Best way(s) to master MATLAB?

Now, I am still a novice when it comes to programming. I believe MATLAB is definitely a great programming tool, one that I can play with, particularly, when I have free time.

I would love to hear from all answerers, what are the ways that can make one proficient in this field?

Thank you everyone! All great and helpful answers, but I have to pick and accept one, and so I am choosing the one with the most votes.

This isn't actually structured as a tutorial, but I tagged it as such because it contains information that should (ideally) be placed in to a tutorial.

Answer 1

If you prefer to learn in a more structured/classroom environment, I would recommend the training courses from MathWorks:

• MATLAB Fundamentals
• MATLAB-Based Optimization Techniques
• Parallel Computing with MATLAB
• Statistical Methods in MATLAB
• MATLAB For Data Processing and Visualization
• MATLAB For Building Graphical User Interfaces
• MATLAB Programming Techniques

Obviously, pick the ones that apply to what you want to do.

There are also some (free) interactive tutorials available on the MathWorks web site.

Arnaud

Thank you, Arnaud! Unfortunately, my country is not listed. Anyway, I'll check out the tutorials.

Which country is that? There is also live training via internet, see http://www.mathworks.co.uk/services/training/elearning/.

I'm from Malaysia, by the way, I will have to pay to attend these training courses, right?

Yes.

Contact details for Malaysia: http://www.mathworks.co.uk/company/worldwide/country.html?code=my

Appreciate the prompt reply, but I think I will have to resort to self-learning for the time being. Thanks!

OK. There are also various books that can help:
http://www.mathworks.co.uk/support/books/index_by_categorytitle.html

Answer 2

If you already have Matlab installed, type 'demo' in Matlab command window. Select 'Matlab' at the left column and you'll see three videos available for jump start. After that, type 'doc' and then find 'Matlab','Getting Started'. I taught myself Matlab this way.

Thank you, Fangjun Jiang, yes, I already have MATLAB installed. A vote for you for your input.

Answer 3

In addition to the recommendation of others:

I highly recommend the book, " Mastering MATLAB " by Duane Hanselman. This book takes the reader through the basics and covers advanced topics with many, many examples.

Thanks, another Matt!

Answer 4

See How to learn MATLAB.

Thank you for the link to the post, Andrew. I will bookmark it for my reference!

Answer 5

In addition to the above: Browse/play through "all" demos.

Thank you Bjorn!

Answer 6

1. What everyone else said. (Especially training & tutorials. Disclaimer: I'm not entirely impartial!)
2. Read blogs like Loren on the Art of MATLAB.
3. Play around on something like Project Euler.

Thanks, Matt!

Answer 7

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• ['trying/understanding others'' replies on ' ending]
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• Browsing the FEX

I'm pretty much self taught in MATLAB from the above.

Thanks for the input, Sean!

Answer 8

• MATLAB Interactive Tutorial

Answer 9

Get to know a Matlab expert if there is one around who can help you when you are stuck. In my school the older students helped the new students.