CS 211 Lesson 1
Course Overview and Introduction to MATLAB
Quote:
The most important thing I learned is that soldiers watch what their leaders do. You can give them classes and lecture them forever, but it is your personal example they will follow. Colin Powell
Lesson Objectives:
Get to know your instructor and classmates
Understand the CS211 course objectives
Understand the CS211 course policies
Learn about the MATLAB Programming Environment
Learn the advantages and disadvantages of using MATLAB
Learn how to get help in MATLAB
Get MATLAB installed and configured on your laptop computer
Lesson:
A. Introductions
Instructors (Lt Col Bushey, Lt Col Wells, and Dr. Sincovec)
Students
B. Overview of the Course
Review the course syllabus.
Review instructor expectations -- that you will
bring your laptop computer with charged batteries (or a power cord) to every class.
attend both periods of every lesson.
read the lesson notes for each class session before the class session meets.
C. Overview of MATLAB
MATLAB (Matrix Laboratory) is a powerful tool for doing mathematics and general programming
MATLAB is widely used in the practice of mathematics, science, and engineering (especially in the Air Force)
MATLAB includes a command interpreter (a "super calculator") and a programming environment
The interpreted MATLAB programming language is a variant of the C programming language (with major changes from C)
The primary advantages of programming with MATLAB are:
the language and programming environment are relatively easy to use
MATLAB is widely used in the science and engineering community and well supported
MATLAB provides great support for a huge variety of mathematical operations and graphics
The primary disadvantages of MATLAB are:
MATLAB is expensive
MATLAB code generally is less efficient (runs more slowly) than other code (e.g., that of compiled languages)
the MATLAB programming language was not designed to support large software development efforts
MATLAB consists of the following components:
a command interpreter (command window)
a program editor (with integrated program debugger)
an extensive on-line help system
other minor component windows include the workspace and command history windows
Lab Work: Lab 1
Turn-in: Student Survey (upload it to the course web site using the "Submit Your Work" link or email it to me if the link if broken.)
References:
Chapman Textbook: sections 1.1-1.5