matlab

launches MATLAB, a computing environment for numerical computation

TLDR

Start MATLAB

$ matlab

Start without GUI (command line)

$ matlab -nodesktop

Run script and exit

$ matlab -batch "[script_name]"

Run with specific startup file

$ matlab -r "[startup_commands]"

Start without splash screen

$ matlab -nosplash

Run script with arguments

$ matlab -batch "[myscript('[arg1]', '[arg2]')]"

Start with reduced memory

$ matlab -nojvm

Show version

$ matlab -help

SYNOPSIS

matlab [-nodesktop] [-batch command] [-r command] [-nosplash] [options]

matlab launches MATLAB, a computing environment for numerical computation, visualization, and programming. It's widely used in engineering, science, and finance.The desktop provides an integrated environment with editor, command window, workspace, and figure windows. No-desktop mode offers command-line interaction for scripts and automation.Batch mode (-batch) executes commands and exits, suitable for automated workflows and scheduled jobs. It returns non-zero exit codes on errors, unlike -r which continues on errors.Scripts (.m files) contain MATLAB code. Functions define reusable operations. The MATLAB path determines which files are accessible.Without JVM (-nojvm), MATLAB uses less memory but loses desktop, figure windows, and some toolbox features. Useful for computation-only tasks on resource-limited systems.

PARAMETERS

-nodesktop

Start without desktop GUI.

-nodisplay

Start without display (no figures).

-nosplash

Skip splash screen.

-nojvm

Start without Java (limited features).

-batch COMMAND

Run command/script and exit.

-r COMMAND

Run command on startup.

-logfile FILE

Copy output to log file.

-sd DIR

Set startup directory.

-useStartupFolderPref

Use preference for startup folder.

-singleCompThread

Limit to single thread.

-help

Show help and version.

INSTALL

yay -S matlab

CAVEATS

Commercial license required. Large memory footprint. Startup time can be significant. Some toolboxes require additional licenses. Not all features work in nodesktop mode.

HISTORY

MATLAB was created by Cleve Moler in the late 1970s to provide students access to LINPACK and EISPACK without Fortran. MathWorks was founded in 1984 to commercialize it. MATLAB became the standard for numerical computing in academia and industry.