Matlab Tutorial

Matlab is a program that was originally designed to simplify the implementation of numerical linear algebra routines. It has since grown into something much bigger, and it is used to implement numerical algorithms for a wide range of applications. The basic language used is very similar to standard linear algebra notation, but there are a few extensions that will likely cause you some problems at first.

The goal of the tutorials here is to provide a simple overview and introduction to matlab. The tutorials are broken up into some of the basic topics. The first includes a few examples of how Matlab makes it easy to create and manipulate vectors. The tutorials move from the simple examples and lead to more complicated examples.

1. Vectors

   A basic introduction on how to define and manipulate vectors in matlab. This is the most basic way that numbers are stored and accessed in matlab.

2. Matrices

   An introduction on how to define and manipulate matrices. We demonstrate how to create matrices and how to access parts of a matrix.

3. Vector operations

   Here we bring together elements of the first two tutorials. The real power of matlab is that the basic operations defined in linear algebra can be carried out with similar notation and a minimal number of programming steps.

4. Loops

   We introduce the basic loop construct used in matlab. We show how to define a for loop and provide an example of a how it can be used to solve a problem.

5. Plots

   A general overiew of the basic plotting commands is given. This is a very basic overview given to demonstrate some of the ways data can be plotted.

6. Executable Files

   An introduction is given on how to define files that contain command that matlab can execute as if they had been typed in at the command prompt.

7. Subroutines

   An introduction to subroutines is given. This is a more general way to provide an executable file in which generic arguments are passed back and forth through the command line.

8. If statements

   The basic control structure in matlab is the "if" statement which allows for conditional execution of certain parts of a code. This is useful when you have to check conditions before deciding what actions should be taken.

9. Data Files

   Matlab allows a number of ways to access data files for use in a session. The different ways to save all of the data, a particular matrix, and C style read write statements is examined. Also, the diary command is examined to demonstrate how a text copy of a session can be saved.