13  Getting Started

13.1 Technical setup

You’ll need an installation of MATLAB, preferably a recent version (i.e. in the last year or so). Where a specific version is needed, or doesn’t work with an example, it should be indicated alongside the exercise. See Section 13.1.1 below for more info on versions.

Follow the instructions on MathWorks.com to install.

No specific toolboxes are required.

Note There is no guarantee that anything in these materials will work with Octave. In fact it probably won’t. But let us know if you try!

13.1.1 MATLAB versions

A new version of MATLAB is released twice a year. The version numbers are comprised of the letter ‘R’ followed by the calendar year and ‘a’ if it’s the first release in the year and ‘b’ for the second. e.g. R2022b. Each version has improvements from the last and makes changes. It’s a good idea to be using the most recent version of MATLAB in most cases.

13.2 How to use these materials

13.2.1 Where to start

Anywhere you like! Hopefully the structure of the exercises included here means that you can dip in to any point that takes your fancy.

13.2.2 Prerequisites

These materials assume that you’re already familiar with the basics of programming in MATLAB. Variables, arrays, loops, reading in data and making plots etc.