Like Most Popular Programming Languages Such As Java, C#, Etc., MATLAB Provides Developers With An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) And A Set Of Rich Libraries And Can Support Various Programming Paradigms.
Therefore, using different programming paradigms, such as functional, visual, and object-oriented, in MATLAB is possible.
Cleve Molar, head of the University of New Mexico’s computer science department, is known as an early developer of this robust programming language.
While designing this programming language, he had to create a different approach for his students to perform operations related to linear algebra and numerical calculations without using the Fortran programming language.
After seeing the economic potential of MATLAB, Cleo Muller, Steve Bangart, and Jack Little eventually founded MathWorks in 1984.
In what fields is MATLAB used?
By providing modern algorithms that can be used in various fields, such as animation and 2D and 3D graphics, MATLAB has opened the hands of programmers to create different projects. MATLAB built-in functions provide first-class resources for performing calculations, including optimization, linear algebra, numerical mathematics, ordinary differential equations (ODE), data analysis, signal processing, and scientific work. Also, MATLAB supports an external interface.
The user can create functions in the MATLAB language, so he is not limited to using built-in functions. In addition, additional toolkits have been provided by MATLAB to programmers so that they can program in this language used for developing neural networks, symbolic computing, image processing, designing control systems and statistics, etc.
In general, we must say that the MATLAB programming language has many uses in data analysis, algorithm development, model building, and applications. This programming language consists of various structures through which users can perform mathematical and computational operations.
Other uses of MATLAB include the following:
- Development of algorithms.
- Calculation of linear algebra and linear equations.
- Graphing for big data.
- Data visualization and analysis.
- Calculations on numerical matrices.
- Performing operations on matrices and arrays.
- Creating two-dimensional and three-dimensional structures.
- Estimation of differential equations.
- Information integration.
- Data conversion.
- Curve construction.
What advantages does MATLAB offer?
MATLAB is a high-level programming language close to human speech, interpretive and object-oriented. However, unlike most programming languages, it is not open source, and you must pay to use it. Of course, it can be used for free for 30 days. MATLAB requires main memory than its competitors, like Fusion, Mathematica, etc. But it offers powerful advantages such as getting output for C, C++, and graphic production in graphs and curves from MATLAB codes.
One thing you should pay attention to is that you should write and run MATLAB language codes only in MATLAB software. MATLAB codes can be easily integrated with other languages, such as Java, with the help of the application programming interface and C, and can be used in any infrastructure. In addition, by installing the Hardware Support package, MATLAB can be used to build applications for devices such as Raspberry Pi, Arduino, and other embedded devices.
Among the potential benefits of MATLAB, the following should be mentioned:
- Providing a powerful compiler to process programs.
- Ease of use.
- We are providing an efficient graphical user interface.
- We are providing predefined functions regardless of the platform.
- We provide the fastest integrated development environment for mathematical calculations such as matrices and linear algebra.
- We provide the best math libraries that support all aspects of math, from simple math operations to matrix inversions.
- We are providing a multi-threading technique to facilitate the parallel execution of algorithms.
- It provides an efficient graphics system (Simulink) that provides commands for displaying 2D and 3D data, image processing, graphics and animation, and high-quality diagrams illustration.
MATLAB compiler
MATLAThe mechanism on which MATLAB works is very similar to the model of Microsoft’s Visual Basic programming language. B provides flexibility and platform independence by converting MATLAB programs into machine-independent p-code and interpreting the p-code at runtime. Unfortunately, because MATLAB code is interpreted rather than compiled, the final programs run very slowly.
This problem made the programmers develop a compiler based on the original example. With the help of this compiler, MATLAB programs can be converted into executable files that run faster than interpreted codes. This is a great way to turn a MATLAB test program into an executable file that can be sold and delivered to users.
Ease of use
Programmers can create, modify, and debug programs with the MATLAB debugger and built-in integrated development environment. It doesn’t hurt to know that MATLAB is great for quickly prototyping new ideas that will become potential applications because it’s simple to use and doesn’t have complex syntax. To make MATLAB user-friendly, comprehensive development tools are provided, the most important of which are the built-in browser, integrated editor and debugging device, online documentation, manuals, and extensive demos.
Device-independent mapping
Basic drawing and imaging instructions in MATLAB are many and varied. This variety of graphs has enabled users to produce graphic output for different devices. This feature has made MATLAB an efficient data visualization tool.
Regardless of the platform
Since MATLAB can run on different systems, it offers the highest level of platform independence. So that it is possible to use it in various Linux distributions, different versions of Unix, Macintosh, and Windows, applications created on any platform are fully interoperable on other platforms, and data files created for any medium can be used on any other platform. As a result, whenever you transfer programs designed in MATLAB to another new platform, you won’t have any problems.
Graphical user interface
The graphical user interface of a program can be created interactively using the tools provided by MATLAB. In such a situation, a programmer can make complex data analysis algorithms that inexperienced people can easily use.
Predefined functions
A library of predefined MATLAB functions provides solutions to the most common technical problems. For example, suppose we are building software that evaluates statistics on input data. We must develop our subroutines or functions in different programming languages to perform calculations such as mean, standard deviation, arithmetic averages, and other measures. Thanks to the hundreds of additional services already included in the MATLAB programming language, this can be done easily.
MATLAB libraries
MATLAB has many application libraries in various fields, such as signal processing, artificial intelligence, neural networks, machine learning, solving differential equations, etc. However, it is possible to create and add separate libraries. In addition, third-party plugins can also be used in this context. Functions and commands and how to use libraries have been examined in detail in the documentation section of this language.
What companies use MATLAB?
MATLAB has provided many practical tools to programmers. For this reason, various industries use it widely, especially in the aerospace and defense fields. These companies use MATLAB in initial sampling and software tests written in this language. MATLAB is also used to develop fuel consumption and control systems in the automobile manufacturing industry.
Another industry that has extensive use of MATLAB is the robotics industry. For example, Mathworks, the developer of this language, supports a variety of hardware that provides professionals with efficient capabilities to build robots with advanced capabilities based on this language.
Disadvantages of MATLAB
Since we have examined the various advantages of MATLAB, now it is time to explore the disadvantages of MATLAB as well. One of the significant disadvantages of MATLAB is its high cost and interpretation.
Cost
Typically, the cost of using MATLAB is many times higher than the common programming languages used by companies. However, MATLAB is cost-effective for organizations, especially academic environments, because organizations quickly experience a return on investment by building applied data science or machine learning projects. Today, MATLAB is taught to students in some country universities as a programming language. Usually, electronics students are familiar with this language. Fortunately, MATLAB offers a low-cost student edition that is an excellent resource for students who want to learn it. The student version of MATLAB is equipped with essential features that meet the needs of students.
Interpretive language
The fact that MATLAB is an interpreted language is undeniable; thus, it may run slower than a compiled language. Of course, as we mentioned, there are solutions to this problem, and these problems can be solved by applying a few changes.
What do we need to use MATLAB?
MATLAB can be installed on most of today’s modern operating systems. If you intend to use MATLAB on the Windows operating system, you must use the 64-bit version of Windows. MATLAB can be installed on Windows 7 Service Pack 1, Windows 10, 11, Windows Server 2016, 2019, and 2022. Also, at least 4 GB of the main memory, of course
8 GB is recommended and requires at least 2.9 GB of free hard disk space. If you want codes and programs to be processed and executed quickly, installing MATLAB on solid-state memory (SSD) is better. Additionally, the graphics card installed on the system must have at least 1 GB of memory and support OpenGL 3.3. The CPU must be of x86-64 architecture and support the AVX2 instruction set. The central processor must be equipped with four logical cores.
Download and install MATLAB
The installation process of MATLAB is not particularly complicated, and as mentioned, different versions of MATLAB are provided for other applications. For example, there are special editions for schools, startups, companies, and individual use. Each of these versions offers additional functionality for users. Of course, as mentioned, it can be used for 30 days without paying. Follow the steps below to get started:
Step 1
To download MATLAB, go to the official website at www.mathworks.com, select the desired language and click the option to download the trial software.
Step 2
After clicking on the trial link of the software, a new download web page will appear where you have to type your email address in the corresponding box.
Step 3
Next, you will be asked to create your account and answer some technical questions. In addition to asking for the location and email address you have already provided, you will be asked for what purpose you intend to use the MATLAB software. Select Personal Use or Entertainment Use, and then click Create.
Step 4
A new page will open. Select the email you entered. In this case, an email will be sent to you from MathWorks. Open the email and click on the confirmation link. After clicking on the confirmation email, you will enter a new page that allows you to download the software.
Step 5
First, download the MATLAB installer and set the requirements for the MATLAB environment. Once the file is downloaded, click on the executable file. The MathWorks Installer window will now appear (Figure 1).
figure 1
Since the first option, Log in with a MathWorks Account, is selected by default, we will use it. Click the Next button. Next, enter your email address and password in the corresponding fields (Figure 2).
figure 2
Step 6
The previously selected license ID is highlighted with a blue background in the license selection box. Here, you need to choose your license ID. This is the ID we will need later, so we suggest you write it down and click the Next button (Figure 3).
Figure 3
There is no need to change the folder location to install MATLAB. Click Next (Figure 4).
Figure 4
Step 7
In the next step, we reach the product selection window. By default, the latest version of MATLAB software is selected. Also, you can install MATLAB add-ons. After choosing the desired options, click Next (Figure 5).
Figure 5
Next, the Installation Selections window will appear. Select the desired options. A confirmation window will now appear. Here, you must confirm the items you download as part of the MATLAB installation and its add-on packages and click Install. Since the size of the files is large, you have to be patient. The download of all requirements will start after clicking on Install.
Step 8
After everything is downloaded, and the installation is complete, a message stating that MATLAB needs to be activated will be displayed. Now, click Next (Figure 6).
Figure 6
A new window will appear, asking for your email address and authorization ID to access the items. Enter the ID you noted earlier and click the Confirm button. Now the MATLAB installation process is complete, and you can use it. Click the Finish button. The MATLAB icon appears on the desktop. By clicking on it, the immediate environment of the software appears. Now let us briefly examine the MATLAB environment.
MATLAB environment (introduction of the workspace)
There are three main types of windows in MATLAB as follows:
- Command Windows: Used to enter commands.
- Edit Windows: Used to edit written codes and edit them.
- Figure Windows: shows charts and graphs.
command window
The main window is MATLAB integrated development environment. You enter all MATLAB instructions, including instructions for running programs, in this window—the MATLAB command line (<<) is where it receives commands. When you start a new project, MATLAB will show you this issue through the above window. This window in MATLAB is a part of the program that includes other smaller windows. The MATLAB execution environment is shown in Figure 7 along with the above window.
Editor window
Our programs are written, edited, created, and saved in files with the M extension. MATLAB ‘s built-in editor provides good support in this regard. However, we can use our editor and transfer the codes to the MATLAB editor. When using MATLAB, you must collect enough information about characters. One of the essential MATLAB characters that you should know about is the exclamation mark (!). This character causes MATLAB to temporarily transfer control to the local operating system to execute commands.
Shapes or graphics window
The graphics window is a separate gray window with a white background color that receives the output of any graphics command we copied into the command window. If there is enough memory on the system, there is no problem in opening these windows indefinitely.
Some common questions about MATLAB
In what fields is MATLAB used?
- Engineers and scientists can use the MATLAB programming environment to analyze, create, and test real-world systems and technologies. MATLAB is a matrix-based language that provides the most efficient capabilities for mathematical topics.
Is it possible to code in MATLAB?
- Therefore, the answer is yes. MATLAB is a high-level programming language that directly implements matrix and array mathematics. Users can perform various tasks in MATLAB, from executing basic interactive commands to creating complex programs.
What language is used in MATLAB?
- MATLAB itself is a high-level functional programming language.
Is MATLAB the same as CPlusPlus?
- While MATLAB codes can be compiled into C Plus Plus codes, MATLAB is a programming language. MATLAB uses a JIT compiler to convert programmers’ scripts into machine code.
What are the basics of mastering MATLAB?
To succeed in working with MATLAB, you should think about learning the following concepts:
- Mastery of MATLAB graphical user interface.
- Getting to know how to enter commands and create variables.
- Analysis of matrices and vectors.
- Data representation of matrices and vectors.
- Use of data files.
- Ability to use different data types.
- Ability to use scripts to automate commands.
- Creating programs using loops and branches.
Is MATLAB a tool or a language?
- MATLAB is one of the most popular research, analysis, and development tools. MATLAB toolbox provides specialized and robust solutions to professionals. Therefore, MATLAB should be described as an efficient programming tool that can be used for complex and technical projects.