Language Fundamentals Of MATLAB

Language Fundamentals

Syntax, operators, data types, array indexing and manipulation

MATLAB is an abbreviation for "matrix laboratory." While other programming languages usually work with numbers one at a time, MATLAB® operates on whole matrices and arrays. Language fundamentals include basic operations, such as creating variables, array indexing, arithmetic, and data types.

• Entering Commands
  Build and run MATLAB statements
• Matrices and Arrays
  Array creation, combining, reshaping, rearranging, and indexing
• Operators and Elementary Operations
  Arithmetic, relational, and logical operators, special characters, rounding, set functions
• Data Types
  Numeric arrays, character arrays, tables, structures, and cell arrays; data type conversion

Entering Commands

Build and run MATLAB® statements

Functions

ans	Most recent answer
clc	Clear Command Window
diary	Save Command Window text to file
format	Set Command Window output display format
home	Send cursor home
iskeyword	Determine whether input is MATLAB keyword
more	Control paged output for Command Window

Examples and How To

Enter Statements in Command Window

Enter individual statements in the Command Window while working in MATLAB.

Format Output

MATLAB displays output in both the Command Window and the Live Editor. You can format the output display using several provided options.

Call Functions

These examples show the syntax to call a MATLAB function.

Continue Long Statements on Multiple Lines

Extend long program lines using ellipses (...).

Create Shortcuts to Rerun Commands

A MATLAB shortcut is an easy way to run a group of MATLAB language statements that you use regularly.

Stop Execution

Stop the execution of a MATLAB command.

Find Functions to Use

Find the name and description of a MathWorks® function from the Command Window or Editor using the Function browser.

Find Text in Command Window or History

Search text currently in the Command Window or Command History Window.

Check Syntax as You Type

Some entries appear in different colors in the Command Window and the Editor to help you identify MATLAB elements. This is known as syntax highlighting.

Write to a Diary File

To keep an activity log of your MATLAB session, use the diary function.

Concepts

Variable Names

Create valid variable names and avoid potential naming conflicts.

Case and Space Sensitivity

MATLAB code is sensitive to casing, and insensitive to blank spaces except when defining arrays.

Command vs. Function Syntax

If you do not require any outputs from a function, and all of the inputs are character vectors, you can use command syntax. With command syntax, you omit parentheses in the function call and separate the inputs with spaces.

Command History

The Command History window displays a log of statements that you ran in the current and previous MATLAB sessions.

Set Command Window Preferences

Specify appearance of Command Window and its output.

Set Keyboard Preferences

Settings for Tab completion, function hints, and delimiter matching.

Troubleshooting

Common Errors When Calling Functions

Troubleshoot error message related to calling functions.