1. MatLab Program Used to Calculate Interactive
May Be Used for Programming Complex Problems
Default name to store value is ans

2. MatLab Desktop : Command Window, Command History Window, Current Directory (Folder) Window

3. Terminology
Main Memory – part of the computer that contains values used when running a program
Identifiers – name (or label) given to a location in main memory that holds a value.
Variables – location in main memory that holds a value that might change
Constant – location in main memory that holds a value that will not change
Statement – command for the computer in language
Assignment – changing the value of a variable
Expression – anything in a program that has a value
Functions – a label (identifier) for code (statements) that might be run multiple times during a program

4. MATLAB Identifier Rules
Begin with one of a–z or A–Z
Have remaining characters chosen from a–z, A–Z, 0–9, or _
Have a maximum length of 31 characters
Should not be the name of a built-in variable, built-in function, or user-defined function
Always use descriptive identifiers

5. Assignment Statements
Assignment – giving a variable a new value.
The right hand side (a value) is evaluated and the value is assigned to the left hand side (a location) :
x=5; y=3;
z = x + y
z gets the value 8
z=2*x+y
now z gets the value 13
z=2*(x+y) ????

6. Expressions
Expression – anything that has a value (variable, constant, literal)
Operator – Symbol used to modify an expression
Operand – expression modified by an operator
Examples :
numStudents pi
numStudents + 14

8. Precedence
Precedence - which operator is applied first in an expression having several operators.
Parentheses ()
Exponent/Power ^
Unary plus + Unary minus -
Multiplication * Division /
Addition +, Subtraction -

10. MATLAB Functions and Constants
Matlab Functions Include :
sqrt(x)
log(x)
log10(x)
cos(x), acos(x), cosd(x), acosd(x)
sin(x), asin(x), sind(x), asind(x)
tan(x), atan(x), tand(x), atand(x)
Arguments (or parameters) – (the “x” above inside of parenthesis) must be the correct number, data type and order

12. MatLab Basics Semicolon (';') to suppress output
Click on fx to Show Available Functions
who to Show Variables and Values
whos to Show Variables and Values
help function to get description of function
clc to clear Command Window
clear to clear all variables

17. format Command Used to Control Format of Displayed Real Numbers
Sets Current Mode of Output
Default : format short
Examples :
format short : 4 decimal digits
format long : 16 decimal digits
format short e : scientific notation (exponent)
format bank : 2 decimal digits

18. Special MatLab Names ans : default location for answer
i : imaginary sqrt of -1
Inf : Infinity
NaN : undefined “Not a Number”
pi : π

20. MatLab Display disp(x) : Display the value of x
value = input('prompt') : prompt User with 'prompt'; wait for User input; place User input in value
stringValue = input('prompt', 's') : prompt User with 'prompt'; wait for User input; place User input in stringValue

21. MatLab Display
stringVariable = sprintf('information') : Store information in string Variable
%d – decimal value
%f – floating point (real) value
%s – string value
%5.2f – float value with minimum width of 5 and 2 decimal places
Ex. moneyLine = sprintf('Your change is %5.2f',change)

23. Computer Limitations Computers Are Not Infinite
Computers Have Maximum Speed
Computers Have Maximum Room to Store

25. Computer Basics Input Devices : Keyboard, Network
CPU : Central Processing Unit
Memory : Main Memory, Disk Memory
Output Devices : Printer, Monitor

26. Main Memory Storage Location of Data in a Computer
Used When a Program Is Running
“Wiped Clean” When Computer Rebooted
Bit: One Wire in Computer (generally represented by a 0 (off) or 1 (on) )
Byte: Basic Unit of Storage (Can Store One Letter of the Alphabet) (8 bits)
Kilobyte (KB): 1000 (or 1024) Bytes (Pages of Text)
Megabyte (MB): 1,000,000 Bytes (Large Pictures)
Gigabyte (GB): 1,000,000,000 Bytes (Music Files, Video Files)