1.3. A minimum MATLAB session

The goal of this minimum session (also called starting and exiting sessions) is to learn the first steps:

• How to log on
• Invoke MATLAB
• Do a few simple calculations
• How to quit MATLAB

This section outlines the primary objectives of the minimum MATLAB session. It emphasizes that this session is designed to help users initiate MATLAB. The key points are how to log on, start MATLAB, perform some basic calculations, and exit the program. Understanding these steps is crucial for newcomers to effectively use MATLAB.

Think of this like learning to drive a car. Before you can hit the road, you need to know how to start the engine, how to operate the car's basic functions (like turning on the lights or radio), and finally, how to stop the car safely.

After logging into your account, you can enter MATLAB by double-clicking on the MATLAB shortcut icon (MATLAB 7.0.4) on your Windows desktop. When you start MATLAB, a special window called the MATLAB desktop appears. The desktop is a window that contains other windows. The major tools within or accessible from the desktop are:

• The Command Window
• The Command History
• The Workspace
• The Current Directory
• The Help Browser
• The Start button

Starting MATLAB involves logging into your computer and clicking on the MATLAB icon. Once opened, you will see the MATLAB desktop, which serves as a hub for your work. It includes various windows for input and output like the Command Window, where you can write commands, and other tools that help you manage your workspace, access command history, see available variables, and find help when needed.

Consider the MATLAB desktop like your workstation in a lab. You have different tools (windows) arranged around you: some for writing down your experiments (Command Window), some for keeping track of what you've done (Command History), while others help you organize your materials (Workspace).

As an example of a simple interactive calculation, just type the expression you want to evaluate. For example, let’s suppose you want to calculate the expression, 1+2*3. You type it at the prompt command (>>) as follows:

1+2*3 ans = 7 You will have noticed that if you do not specify an output variable, MATLAB uses a default variable ans, short for answer, to store the results of the current calculation.

In this chunk, you learn that MATLAB can be used like a simple calculator. You can type mathematical expressions directly into the Command Window. If you don’t assign a result to a variable, MATLAB automatically assigns it to a default variable called 'ans'. For example, typing '1 + 2 * 3' gives the result of 7. This shows how MATLAB processes mathematical operations efficiently.

Imagine you have a calculator where each time you press the equals button, it gives you the answer. If you want to remember that answer, you write it down (assigning it to a variable). If you forget to write it down, it's still there in your calculator’s memory (like MATLAB's ans feature).

To end your MATLAB session, type quit in the Command Window, or select File > Exit MATLAB in the desktop main menu.

Ending your MATLAB session can be done easily by either typing 'quit' in the Command Window or selecting the appropriate option from the File menu. This closes the program and ensures that your session ends properly.

Think about turning off your computer. You need to save your work and close all programs before shutting down, just like you need to properly exit MATLAB to make sure everything is saved and closed neatly.

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