Introduction to Matlab:

The MATLAB is a graphical and mathematical software package; it has graphical, numerical and programming capabilities. It has built-in functions to do lots of operations, and there are toolboxes which can be added to augment these functions (example, for signal processing). There are versions available for various hardware platforms, and there is both professional and student edition.

Whenever the MATLAB software is started, a window is open: the main primary part is the Command Window. In the Command Window, there is a statement which says:

In the Command Window, you must see:

>> 

The >> is termed as the prompt. In Student Edition, the prompt emerges as:

EDU>>

In the Command Window, the MATLAB can be used interactively. At the prompt, any MATLAB expression or command can be entered, and MATLAB will instantly respond with the result.

It is also possible to write programs in MATLAB that are contained in script files or M-files.