Introduction to the M-file Connexions Modules 1.1 2006/08/02 13:03:41.638 GMT-5 2006/08/03 14:27:28.681 GMT-5 Darryl Morrell morrell@asu.edu Darryl Morrell morrell@asu.edu Introduction LabVIEW MathScript MATLAB Octave This is an introduction to a set of Connexions modules on M-file languages and environments for freshman engineering problem solving. These M-file environments include MATLAB, LabVIEW MathScript, and Octave. MATLAB has emerged as a widely used computational tool in many fields of engineering. MATLAB consists of a programming language used in an interactive computing environment that supports the development of programs to solve complex problems. The MATLAB language has become a defacto standard that is also used by several other computational packages, including LabVIEW MathScript and Octave. Generically, we refer to these packages as m-file environments because the program files typically are identified by an extension of "m". The Connexions modules in this course are intended to introduce freshman engineering students to problem solving using an m-file environment. Most of the information in these modules applies to any m-file environment (MATLAB, LabVIEW MathScript, Octave, etc.). There are some differences between environments, and occasionally some material will be specific to a given environment. This material is offset from the surrounding text and labeled with the appropriate environment. For example: Matlab is a commercial product of The MathWorks. LabVIEW MathScript is a commercial product of National Instruments. Octave is an open source environment that is available without charge. Information about Octave is available at the Octave home page.