What does MATLAB mean?

MATLAB software is a registered trademark, multi-model programming language, and numerical computing environmental system created by MathWorks. 'MATLAB' is the short-form of "Matrix Laboratory". The MATLAB software permits the utilization of matrix operations, graphical representation of data, execution of algorithms, development of user interface, and linking programs created in other languages. Even though MATLAB is developed mainly for numerical computing, there is an optional toolbox that uses a symbolic engine known as MuPAD giving access to all the symbolic computing abilities. In addition to this, a Simulink package delivers graphical multi-domain simulation and design that is model-based for embedded and dynamic systems. MATLAB users are spread worldwide across the world and use MATLAB extensively.

MathWorks is an American-based private company that practices exclusively in the mathematical domain of computer software. The prime developments of MathWorks include MATLAB and Simulink that favor Data Analysis and Simulation. It also uses the principles of Machine Learning, algorithm development, Deep Learning, and so on.

History

MATLAB was discovered by a computer coder and a mathematician called Cleve Moler. He initiated the creation of MATLAB for his students after receiving a post of a math professor at the University of New Mexico. Later, he became the chairman of the computer science department in the same university. Earlier MATLAB versions were easy matrix calculators when they were given to university students. Moler thought to use MATLAB software to create the MATLAB programming language. The software was liked typically by the math section of the campus-wide universities. Moler and John together concluded to reprogram MATLAB in C programming language, created the MATLAB programming language, placed toolbox features, and sold it to IBM who were changing the outlook of computers at that time.

MathWorks company was established to make the MATLAB programming language. MathWorks corporation sold their first 10 copies to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and after a couple of years down the line, John, along with the company relocated to Massachusetts and appointed a well-experienced computer executive to assist the regulation of the business. Towards the end of the 1980s, hundreds of MATLAB copies were sold for student use to universities and gained popularity primarily due to the development of toolboxes. MATLAB was again redrafted for the prior operating systems made by Sun Microsystems, VAX, and so on. Simultaneously, after updating and making newer versions, Simulink’s functionality was amplified by rewriting the user interface. Generally, MATLAB software includes “Command window” usage for performing text files comprising of the MATLAB code. MATLAB programs comprise structure datatypes and all the variables in MATLAB are arrays. Due to this, it is renamed suitably as a structure array along with supporting dynamic text and field names.

Classes and object-oriented programming

MATLAB favors object-oriented programming inclusive of classes, packages, and so on but the syntax and protocols have a particular difference with respect to other languages. MATLAB involves the existence of value and reference classes with handle as a super-class option. 

Graphics and graphical user interface programming

MATLAB also favors creating a graphical user interface (GUI) which can be produced either through coding or by visualization aids, or software. MATLAB contains an integrated graph-plotting feature that is closely bonded. For instance, the function plot may be utilized to generate a graph from two vectors x and y. Inside MATLAB programs, the code will be written as:

x = 0:pi/100:2*pi;

y = sin(x);

plot(x,y),

which gives the sine curve as the output.

Functions

When making a MATLAB function, the file’s name must suit the file’s first function. Valid names of the function start with an alphabetical letter inclusive of underscores and number but are case-sensitive. MATLAB contains calculus components by the introduction of function handles or references which are applied in M-files or simply nested.

MATLAB and other languages

MATLAB may demonstrate subroutines as well as functions written in programming languages like C or Fortran. MATLAB data types can be returned or passed by using a wrapper function. On compilation of such functions, MEX files (object files loading dynamically) are produced. Also, Python was added recently along with the latest technical updates. The .net extension can be directly associated with MATLAB. Complexity increases if calling MATLAB from JAVA but is feasible by the usage of a MATLAB toolbox that is retailed discretely or can be accessed through JMI (JAVA-to-MATLAB Interface). MATLAB can be attached to Maple or Mathematica as substitutes to the MuPAD symbolic math toolbox. Currently, MATLAB is the most famous numerical computer software package in the commercial world.

Recently, in 2020, media of Chinese claimed that MATLAB by MathWorks had taken out services from two universities of China as US sanctions result and in response, proclaimed to rise the open-source replacements and produce domestic substitutes.

M-file and MAT-files

It is advisable to create a MathWorks account for saving the progress and personal files. MathWorks account can be easily created for free. After developing the program in MATLAB, it is saved in an M-file (.m file extension) and the two types include are: scripts and functions. The program development includes creating a program, removing any bugs, program clean up, performance improvement, and cleaning it. In data export and import, usually, data is saved and loaded from the MATLAB session inside a binary data file especially created for MATLAB called as MAT-file.

Corporate affairs

MATLAB gives an atmosphere for engineers, coders, and researchers for analyzing and depicting data and algorithm development. Simulink is a graphical and simulation software for model-based design. Both of these dominating inventions are applied in aero physics, image processing, and different computational software and other branches.

Context and Applications

• Bachelors in Technology (Civil Engineering)
• Masters in Science (Construction Project Management)
• Masters in Science (Structural Engineering)
• Masters in Science (Civil and Environmental Engineering)

Practice Problems

1. What are the two lead development projects made by MathWorks?

1. MATLAB and Simulink
2. EISPACK and 中国
3. MuPAD and MAT-files
4. Site Performance and MathWorks

Correct option- a

Explanation: The two lead development projects made by MathWorks are MATLAB and Simulink

2. MATLAB used a symbolic math toolbox initially known as-

1. MathWorks
2. MuPAD
3. Stateflow
4. Data Acquisition Toolbox

Correct option- b

Explanation: MATLAB used a symbolic math toolbox initially known as MuPAD.

3. What is the file name of the .m file extension in MATLAB?

1. MAT-file
2. EISPACK
3. M-file
4. MathWorks

Correct option- c

Explanation: The file name of the .m file extension in MATLAB is M-file.

4. Which of the following statements is incorrect?

1. MATLAB was discovered by a computer coder and a mathematician called Cleve Moler.
2. Simulink is a graphical and simulation software for model-based design.
3. MATLAB also favors creating a graphical user interface (GUI) which can be produced either through coding or by visualization aids or software.
4. The two types of M-files are scripts and variables.

Correct option- d

Explanation: The two types of M-files are scrips and functions.

5. Which of the following is false?

1. MATLAB is the most famous numerical computer software package in the commercial world.
2. In 2020, the media of Chinese claimed that MATLAB had taken out services from two universities of China as a US sanctions result.
3. MATLAB was invented by John Little.
4. Towards the end of the 1980s, hundreds of MATLAB copies were sold for students use to universities and gained popularity primarily due to the development of toolboxes.

Correct option- c

Explanation: MATLAB was invented by Cleve Moler.

Related Concepts

• MATLAB’s Apple Hill campus-wide headquarters in Natick, Massachusetts
• Use MATLAB in the site performance of MATLAB online
• Data acquisition toolbox inside MATLAB system
• Deep learning and machine learning