, if you want more precision,

you need to use the format command.

• The format long command displays 16

digits after decimal.
Format
• The format bank command rounds
numbers to two decimal places.

• MATLAB displays large numbers using

exponential notation.

• The format short e command allows

displaying in exponential form with four
decimal places plus the exponent.
Format
• Format long e

• format rat command gives the closest

rational expression resulting from a
calculation.