1. Lecture 4 MATLAB Windows Arithmetic Operators Maintenance Functions
Basic Math Functions
Help/Doc
Scripts
P: Drive
Comments

2. Fundamental components of MATLAB
MATLAB stands for Matrix Laboratory
MATLAB = a calculator + a lot more
A computing system that interprets one instruction at a time. Instructions MUST conform to a specific syntax and vocabulary.
A large library of modules that provide high-level capabilities for processing data.
A collection of toolboxes, some
providing graphical capabilities.
A graphical user interface (GUI) to
allow you to assemble your own
professional looking software.

3. Double Click to bring up the MATLAB Interface
Starting MATLAB
Opening MATLAB in LB172: computer should have a direct shortcut on the desktop
Any other LAB on campus, search:
If not, use Ernie (directions online)
Double Click to bring up the MATLAB Interface

4. DO NOT USE CITRIX IN THE LAB
Why? …

5. None of these are helpful to write re-usable code.
“Workspace”
“The Command Window”
“Current Directory”
Shows the variables that have been created.
“Your Calculator Screen”
You can do exactly as on your calculator: add, subtract, divide, multiple, use parentheses to override the order of operations…
Later on, you will realize you can do a LOT more in this frame.
This frame shows the files (excel, text, MATLAB files) that can immediately be used.
“Command History”
It will show all the commands executed previously.
None of these are helpful to write re-usable code.

6. 1. Basic Data Manipulation
Starting MATLAB leads to the prompt symbols >> in the command window
If you don’t see the prompt symbols, MATLAB is busy
MATLAB is loading
MATLAB is doing 1,000,000 calculations…
MATLAB has crashed
MATLAB is stuck

7. Overview: most Operators
There are 3 primary groups of operators
One operator is very different in programming compared to math
1. ARITHMETIC +
Addition -
Subtraction *
Multiplication
/,\
Division ^
Exponentiation,
i.e. “To the power of”
2. RELATIONAL
<
strictly less than
>
strictly greater than
<=
less than or equal to
>=
greater than or equal to ==
is equal to ~=
is not equal to
3. BOOLEAN
&&
“AND” ||
“OR” ~
“NOT” =
“the assign operator”

8. MATLAB as a Calculator
The MATLAB command window can be used as a boring old calculator.
Precedence is similar to most calculators with a few MATLAB specific things. Left to right based on these things:
Operator Symbol
Description
( )
Parenthesis
' ^
Transpose (M.O.T.L.) and Power
+ -
Signage (Positive/Negative), not Addition/Subtraction (yet)
* / \
Multiplication & Division
+ -
Addition & Subtraction :
Colon (More on this later)
Relational Operators (More on this later)
Logical Operators (More on this later) 8

9. MATLAB as a Calculator Mistake you’ll make at least once!
Power is before signage:
-3^2 is different than (-3)^2
Operator Symbol
Description
( )
Parenthesis
' ^
Transpose (More on this later) and Power
+ -
Signage (Positive/Negative), not Addition/Subtraction (yet)
* / \
Multiplication & Division
+ -
Addition & Subtraction :
Colon (More on this later)
Relational Operators (More on this later)
Logical Operators (More on this later) 9

10. Demo MATLAB as a calculator in the command window (without variables)
Any single line contains a command/statement/instruction (different words for the same concept)
The ans variable is the default location where MATLAB stores results.

11. Maintenance Functions
clear
clc
close all
commandwindow

12. Basic Math Functions
sin
cos
tan
sind
sqrt
abs
help vs. doc
help elfun

13. the “Editor”
“Open a new script file"

14. A new window: the Editor
This is where you’ll create a “script file”
Save these type of files (on your P:/ drive )
 absolutely re-usable

15. A new window: the Editor
“Dock” this window to make it part of the regular windows below

16. Final common setup! 16

17. 2. Run your statements (or hit F5)
How to write “code”…
2. Run your statements (or hit F5)
3. See your results here
1. Type your statements, your code, your instructions,… here
(Modify your statements, repeat cycle)

18. P: Drive
The P: drive is space provided by ERAU that you can access from any ERAU computer.
Getting files from your P: drive to your personal computer can be done through ERNIE/Citrix/Network File Access, but all the transferring must be done from within that program and it is sometimes grouchy.

19. Comments Comments are the most important part of your code.
Put the algorithm steps (7a) in comments before you start
Write the code that goes with the comments
Update the comments to make them more detailed where needed.
Someone else should be able to write your code based on your comments.
% <- Supported by all versions of MATLAB
%{ <- Must not have anything else on the line with open/close
%} (Not supported in versions before 7/R14/2004)

20. Lessons learned New Vocabulary Command window Workspace
Current Folder/Current Directory
Command History
Command
Statements
Instructions
Prompt symbols
Script file