Introduction to MATLAB
Initial tasks:
-
Log in to a PC
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Open MATLAB
- Open this slideshow:
Note there is no sign in sheet. Attendance is recorded using the feedback form.
Gerard Capes, Research IT
Research-related IT Services
Described on IT Services website.
Announcements given via Research IT blog.
- Training courses teaching computing skills for Research
- General guidance and advice about research software
- Access to specialist support and consultancy e.g. code reviews
- Access to HPC systems
- Data storage and management
- Full list of services on offer
For help and support use the Support Centre
Housekeeping
- Fire exit
- Toilets
- Course timing
- 09:30 -- 12:00
- 12:00 -- 13:00 lunch
- 13:00 -- 16:00
Teaching methods
- Interactive workshop-style course
- Type along with the examples
- Test your understanding in the exercise sessions
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Course notes
- All examples and exercises are in the notes
- Slides will remain online after the course
Getting help
- Sticky notes
- Used for getting help and giving real-time feedback
- Green = OK / ready to go
- Red = not OK (too fast, didn't understand, computer says no etc)
- Please interrupt me to ask questions
- Peer learning
- During exercises, please help each other as required
- Please try to be quiet during worked examples so everyone can hear
What is MATLAB?
- MATLAB (MATrix LABoratory) is a programming environment with its own programming language, IDE and libraries (toolboxes).
- Major strength is matrix operations
- MATLAB has a large user base within Science and Engineering, and has extensive documentation
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Hence there is lots of shared code and libraries available
- Quick development is possible by building on what others have already done
- Semi-interpreted language, so not as quick as compiled languages
Accessing MATLAB
The University Of Manchester has a network licence for MATLAB which allows 616 concurrent research users (generally far fewer for toolboxes). This has several implications:
- Ensure connection to UoM network (on campus, or via VPN)
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Play nicely (don't hog the licence):
- Don't leave MATLAB running unnecessarily
- Don't open MATLAB on multiple hardware
Installing MATLAB
For managed desktops, automated installation via the Software Centre.
For unmanaged desktops, download from the ESD and manually install following instruction on the Applications page.
Read the terms of the licence before use - one point to highlight: students (including PG) are not allowed to install MATLAB on personally owned equipment.
Alternatives to MATLAB
GNU Octave
- open source MATLAB clone
- (mostly) source-code compatible
- free, but slower
Python
- a good general purpose programming language
- many add-on packages for scientific programming e.g. NumPy, Matplotlib
R
- Statistical computing and graphics
Fortran, C, C++
- Compiled languages which often run much quicker than MATLAB
Open the notes
Introduction to MATLAB
By gcapes
Introduction to MATLAB
Slideshow for Introduction to MATLAB training course
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