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--- matlab_-_introduction [2012/10/06 16:24] – added language about functions and file exchange jochen
+++ matlab_-_introduction [2012/11/12 16:52] (current) – [Command line] jochen
@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 Additionally, Matlab comes with a built-in Editor, supporting syntax highlighting and augmenting several of the core features of Matlab, as well as a Profiler, a tool to identify bottlenecks in code, i.e. a help to improve the run-time properties (time and memory consumption) of user-written code.
+==== Command line ====
+The command line allows the user to enter commands and inspect returned values (text output intermixed with input). Matlab shows a prompt (**''<nowiki>>></nowiki>''**) during normal operation and an extended prompt for debugging (**''<nowiki>K>></nowiki>''**). The command line offers a few additional functions which are extremely helpful:
+  * pressing the **''cursor-up''** key allows to cycle through previous commands, and if some text is entered before, only entries matching this text are presented
+  * the **''tab''**-key does not produce a tab-character (indentation) but instead Matlab attempts to auto-complete a series of letters to a "known expression" (variable, field, function, or file name, depending on context)
+  * when entering expressions with parenthesis (precedence of operations, function arguments, etc.) or brackets/curly braces, Matlab highlights matching pairs to confirm the completeness of the expression
+  * if an expression is incomplete (e.g. a **''for''** loop is constructed, but the final **''end''** keyword is missing), Matlab expects additional input on the next line (after pressing return)
+  * whenever an error is encountered while processing a line of input, Matlab indicates the exact position of the problem with a vertical line below the input (pipe character)
+  * output in the command window supports hyperlinks (in help texts for instance), which gives the user to immediately select a topic of reference for additional information
+  * the **''display''** function (which is automatically called when an expression is not terminated with a semicolon) provides auto-formatting for all built-in datatypes (incl. arrays)
+  * to change the current folder or load a MAT-file, drag-and-drop operations can be performed with either Finder (Mac) or Explorer (Windows), by dragging a folder or MAT-file name into the command prompt window
+==== Command history ====
+The history window is particularly useful when a series of commands is to be converted into an M-file (batch of function file grouping a set of commands/function calls into a new functionality). This can be achieved by selecting several entries (line by line selection) and then using the context menu (right-click or **''CTRL''**-click). To quickly repeat one specific instruction, an entry can also be double-clicked.
+==== Workspace ====
+Equally, the workspace window offers a context menu, which allows to rename variables, delete them from the workspace (same as **''clear VARIABLE''**), save the content of selected variables to disk, or alter their content.
+==== Current folder ====
+The current folder window is a feature-rich file browser, also with additional functionality in the context menu.