Matlab: A Practical Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving
Matlab: A Practical Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving discusses the basic programming concepts and skills needed for problem solving using MATLAB software. The book differs from other texts in that it teaches programming concepts and the use of the built-in functions in MATLAB simultaneously. Starting with basic programming concepts, such as variables, assignments, input/output, selection, and loop statements, problems are introduced and solved throughout the book.
The book is organized into two parts. Part I covers the programming constructs and demonstrates programming versus efficient use of built-in functions to solve problems. Part II discusses the applications, including plotting, image processing, and mathematics, needed in basic problem solving. The chapters feature sections called "Quick Question!” as well as practice problems designed to test knowledge about the material covered. Problems are solved using both "The Programming Concept” and "The Efficient Method,” which facilitates understanding the efficient ways of using MATLAB, and also the programming concepts used in these efficient functions and operators.
* Presents programming concepts and MATLAB built-in functions side-by-side, giving students the ability to program efficiently and exploit the power of MATLAB to solve problems.
* In depth coverage of file input/output, a topic essential for many engineering applications
* Systematic, step-by-step approach, building on concepts throughout the book, facilitating easier learning
* Sections on 'common pitfalls' and 'programming guidelines' direct students towards best practice
Why Read This Book
You should read this book to become productive in MATLAB quickly: it teaches programming constructs and MATLAB's built-in, vectorized functions side-by-side so you learn both how to code and how to use MATLAB efficiently. If you need a practical, example-driven path from basic scripts to solving engineering problems (plotting, numerical work, simple image/signal examples), this book gets you there.
Who Will Benefit
Novice engineers, undergraduate students, and practitioners who need to learn MATLAB for prototyping algorithms, data visualization, or coursework and want a hands-on, problem-solving approach.
Level: Beginner — Prerequisites: Basic high-school math and familiarity with algebra; no prior programming experience required but helpful if you know fundamental programming concepts.
Key Takeaways
- Write MATLAB scripts and functions to structure reusable code.
- Use array and matrix operations to replace slow loops and vectorize computations.
- Create informative plots and visualizations to analyze data and algorithm output.
- Apply built-in numerical and linear-algebra routines to solve engineering problems.
- Import/export data and perform basic image and data processing with MATLAB functions.
Topics Covered
- 1. Getting Started with MATLAB: Environment and Basics
- 2. Variables, Arrays, and Matrix Indexing
- 3. Expressions, Operators, and Built-in Functions
- 4. Scripts, Functions, and Program Structure
- 5. Control Flow: if, switch, for, while
- 6. Vectorization, Preallocation, and Performance Tips
- 7. Plotting and Graphics for Data Visualization
- 8. File I/O, Data Import/Export, and Text Processing
- 9. Debugging, Error Handling, and Code Organization
- 10. Numerical Methods and Linear Algebra Applications
- 11. Image Processing Basics and Practical Examples
- 12. Application Case Studies and Problem-Solving Strategies
- Appendices: MATLAB Tips, Common Functions, and References
Languages, Platforms & Tools
How It Compares
More focused on programming and problem-solving than MathWorks' Getting Started guides; compared with practical introductory texts like 'MATLAB for Engineers', Attaway emphasizes hands-on exercises and teaching programming concepts alongside built-ins.
