MATLAB, a software package for high-performance numerical computation and visualization, is one of the most widely used tools in engineering field today. Its broad appeal lies in its interactive environment with hundreds of built-in functions for technical computation, graphics, and animation. In addition, it provides easy extensibility with its own high-level programming language. Enhanced by fun and appealing illustrations,Getting Started with MATLAB 7: A Quick Introduction for Scientists and Engineers employs a casual, accessible writing style that shows users how to enjoy using MATLAB.

The features of this title include: familiarizes users with MATLAB in just a few hours though self-guided lessons; discusses new features and applications in MATLAB 7; covers elementary, advanced, and special functions; includes numerous new examples and problems; supplements any course that uses MATLAB; and works as a stand-alone tutorial and reference. MATLAB, a software package for high-performance numerical computation and visualization, is one of the most widely used tools in engineering field today. Its broad appeal lies in its interactive environment with hundreds of built-in functions for technical computation, graphics, and animation. In addition, it provides easy extensibility with its own high-level programming language. Enhanced by fun and appealing illustrations, "Getting Started with MATLAB 7: A Quick Introduction for Scientists and Engineers" employs a casual, accessible writing style that shows users how to enjoy using MATLAB.

Rudra Pratap is Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore.

2006-01-29 An easy Intro!

I think this is a really nice and user friendly book if you look for a painless intro to mathlab, or if you look for the quick and essential tips that can get you started hands-on with a few functions or programs. No prerequisites are needed!
Of the computer and programming tools out there in math and in CS, Matlab is probably the one that it tailored more directly to numerical computations and to matrices (to graphics too!); as opposed to symbolic manipulations, where perhaps Mathematica and Mable have an edge. Yet, these choices often come down to a matter of taste, and to what you are used to. Or what the book or the class is steering you towards.
Still, I noticed over the past year, that teachers and students involved with elementary numerical analysis, math, or CS courses have liked this little book. And yet, there are lots of other Matlab-books out there; as well as manuals, step-by-step guides, etc; and some are even free on the web. Thanks God for Google! But this little book seems especially attractive for beginners.
Review by Palle Jorgensen, January 29, 2006.