Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 1
MATLAB Introduction and the
Working Environment
1.1 MATLAB Introduction
MATLAB is a platform for scientific calculation and high level programming through an interactive environment
that allows for accurate resolution of complex calculation tasks more quickly than with traditional programming
languages. It is the calculation platform of choice currently used in the sciences and engineering and in many
technical business areas.
MATLAB is also a high-level technical computing interactive environment for algorithm development, data
visualization, data analysis and numerical calculations. MATLAB is suitable for solving problems of technical
calculation using optimized algorithms that for the end user are easy to use commands.
It is possible to use MATLAB in a wide range of applications including mathematical calculus, algebra,
statistics, econometrics, quality control, time series, processing of signals and images, communications, design of
control systems, test and measurement systems, modeling and financial analysis, computational biology, etc. The
complementary toolsets called
toolboxes
(collections of MATLAB functions for special purposes, which are available
separately) extend the environment of MATLAB allowing you to solve special problems in different areas of application.
It is possible to integrate MATLAB code in with other languages and applications, in addition to the distributed
algorithms and applications that are developed using MATLAB. Taken together, the functions, commands and
programming capabilities of the MATLAB ecosystem are a truly amazing collection.
Following are the important graphics related features of MATLAB:
•
A high level technical calculation language
•
A development environment for managing code, files, and data
•
Interactive tools for exploration, design and iterative solutions
•
Mathematical functions for linear algebra, statistics, Fourier, filtering, optimization, and
numerical integration analysis
•
Two-dimensional and three-dimensional graphics functions for visualizing data
•
Tools to create custom graphical user interfaces
•
Functions to integrate the algorithms based on MATLAB applications with external languages,
such as C/C++, Fortran Java, Microsoft .Net, Excel and others.
The MATLAB development environment allows you to develop algorithms and analyze data, display data files
and manage projects in an interactive mode featuring the Command Window, which is the hub of activity and is
shown in Figure
1-1
.
