In 2002, I wrote a brief set of observations and thoughts on MATLAB® style for my coworkers. Other programmers found it useful, so I posted the “MATLAB Programming Style Guidelines” document on my website datatool.com. It has since been downloaded more than 40,000 times.

This book responds to that encouraging interest and incorporates what I have learned in the meantime. It joins a well-received series of style books on other languages, including The Elements of Java Style, The Elements of C++ Style, and The Elements of C# Style.

Much of the advice in this book may be familiar. This is deliberate because many of the programming principles described are valid across programming languages. However, the content has been extensively reworked and expanded here to address the unique characteristics of the MATLAB language and development environment environment, as well as the priorities and practices of MATLAB programmers.

Audience

This is a practical manual for the serious user who wants to become more productive. It provides guidance on clear and effective programming, particularly for those who develop with or for others.

This book is written for new MATLAB programmers who want to develop good habits, as well as for experienced MATLAB programmers who want to get better and to understand why others use different style conventions.

This book is not intended to teach you the MATLAB language, but rather it focuses on how MATLAB code can be written in order to maximize its effectiveness.