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Using MATLAB

MATLAB (MATrix LABoratory) is a software package designed for scientific and engineering numeric calculations. It is useful for solving problems in applied linear algebra, general purpose numeric computation, algorithm prototyping, and special purpose problems with matrix formulations that arise in fields such as automatic control theory, statistics and digital signal processing. It also has graphics capabilities, including generation of files for the Calcomp plotter and laser printers. You can use MATLAB interactively or in batch mode.

Setting Up MATLAB

In order to use MATLAB, you must define its symbols and logical names.

To do this, type SETUP MATLAB at the DCL $ prompt. It will be necessary to do this each time you log into the VAX and want to use MATLAB. If you wish, you can put the SETUP MATLAB command in your login.com file so that it will be executed automatically each time you log in.

Using MATLAB Interactively

In order to invoke MATLAB, type MATLAB at the $ prompt. The MATLAB >> prompt will appear. Once you are inside MATLAB, you can type HELP for more information. There is also a demo available which can be run by typing DEMO at the >> prompt. To exit MATLAB, type QUIT at the >> prompt. Note that MATLAB is case-sensitive; e.g. 'QUIT' is not the same as 'quit'. Here is a sample MATLAB session: 

       $ matlab

                           

                (c) Copyright  The MathWorks, Inc. 1984-1991
                           All Rights Reserved
                       Version 3.5g     Mar 19 1991

             HELP, DEMO, INFO, and TERMINAL are available

        >> A = [1 2 3;4 5 6;7 8 0]

        A =

              1      2      3
              4      5      6
              7      8      0

        >> det(A)

        ans =

           27

        >> quit

Rather than type a series of commands at the >> prompt, you can, if you wish, use a text editor to create a program containing the commands you want to invoke. Your program must use the extension M. Then, once you have invoked MATLAB, you can run the program by typing its name (without the extension) at the >> prompt. The resulting output will appear on the terminal screen.

As an example, a program to produce the same output as the sample MATLAB session on the previous page, named simple.m, would look like this: 

       A  =  [1  2  3;4  5  6;7  8  0]
       det(A)

You would then type the word SIMPLE at the MATLAB >> prompt to generate your output.

Using MATLAB in Batch Mode

You can alternatively submit your MATLAB program as a batch job. In order to do so, you need to create a command procedure in addition to your program. The command procedure should be given the extension COM. You then submit your command procedure to a batch queue using the SUBMIT command:

submit/noprint/notify/que=QUENAME FILENAME

where QUENAME is either express, batch10, batch30 or batch60, and FILENAME is the name of your command procedure without the extension.

When the job is completed, you can inspect the LOG and LIS files for errors and program output.

As an example, if you wanted to submit the MATLAB program SIMPLE.M as a batch job, you might create the following command file (which we'll give the name CALC.COM): 

     $ setup matlab
     $ set default [USER.DIRECTORY]
     $ assign simple.m sys$input
     $ assign simple.lis sys$output
     $ matlab

This command file 1) sets up MATLAB symbols (unnecessary if this line is already in your LOGIN.COM file) 2) changes the default directory to one containing your matlab programs - use your username for USER and the appropriate subdirectory name for DIRECTORY 3) instructs the VAX to look for the input program in SIMPLE.M and place the output in SIMPLE.LIS and 4) run matlab. You would then type the following command at the $ prompt:

submit/noprint/notify/que=express calc

The resulting output would be found in CALC.LOG and CALC.LIS.

For More Help

For more information about using MATLAB, consult the following manuals available in 313A Clement Hall: "PRO-MATLAB User's Guide", "Control Toolbox User's Guide", "ROBUST-CONTROL TOOLBOX User's Guide." See also the handout "MATLAB and Graphics" available from Dr. Paul Tsai in 310 Clement Hall.

This page maintained by: Jim Johnson
For additional information, contact Paul Tsai, PTsai@tntech.edu
Last updated: December 14, 1998