Making Math Magic

Matlab’s graphics are a two way street especially since Matlab applications are often used to analyze multimedia input. Matlab is often used to develop DSP algorithms and displaying the inputs and outputs in a graphical form is often the best way to analyze the results of the algorithm. Matlab Data And Deployment Matlab is often used simply to crunch data. The result may be something like a graphic plot or a spreadsheet file that is exported to another application. It is possible to automate this process. Standalone applications can be created using the Matlab Compiler (available separately). The compiler can create standalone applications, Windows DLLs or Linux shared libraries that can be called by Fortran, C or C++ code, or software components like Java classes and .NET assemblies. The system can create applications that incorporate C or C++ code as well. It is also possible to create a Windows runtime package that is accessible by Windows COM applications including applications like Microsoft Excel. An m-code program can also be incorporated into a Simulink model. These models can in turn be converted into applications using the Real-Time Workshop and Real-Time Workshop Embedded Coder (available separately). Helping Others I found working with Matlab to be interesting but like most programming environments there is a large learning curve depending upon what you intend to do with it. Its interactive nature makes learning significantly easier in addition to being more productive in general. One place to turn if you are not learning about Matlab in school is the plethora of online resources. As with most open source material, you need to be aware of any licensing restrictions. Sometimes there are limits on commercial use. Still, almost all of these resources are useful in learning Matlab or about algorithms in general. Another Octave Trail versions of Matlab are available but there is another way to check out the programming model of Matlab. The Octave programming language is an open source project that is “mostly compatible with Matlab.” A majority of the core functionality is usable across both but there is enough difference to make transition between the two difficult in large projects. Likewise, moving from Octave to Matlab will usually be easier than the converse because of the built-in features and extensive support that Matlab provides. Octave lacks an advanced IDE but it can be used with IDEs like Eclipse. It can utilize graphing packages like gnuplot but this interface will be different than Matlab’s graphics interface. Octave is an active project that is covered by GPL (general public license). Obviously, source is available. Related Links Eclipse Foundation Mathworks GNU Octave