Introduction to Matlab

References:

1. Hahn & Valentine, "Essential MATLAB for Engbineers and Scientists", Fourth Edition, Chapter 1

Downloading and Installing MATLAB

1. Go to http://www.uic.edu and search for "WebStore"
2. Once you get to the webstore, select "Personal Purchase" and "login"
3. When logging in you must give your full UIC e-mail address, e.g. astudent@uic.edu
4. Next search for "Matlab" in the product search box. Select a delivery method, add it to your cart, and proceed to checkout.
5. On your order receipt you want to look for several important items:
   1. The license file is the top download item. You need this file regardless of your platform, and you need to remember where you download it to. ( You will have to select it later on in the installation process. )
   2. You also need to download an appropriate version of the software for your particular hardware platform. I recommend getting the most recent version, but beware that the labs may have an older version installed.
   3. There is a very long number called the file installation key, which you will need to "type in" during the installation process. Obviously you want to cut-and-paste this, so you may want to keep your browser open to this page while doing the installation. ( Otherwise cut-and-paste the number into some text file where you can get at it later. )
   4. Click on the line that says "Click here for Matlab installation instructions" for the rest of the instructions on how to install Matlab.
6. Note that you can always get back to your order receipt by logging into the WebStore and selecting Order History.
7. Follow the instructions, and note these special points:
   1. You must run the installation program AS ADMINISTRATOR.
   2. In step 4, select "Install without using the internet".
   3. Step 6 requires the file installation key, which is that really big number you want to cut-and-paste.
   4. In step 7 you can decide whether to install the entire Matlab package, or only some of it. If you have enough room, I recommend installing the whole thing, with all the toolboxes. If you pick and choose, please include the Image Processing Toolbox, as this course often makes use of that toolbox.
   5. In step 10 you need to browse to the license file that you downloaded earlier.
   6. Item 12 says the installatin may take several minutes. THAT IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. Depending on your connection, it may take several hours, or overnight. ( Which may make it worth the $5 to get a CD version instead of a download version. )
8. The last step of the Matlab installation instructions points to the VPN page. Follow that link ( and a few more ) to get to the VPN download and instructions.

Downloading and Installing Virtual Private Network, VPN

• In order to use the free version of Matlab using the UIC campus license from off-campus machines, you must first install and launch the Virtual Private Network, VPN software. This makes your home computer look like it is on campus for the purposes of license verification.
• As of 1 April 2010 UIC has moved to OpenVPN, which is freely available to all UIC students, faculty, and staff.
• To get the VPN software, follow the link at the end of the instructions for installing Matlab ( see above. )
  • You will need to log in with your ACCC user ID and password. This needs to be done by the person who will be using the VPN software.
  • The good news is that once the software is installed, it will be pre-configured for your personal use.
  • Note that it is very important that you install and run the VPN software as administrator. To do this DOWNLOAD the VPN installer, and then right-click on it to select "run as administrator".
  • YOU MUST RUN VPN AS ADMINISTRATOR FOR IT TO WORK ! Once you have VPN installed, right click on the icon and select "Run as Administrator".

The MATLAB Working Environment

The most important features of the Matlab working environement are shown in the image below, and described in the bullet points that follow. Note that the Matlab environment is highly configurable, which means that it may not look exactly like this on your machine. ( You can try selecting Desktop -> Desktop Layout -> Default from the menubar, but that may still not give you this exact configuration, depending on your particular version. )

Five Important Windows

• The Command Window is where you type in Matlab commands. These can be simple equations you want evaluated, or more complex expressions involving Matlab scripts or functions.
• The Command History Window shows the commands you have entered in the past. You can repeat any of these commands by double-clicking on them, or by dragging them from the Command History Window into the Command Window. You can also scroll back to previous commnads by using the up arrow in the Command Window. When you learn how to edit Matlab script files or functions, you can also drag commands from the Command History Window into a file.
• The Workspace shows the list of variables that are currently defined, and what type of variable each is. ( I.e. a simple scalar, a vector, or a matrix, and the size of all arrays. ) Depending on the size ( i.e. type ) of the variable, its value may also be shown.
  • If any of the variables in the Workspace are plottable, they may be plotted quickly and easily by right-clicking on the variable name and selecting a plot type.
• The Current Directory Window shows the contents of the current working directory.
  • Double click on any file to open it in a ( text ) editor
  • Right-click on Matlab scripts and function files to execute the commands contained therein.
  • Right-click on data file to import the data as Matlab variables.
  • Change directories by clicking on folders or use the Current Working Directory text box at the top of the Matlab working environment.
• The File Details Window shows full details of the files in the current working directory.
• Windows may be re-arranged according to your personal preferences, including dragging windows away from the Matlab work environment.

Other Important Features

• The Getting Started link leads to the Matlab tutorial system. Although it is tempting to jump ahead to what you are most interested in, new users are encouraged to go through the tutorials in the order in which they are presented.
• The Help menu also provides a wide variety of useful sources of help.
• The Function Catalog ( if available ) provides a full list of every Matlab function, including installed toolboxes, in a neatly organized manner complete with full pop-up help descriptions of each function.
• The menu bar and tool bar are context-sensitive, which means that they change depending on which of the five major windows is active. ( They are also configurable according to your personal preferences. )

Quick and Dirty Matlab Script Files

• Any command that you can type into the Matlab command window can also be stored in a Matlab script file for later use.
• Matlab script files are plain-text files, and should end in a ".m" extension.
• "Running" a Matlab script file executes all of the commands in the file, just as if you had entered them into the Matlab Command Window. ( Except that the commands do not appear in the Command History Window, and are also not available using the up arrow. )
• Any plain-text editor can be used to create and edit Matlam script files.
• Matlab includes a plain-text editor, which can be invoked by double-clicking on an existing Matlab script file or by choosing "File->New" from the menu bar or via the new file icon on the toolbar.