MathWorks Software -- MATLAB

See a brief description of the complete range of Mathworks software or go to the MathWorks website.

Mathworks software (MATLAB and other toolboxes) is available for most Unix/Linux, Windows, and Macintosh OS X platforms. A complete list of supported operating systems (including recommended processor, RAM, and disk requirements) can be found on the MathWorks website:

Windows systems   UNIX/Linux systems   Macintosh systems

License Policy: MathWorks software licenses are perpetual but to receive updates there is an annual maintenance fee of about 10-30% (depending on the toolbox) of the initial cost. You can opt-out of the annual maintenance but if you want to jump back in later, you have to pay all outstanding maintenance. For example, if you skip two years of maintenance and then want to jump back in in the third year, you will have to pay 3 years (2 + 1) worth of maintenance before you can get updated software. If you miss four years of maintenance you have to re-purchase the software anew. The advantages of paying annual maintenance is that you always have the latest version of the software and your costs are spread over several years.

The maintenance period is Jan. 1 to Dec. 31.

There are three license categories: Group (single computer), Concurrent (networks) and Classroom. People interested in purchasing MATLAB and other toolkits should complete the approriate order form.

Restrictions: UofT faculty and researchers

Cost: See the detailed prices on the appropriate order form.

Licence Period: Perpetual. However to get the most recent releases and updates you must pay an annual maintenance fee. Typically this is about 10%-30% of the original purchase price (depending on the particular product/toolbox).

Documentation: MathWorks has all their documentation (including product documentation, index of MATLAB examples, function list, tech notes, and "how-to" guides on their website. A good starting place is their support page.

Distribution: Complete the appropriate registration form and fax it to the address indicated on the form.

Tutorial: The Mathworks offer a free online tutorial that walks you through the basics of MATLAB. You can take the entire tutorial, or select an individual chapter specific to your needs. No prior MATLAB knowledge is required. This self-paced tutorial runs for approximately 90 minutes. Topics include:

• Using MATLAB as a graphical calculator
• Importing and extracting data
• Visualizing data
• Conducting computational analysis
• Fitting data to a curve
• Writing MATLAB programs
• Publishing MATLAB programs

Registration for the tutorial is free. Click here to sign up.

Support: The Mathworks has extensive online product documentation and help, including a large knowledgebase of previously solved problems. A strong user community provides file exchange, newsgroups, link exchanges, and blogs. Also, support questions can be sent via email to support@mathworks.com . You will need your licence number to get support.

U of T Contact: Haarriet (Hua) Ji <hua.ji@utoronto.ca> 416 978-2223

Vendor: MathWorks .