MATLAB Tutorial

Introduction of MATLAB

In this MATLAB(stands for matrix laboratory) tutorial, we will cover core concepts of MATLAB and provide a solid foundation to enhance high computing skills. We are going to explore its features and various functionalities to get the most out of it and build high-end future-ready software. This tutorial is a perfect way to get started with basics and understand more advanced-level programming.

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What is MATLAB?

MATLAB is a high-performance computing language which is generally used by scientist, engineers and several branches like circuit branches, mechanical, electrical and computer science engineering in the development of Robotics, Deep Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Neural Networks, Data analytics, processing of image and so on.

It is primarily used for interactive graphical visualization by plotting graphs and 3D representation of data used in data analytics. So basically, it is a programming tool for graphical user interface (GUI).

It is written in C, C++ languages, supporting macOS, Windows, Linux operating systems.

Its official website is "www.mathworks.com," where you can find its documentation, community support, and necessary information regarding development.

History and Origin

MATLAB was invented and designed by CleveMolar who is an American mathematician and computer programmer. He designed it for his students as a hobby. Its commercial development happened in the year 1984 (37years ago) by MathWorks Inc.

Figure 1:CLEVE MOLAR

Its first version was used for matrix calculation with 71 pre-defined functions. It was distributed to universities, especially to math departments, free of cost. Later it evolved as a programming language for high Computation. However, it was just referred as a tool in its initial year. And latest version was updated (3 months ago) on 17th March 2021.

Prerequisite

A basic understanding of any programming language like C, C++, Java, Python, especially the syntax, mathematical Computation, and basic data types, is enough to begin the journey of learning MATLAB. Skills like problem-solving, aptitude, reasoning, logic building can be a good add-on.

Why We Use MATLAB?

In the field of science and technology, MATLAB has vast applications to ease out the complexity involved in developing high-end applications. Similarly, MATLAB can easily express problems and solutions in familiar mathematical notation in an easy-to-use environment, as MATLAB is a matrix-based language it becomes an easy task. And also it provides high-performance technical computation power.

Basic things like plotting custom-based graphs, creating a user interface, developing algorithms, represent graphical visualization can be smoothly done in MATLAB.

MATLAB's various in-built functions give an edge over other programming languages to build various models like building a mathematical model with the help of the math function of MATLAB.

Various Sectors(MATLAB’s FOOTPRINTS)

Millions of scientists and developers worldwide are currently using MATLAB. Autonomous systems are being built; real-time robotics solutions are being generated, intuitive embedded systems, various insights are produced, predictive maintenance systems are built with the help of MATLAB. So we can say that MATLAB has touched almost every sector.

Various sectors are like as follows.

Types of Toolboxes:

Advantages of MATLAB

  • Predefined functions make the job easy and save time.
  • MATLAB’s interactive environment promotes ease of use.
  • MATLAB’s compiler increases MATLAB’s adaptability.
  • Device-independent plotting.
  • Graphic user interface (GUI).
  • Platform independence.
  • Interpreted language so errors and bugs can be easily fixed.
  • Large datasets can be easily manipulated by using already programmed algorithms in MATLAB.
  • Mathematical calculations are easily made as MATLAB provides many predefined commands.
  • Visualization is done quickly without the need for time-consuming programming.
  • MATLAB has a rich in-built library for fuzzy logic and power systems.
  • Develops codes quickly for symbolic computation.
  • External libraries can be easily called and use.
  • Algorithm tuning, testing, and implementation are done smoothly.
  • Multimedia processing and storing into databases is done with ease.

Disadvantages of MATLAB

Two major disadvantages of MATLAB are

Few more limitations of using MATLAB

  1. As MATLAB is interpreted language rather than compiled, and execution time is more compared to other languages.
  2. It's expensive to afford a full copy of MATLAB for businesses.
  3. Occupies a lot of space in RAM; therefore, it limits working with large datasets.
  4. As MATLAB sits on "on top" of operating systems, it is challenging to build real-time software.
  5. It requires fast computing speed, so this might be an area of concern to MATLAB users based on their needs.
  6. It is not compatible with building a complete application or any framework as it creates many bugs that might lead to unusual consequences.

MATLAB Tutorial