Introduction to Matlab

References:

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

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, go to http://gateway.uic.edu and follow the instructions for your computer and operating system.
  • 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 if you are running Vista 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".

Downloading and Installing MATLAB

The Spring 2010 TAs put together a nice set of instructions for acquiring and installing MATLAB at UIC. The following information is copied directly from their pages, ( with some slight re-formatting to fit this page. ):

When you download Matlab from the WebStore, you need to download two products- The software and a license, the latter of which arrives as a text file with a really big long number in it that you have to cut-and-paste during the software installation process. Both should be free if you use the download option, or a small fee if you want to go pick up a CD. If you plan to use it off campus, you need the virtual private network ( VPN client ) also ( see above. )

• Go to the Webstore insert Matlab in the Product Search search box and hit Go.
• Select the check boxes for Downloads and Concurrent License (first two).
  

• Scroll down and select the Payment method as Credit Card (UI Processing) and hit the Add to cart.
• Login with your UIC netid/password.
  

• Once you have the above two items in your cart, click on the indivial items and then proceed to download.
  
  

• Next go here for further instruction on installation.

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 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 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.