MATLAB

Like other well-known programming languages like Java, C#, etc., MATLAB has its own Integrated
Development Environment (IDE) and collection of libraries. Since it was initially known as the matrix
programming language, MATLAB is an acronym for "Matrix Laboratory." It is a programming language of
the fourth generation. It is a multi-paradigm, MATLAB. Therefore, it can be used with a variety of
programming paradigms, including functional, Visual, and Object-Oriented.

Cleve Moler, the department head of computer science at the University of New Mexico at the time, made
the initial discovery. He wanted to develop a different approach for his students to do linear algebra and
numerical computations without needing to utilize Fortran. Cleve Molar, Steve Bangart, and Jack Little
founded MathWorks in 1984 after seeing MATLAB's economic potential.

MATLAB Uses

The built-in functions of MATLAB offer top-notch resources for performing calculations, including
optimization, linear algebra, numerical solution of ordinary differential equations (ODEs), data analysis,
quadrate, signal processing, and many other scientific tasks.

Modern algorithms are used for most of these functions. There are many of these for both animations and 2-
D and 3-D graphics. MATLAB also supports an external interface.

The user can create their own functions in the MATLAB language. Thus they are not restricted to using only
the built-in functions.

Additional toolboxes are provided by MATLAB. These toolboxes were created for common uses such as
neural networks, symbolic computations, image processing, control system design, and statistics.

The various uses of MATLAB are:

 Developing algorithms

 Performing linear algebra that is linear

 Graph plotting for larger data sets

 Data visualization and analysis

 Numerical Matrix Computation

The various advantages of MATLAB are:

 MATLAB Compiler

 Ease of Use

 Device-Independent Plotting

 Platform Independence

 Graphical User Interface

 Predefined Functions

We will now look at each of the advantages more closely and in a detailed format to understand them better.

MATLAB Compiler

By converting MATLAB applications into a p-code that is machine independent and then, at runtime,
interpreting the p-code instruction, MATLAB is able to be flexible and independent of platforms. This
approach is comparable to that of Microsoft's Visual Basic programming language. Unfortunately, because
the MATLAB code, rather than being compiled, is interpreted, the resulting programs may run slowly.

There is a different MATLAB compiler available. With the help of this compiler, MATLAB programs can
be turned into genuine executables that execute more quickly than interpreted code. It is a terrific method to
turn a test MATLAB program into an executable that can be sold and provided to users.

Ease of Use

The program can be used to execute lengthy prewritten programs or as a scratchpad to evaluate command-
line inputted phrases. Applications can be created, modified, and debugged with the MATLAB debugger
and built-in integrated development environment. The language is ideal for quick prototyping of new apps
because it is so simple to use.

To make the software user-friendly, many program development tools are supported. They include a
workspace browser, an integrated editor/debugger, online documentation and manuals, and extensive demos.
Device-Independent Plotting

The imaging and basic plotting instructions in MATLAB are numerous. Any kind of graphical output device
offered by the machine running MATLAB can display the plots and images. This feature elevates MATLAB
to the level of a superior technical data visualization tool.

Platform Independence

Because MATLAB runs on a variety of computers, it offers a high degree of platform freedom. Linux,
various UNIX versions, Macintosh, Windows 2000/XP/Vista, and other operating systems all support the
language. Applications created on any platform will function fully on any other platform, and data files
created for any platform can ostensibly be read on any other platform. As a result, when the demands of the
user change, programs created in MATLAB can switch to new platforms.

Graphical User Interface

A program's Graphical User Interface (GUI) can be created interactively by a programmer using a tool found
in MATLAB. With this capacity, a programmer can create sophisticated data-analysis algorithms that
relatively inexperienced people can utilize.

Predefined Functions

A sizable predefined functions library included with MATLAB offers tried-and-true answers to many
common technical problems. Assume, for instance, that we are creating software that must assess the
statistics related to a collection of input data. To perform computations like the median, standard deviation,
arithmetic means, and other calculations, we would typically need to develop our own subroutines or
functions in the majority of languages. Your job will be considerably more comfortable thanks to the
hundreds of different services that are already included in the MATLAB programming language.

Since we have explored the various advantages of MATLAB, we will now dive into the various
disadvantages of MATLAB.

Disadvantages of MATLAB

The disadvantages of MATLAB are summarized below:

 Interpreted language

Let us look at each of these in a little more detail.

Cost

Five to ten times as expensive as a typical FORTRAN compiler or C is a full copy of MATLAB. MATLAB
is cost-effective for organizations since this relatively high cost is more than offset by the shortened time an
engineer or scientist must spend developing functional software. However, the cost prevents most people
from even considering buying it. Fortunately, MATLAB also offers a low-cost Student Edition, which is a
fantastic resource for students who want to learn it. MATLAB's Student Edition and Full Edition are nearly
identical.

Interpreted Language

The fact that it is an interpreted language and hence might run more slowly than a compiled language is its
first drawback. The MATLAB program can be correctly structured to check for this issue.