book

MATLAB For Dummies

by Jim Sizemore, John Paul Mueller

November 2014

Intermediate to advanced

432 pages

9h 5m

English

For Dummies

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Introduction
About This BookFoolish AssumptionsIcons Used in This BookBeyond the BookWhere to Go from Here
Part I: Getting Started With MATLAB
Chapter 1: Introducing MATLAB and Its Many Uses
Putting MATLAB in Its PlaceUnderstanding how MATLAB relates to a Turing machineUsing MATLAB as more than a calculatorDetermining why you need MATLABDiscovering Who Uses MATLAB for Real-World TasksKnowing How to Get the Most from MATLABGetting the basic computer skillsDefining the math requirementsApplying what you know about other procedural languagesUnderstanding how this book will help youGetting Over the Learning Curve
Chapter 2: Starting Your Copy of MATLAB
Installing MATLABDiscovering which platforms MATLAB supportsGetting your copy of MATLABPerforming the installationActivating the productMeeting the MATLAB InterfaceStarting MATLAB for the first timeEmploying the Command windowUsing the Current Folder toolbarViewing the Current Folder windowChanging the MATLAB layout
Chapter 3: Interacting with MATLAB
Using MATLAB as a CalculatorEntering information at the promptEntering a formulaCopying and pasting formulasChanging the Command window formattingSuppressing Command window outputUnderstanding the MATLAB Math SyntaxAdding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividingWorking with exponentsOrganizing Your Storage LockerUsing ans — the default storage lockerCreating your own storage lockersOperating MATLAB as More Than a CalculatorLearning the truthUsing the built-in functionsAccessing the function browserRecovering from MistakesUnderstanding the MATLAB error messagesStopping MATLAB when it hangsGetting HelpExploring the documentationWorking through the examplesRelying on peer supportObtaining trainingRequesting support from MathWorksContacting the authors
Chapter 4: Starting, Storing, and Saving MATLAB Files
Examining MATLAB’s File StructureUnderstanding the MATLAB files and what they doExploring folders with the GUIExploring folders with commandsWorking with files in MATLABAccessing and Sharing MATLAB FilesOpeningImportingExportingSaving Your WorkSaving variables with the GUISaving variables using commandsSaving commands with the GUISaving commands using commands
Part II: Manipulating and Plotting Data in MATLAB
Chapter 5: Embracing Vectors, Matrices, and Higher Dimensions
Working with Vectors and MatricesUnderstanding MATLAB’s perspective of linear algebraEntering dataAdding and SubtractingUnderstanding the Many Ways to Multiply and DividePerforming scalar multiplication and divisionEmploying matrix multiplicationEffecting matrix divisionCreating powers of matricesWorking element by elementUsing complex numbersWorking with exponentsWorking with Higher DimensionsCreating a multidimensional matrixAccessing a multidimensional matrixReplacing individual elementsReplacing a range of elementsModifying the matrix sizeUsing cell arrays and structuresUsing the Matrix Helps
Chapter 6: Understanding Plotting Basics
Considering PlotsUnderstanding what you can do with plotsComparing MATLAB plots to spreadsheet graphsCreating a plot using commandsCreating a plot using the Workspace windowCreating a plot using the Plots tab optionsUsing the Plot FunctionWorking with line color, markers, and line styleCreating multiple plots in a single commandModifying Any PlotMaking simple changesAdding to a plotDeleting a plotWorking with subplotsPlotting with 2D Information
Chapter 7: Using Advanced Plotting Features
Plotting with 3D InformationUsing the bar() function to obtain a flat 3D plotUsing bar3() to obtain a dimensional 3D plotUsing barh() and moreEnhancing Your PlotsGetting an axes handleModifying axes labelsAdding a titleRotating label textEmploying annotationsPrinting your plot

Part III: Streamlining MATLAB
Chapter 8: Automating Your Work
Understanding What Scripts DoCreating less work for yourselfDefining when to use a scriptCreating a ScriptWriting your first scriptUsing commands for user inputCopying and pasting into a scriptConverting the Command History into a scriptContinuing long stringsAdding comments to your scriptRevising ScriptsCalling ScriptsImproving Script PerformanceAnalyzing Scripts for Errors
Chapter 9: Expanding MATLAB’s Power with Functions
Working with Built-in FunctionsLearning about built-in functionsSending data in and getting data outCreating a FunctionUnderstanding script and function differencesUnderstanding built-in function and custom function differencesWriting your first functionUsing the new functionPassing data inPassing data outCreating and using global variablesUsing subfunctionsNesting functionsUsing Other Types of FunctionsInline functionsAnonymous functions
Chapter 10: Adding Structure to Your Scripts
Making DecisionsUsing the if statementUsing the switch statementUnderstanding the switch differenceDeciding between if and switchCreating Recursive FunctionsPerforming Tasks RepetitivelyUsing the for statementUsing the while statementEnding processing using breakEnding processing using returnDetermining which loop to useCreating Menus
Part IV: Employing Advanced MATLAB Techniques
Chapter 11: Importing and Exporting Data
Importing DataPerforming import basicsImporting mixed strings and numbersDefining the delimiter typesImporting selected rows or columnsExporting DataPerforming export basicsExporting scripts and functionsWorking with ImagesExporting imagesImporting images
Chapter 12: Printing and Publishing Your Work
Using Commands to Format TextModifying font appearanceUsing special charactersAdding math symbolsPublishing Your MATLAB DataPerforming advanced script and function publishing tasksSaving your figures to diskPrinting Your WorkConfiguring the output pagePrinting the data
Chapter 13: Recovering from Mistakes
Working with Error MessagesResponding to error messagesUnderstanding the MException classCreating error and warning messagesSetting warning message modesUnderstanding Quick AlertsRelying on Common Fixes for MATLAB’s Error MessagesMaking Your Own Error MessagesDeveloping the custom error messageCreating useful error messagesUsing Good Coding Practices
Part V: Specific MATLAB Applications
Chapter 14: Solving Equations and Finding Roots
Working with the Symbolic Math ToolboxObtaining your copy of the ToolboxInstalling the Symbolic Math ToolboxWorking with the GUITyping a simple command in the Command windowPerforming Algebraic TasksDifferentiating between numeric and symbolic algebraSolving quadratic equationsWorking with cubic and other nonlinear equationsUnderstanding interpolationWorking with StatisticsUnderstanding descriptive statisticsUnderstanding robust statisticsEmploying least squares fit
Chapter 15: Performing Analysis
Using Linear AlgebraWorking with determinantsPerforming reductionUsing eigenvaluesUnderstanding factorizationEmploying CalculusWorking with differential calculusUsing integral calculusWorking with multivariate calculusSolving Differential EquationsUsing the numerical approachUsing the symbolic approach
Chapter 16: Creating Super Plots
Understanding What Defines a Super PlotUsing the Plot ExtrasUsing grid()Obtaining the current axis using gcaCreating axis dates using datetick()Creating plots with colorbar()Interacting with daspectInteracting with pbaspectWorking with Plot RoutinesFinding data deviations using errorbar()Ranking related measures using pareto()Plotting digital data using stairs()Showing data distribution using stem()Drawing images using fillDisplaying velocity vectors using quiver()Displaying velocity vectors using feather()Displaying velocity vectors using compass()Working with polar coordinates using polar()Displaying angle distribution using rose()Spotting sparcity patterns using spy()Employing AnimationWorking with moviesWorking with objectsPerforming data updates
Part VI: The Part of Tens
Chapter 17: Top Ten Uses of MATLAB
Engineering New SolutionsGetting an EducationWorking with Linear AlgebraPerforming Numerical AnalysisGetting Involved in ScienceEngaging MathematicsExploring ResearchWalking through a SimulationEmploying Image ProcessingEmbracing Programming Using Computer Science
Chapter 18: Ten Ways to Make a Living Using MATLAB
Working with Green TechnologyLooking for Unexploded OrdinanceCreating Speech Recognition SoftwareGetting Disease under ControlBecoming a Computer Chip DesignerKeeping the Trucks RollingCreating the Next Generation of ProductsDesigning Equipment Used in the FieldPerforming Family PlanningReducing Risks Using Simulation
Appendix A: MATLAB Functions
Appendix B: MATLAB’s Plotting Routines
About the Authors
Cheat Sheet
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Overview

Plot graphs, solve equations, and write code in a flash!

If you work in a STEM field, chances are you'll be using MATLAB on a daily basis. MATLAB is a popular and powerful computational tool and this book provides everything you need to start manipulating and plotting your data. MATLAB has rapidly become the premier data tool, and MATLAB For Dummies is a comprehensive guide to the fundamentals. MATLAB For Dummies guides you through this complex computational language from installation to visualization to automation.

Learn MATLAB's language fundamentals including syntax, operators, and data types

Understand how to use the most important window in MATLAB - the Command Window

Get the basics of linear algebra to get up and running with vectors, matrices, and hyperspace

Automate your work with programming scripts and functions

Plot graphs in 2D and 3D to visualize your data

Includes a handy guide for MATLAB's functions and plotting routines

MATLAB is an essential part of the analysis arsenal and MATLAB For Dummies provides clear, thorough guidance to get the most out of your data.

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