How to use the command 'matlab' (with examples)
The ‘matlab’ command is a powerful tool used for numerical computation and development in the MATLAB environment. It provides a way to run MATLAB statements and scripts from the command line. This article will illustrate three different use cases of the ‘matlab’ command.
Use case 1: Run without splash screen during startup
Code:
matlab -nosplash
Motivation: Running MATLAB without the splash screen can be useful in situations where you require a faster startup time or if you find the splash screen distracting. It allows you to directly start working with MATLAB without any initial visual distractions.
Explanation: The ‘-nosplash’ argument is passed to the ‘matlab’ command to disable the splash screen display during startup. This argument tells MATLAB to start without displaying the usual introductory splash screen, making the startup process faster.
Example output:
When running the command matlab -nosplash, MATLAB will start without displaying the splash screen and you will see the MATLAB command prompt directly.
Use case 2: Execute a MATLAB statement
Code:
matlab -r "matlab_statement"
Motivation: The ability to execute MATLAB statements from the command line allows for automation and integration of MATLAB functionality within scripts or other software applications. This can be useful when you need to perform specific calculations or operations without launching the full MATLAB interface.
Explanation: The ‘-r’ argument is used to specify a MATLAB statement to be executed. The ‘matlab_statement’ should be a valid MATLAB command enclosed in double quotation marks. This allows you to perform calculations, manipulate variables, or call specific MATLAB functions directly from the command line.
Example output:
Running the command matlab -r "disp('Hello, MATLAB!')", MATLAB will execute the MATLAB statement ‘disp(‘Hello, MATLAB!’)’, resulting in the output ‘Hello, MATLAB!’ displayed in the command line.
Use case 3: Run a MATLAB script
Code:
matlab -r "run(path/to/script.m)"
Motivation: Running MATLAB scripts from the command line can be useful when you want to execute a series of MATLAB commands sequentially or automate a specific task. It allows you to utilize MATLAB scripts as standalone programs without having to open MATLAB manually.
Explanation: The ‘-r’ argument is used to specify a MATLAB script to be executed. The ‘run(path/to/script.m)’ should be the path to the MATLAB script file enclosed in double quotation marks. This enables you to run a specific MATLAB script file directly from the command line.
Example output:
Assume you have a MATLAB script located at ‘C:\Users\username\Documents\script.m’ that calculates the sum of two numbers. Running the command matlab -r "run('C:\Users\username\Documents\script.m')", MATLAB will execute the ‘script.m’ file, displaying the output of the sum of the two numbers specified in the script.
Conclusion:
The ‘matlab’ command provides various ways to interact with MATLAB functionality from the command line. By using the different options and arguments, you can control the startup behavior, execute MATLAB statements, and run MATLAB scripts directly from the command line. This flexibility opens up possibilities for automation, integration, and quick calculations without the need to manually open the MATLAB interface.
