1. MATLAB The name of MATLAB stands for matrix laboratory. Starting a MATLAB Session -On Microsoft® Windows® platforms, start the MATLAB program by double-clicking the MATLAB R2009a shortcut on your Windows desktop. -Or from Start –All programs-Matlab

2. The Desktop of MATLAB When you start MATLAB, the desktop appears, containing tools (graphical user interfaces) for managing files, variables, and applications associated with MATLAB

3. The default MATLAB Desktop

4. The screen of MATLAB consist of four windows. These are the : -command window -command history window -current directory -workspace

5. Command window -used to type instructions of various types called commands, functions and statements. -MATLAB displays the prompt >> to indicate that it is ready to receive instructions.

6. Command history window -This window shows all the previous keystrokes you entered in the command window -It is useful for keeping track of what you typed

7. Current Directory window -use it to access files -Double clicking on a file name with the extension.m will open that file in the MATLAB editor

8. Workspace window: -displays the variables created in the command window

9. An Example interactive (Calculator) Session Note: MATLAB uses high precision for its computations. But by default it usually displays its results using four decimal places( short format )

10. Entering Commands andExpressions MATLAB retains your previous keystrokes. Use the up-arrow ↑ key to scroll back & back through the commands. Press the ↑ key once to see the previous entry, and so on. Use the down-arrow ↓ key to scroll forward. Edit a line using the left ← - and right → -arrow keys the Backspace key, and the Delete key. Press the Enter ↵ key to execute the command. You can see the previous keystrokes displayed in the Command History window. Execute by double click. You can copy (highlighting & ctrl+c) a line from Command history window, to Command window.

11. To explore the more advanced features of MATLAB not covered in this course, you will need to know how to use effectively the MATLAB. The MATLAB has Help System to get help for using Math Works products. MATLAB Help System consists of : 1-Help Browser 2-Help Functions 3-Other Resources The MATLAB Help System

12. Help Browser The Help Browser enables you to search and view documentation for MATLAB and other Math Works products. Help menu→ Product Help or click the question mark button in the toolbar

14. The Help Browser contains two window “panes” : a-Help Navigator b-Display Pane. The Help Navigator contains four tabs: 1-Contents: a contents listing tab. 2-Index:a global index tab. 3- Search: a search tab having a find function and full text search features. 4- Demos: a bookmarking tab to start built-in demonstrations.

15. Help Functions help funcname: Displays in the Command window a description of the specified function funcname. lookfor topic: Displays in the Command window a brief description for all functions whose description includes the specified key word topic. doc funcname: Opens the Help Browser to the reference page for the specified function funcname, providing a description, additional remarks, and examples.

18. Other Resources Search documentation for other MathWorks products. Books. Internet