16-01-2013, 03:52 PM
A Guide to MATLAB
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Getting Started
In this chapter, we will introduce you to the tools you need to begin using
MATLAB effectively. These include: some relevant information on computer
platforms and software versions; installation and location protocols; how to
launch the program, enter commands, use online help, and recover from hangups;
a roster of MATLAB’s various windows; and finally, how to quit the software.
We know you are anxious to get started using MATLAB, so we will keep
this chapter brief. After you complete it, you can go immediately to Chapter 2
to find concrete and simple instructions for the use of MATLAB. We describe
the MATLAB interface more elaborately in Chapter 3.
Platforms and Versions
It is likely that you will run MATLAB on a PC (running Windows or Linux)
or on some form of UNIX operating system. (The developers of MATLAB,
The MathWorks, Inc., are no longer supporting Macintosh. Earlier versions of
MATLAB were available for Macintosh; if you are running one of those, you
should find that our instructions for Windows platforms will suffice for your
needs.) Unlike previous versions of MATLAB, version 6 looks virtually identical
on Windows and UNIX platforms. For definitiveness, we shall assume the
reader is using a PC in a Windows environment. In those very few instances
where our instructions must be tailored differently for Linux or UNIX users,
we shall point it out clearly.
Installation and Location
If you intend to run MATLAB on a PC, especially the Student Version, it is
quite possible that you will have to install it yourself.You can easily accomplish
this using the product CDs. Follow the installation instructions as you would
withany new software you install. At some point in the installation you may
be asked which toolboxes you wishto include in your installation. Unless you
have severe space limitations, we suggest that you install any that seem of
interest to you or that you think you might use at some point in the future.We
ask only that you be sure to include the Symbolic Math Toolbox among those
you install. If possible, we also encourage you to install SIMULINK, which is
described in Chapter 8.
Depending on your version you may also be asked whether you want to
specify certain directory (i.e., folder) locations associated withMicrosoft Word.
If you do, you will be able to run the M-book interface that is described in
Chapter 6. If your computer has Microsoft Word, we strongly urge you to
include these directory locations during installation.
Starting MATLAB
You start MATLAB as you would any other software application. On a PC you
access it via the Start menu, in Programs under a folder suchas MatlabR12 or StudentMATLAB. Alternatively, you may have an icon set up that enables
you to start MATLAB witha simple double-click. On a UNIX machine, generally
you need only type matlab in a terminal window, though you may first
have to find the matlab/bin directory and add it to your path. Or you may
have an icon or a special button on your desktop that achieves the task.