MATH/CMSC 206 - Introduction to Matlab
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What is Matlab?
Contents
Introduction
The name Matlab actually is an abbreviation for "Matrix Laboratory". In it's original form, Matlab was primarily used for working with matrices and vectors.
If you don't know what a matrix or a vector is, please click this link.
Over the course of many years, Matlab has evolved into a powerful interactive application for doing many flavors of mathematical computing. It can be used from the command line by typing in a sequence of instructions for Matlab to perform, or it can be used as a high-level programming language utilizing functions, control-flow statements, sophisticated graphics capabilities, etc. It can also do simulations of various kinds, aid in data visualization, help you design a graphical user interface, and much, much more.
In fact, we actually developed this entire website using Matlab!
The more you learn about Matlab, the more you will appreciate its vast capabilities! If you are doing computations of any kind, Matlab will make your life easier, as illustrated below:
Without Matlab:
With Matlab:
Self-Test
- Where did the name Matlab come from? (What two words is the name derived from?)
- What kind of software did the instructors of this course use to create the web pages that you are reading?