matlab

Start MATLAB

$ matlab

$ matlab -nodesktop

$ matlab -batch "[script_name]"

$ matlab -r "[startup_commands]"

$ matlab -nosplash

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

$ matlab -nojvm

$ matlab -help

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.

-nodesktop

Start without desktop GUI.

Start without display (no figures).

Skip splash screen.

Start without Java (limited features).

Run command/script and exit.

Run command on startup.

Copy output to log file.

Set startup directory.

Use preference for startup folder.

Limit to single thread.

Show help and version.

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

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.

octave(1), python(1), julia(1), r(1)