MATLAB和Mathematica、Maple并称为三大数学软件。它在数学类科技应用软件中在数值计算方面首屈一指。MATLAB可以进行矩阵运算、绘制函数和数据、实现算法、创建用户界面、连接其他编程语言的程序等，主要应用于工程计算、控制设计、信号处理与通讯、图像处理、信号检测、金融建模设计与分析等领域。

MATLAB的基本数据单位是矩阵，它的指令表达式与数学、工程中常用的形式十分相似，故用MATLAB来解算问题要比用C，FORTRAN等语言完成相同的事情简捷得多，并且MATLAB也吸收了像Maple等软件的优点，使MATLAB成为一个强大的数学软件。在新的版本中也加入了对C，FORTRAN，C++，JAVA的支持。可以直接调用,用户也可以将自己编写的实用程序导入到MATLAB函数库中方便自己以后调用，此外许多的MATLAB爱好者都编写了一些经典的程序，用户可以直接进行下载就可以用。-MATLAB and Mathematica, Maple and called the three mathematical software. It is during a math class technology application software in the numerical calculations to none. MATLAB matrix operations can be performed, mapping functions and data, algorithm, creating the user interface, connect to other programming languages ​ ​ procedures, mainly used in engineering calculations, control design, signal processing and communications, image processing, signal detection, financial modeling design and analysis and other fields. MATLAB basic unit of data is a matrix, its instruction expression and mathematics, engineering, commonly used forms are very similar, so use MATLAB to solving the problem than with C, FORTRAN and other languages ​ ​ accomplish the same thing more simple, and also MATLAB absorb the advantages of software such as Maple, so MATLAB become a powerful mathematical software. In the new version also adds support for C, FORTRAN, C++, JAVA support. Can be calle