MATLAB - Overview

MATLAB (matrix laboratory) is a fourth-generation high-level programming language and interactive environment for numerical computation, visualization and programming.

MATLAB is developed by MathWorks.

It allows matrix manipulations; plotting of functions and data; implementation of algorithms; creation of user interfaces; interfacing with programs written in other languages, including C, C++, Java, and FORTRAN; analyze data; develop algorithms; and create models and applications.
It has numerous built-in commands and math functions that help you in mathematical calculations, generating plots, and performing numerical methods.

MATLAB's Power of Computational Mathematics

MATLAB is used in every facet of computational mathematics. Following are some commonly used mathematical calculations where it is used most commonly −

• Dealing with Matrices and Arrays
• 2-D and 3-D Plotting and graphics
• Linear Algebra
• Algebraic Equations
• Non-linear Functions
• Statistics
• Data Analysis
• Calculus and Differential Equations
• Numerical Calculations
• Integration
• Transforms
• Curve Fitting
• Various other special functions

Features of MATLAB

Following are the basic features of MATLAB −

• It is a high-level language for numerical computation, visualization and application development.
• It also provides an interactive environment for iterative exploration, design and problem solving.
• It provides vast library of mathematical functions for linear algebra, statistics, Fourier analysis, filtering, optimization, numerical integration and solving ordinary differential equations.
• It provides built-in graphics for visualizing data and tools for creating custom plots.
• MATLAB's programming interface gives development tools for improving code quality maintainability and maximizing performance.
• It provides tools for building applications with custom graphical interfaces.
• It provides functions for integrating MATLAB based algorithms with external applications and languages such as C, Java, .NET and Microsoft Excel.

Uses of MATLAB

MATLAB is widely used as a computational tool in science and engineering encompassing the fields of physics, chemistry, math and all engineering streams. It is used in a range of applications including −

• Signal Processing and Communications
• Image and Video Processing
• Control Systems
• Test and Measurement
• Computational Finance
• Computational Biology