Video tutorial: Practical example: Fractal count

fifteen minute video showing the development of a simple algorithm.

Description

This will be most helpful to newer users of MATLAB.

Here at the MathWorks, one of our Core Values is Continuous Improvement. Part of that is about being process oriented- 'Clock building is better than time telling.'

Following that Core Value to talk about algorithm development, it takes more than just looking at finished algorithms (time telling), you need to look at the process of algorithm development (clock building). In that spirit, I wanted to present a video where I spend fifteen minutes in MATLAB developing an algorithm. You will see every line of code as it is written (and rewritten). Along the way, you will see:

* Short description of the algorithm to develop

* Creation and exploration of a test case

* Initial creation and reworking of the variable naming convention to avoid using 'magic numbers'

* Intermediate testing of algorithm

* Keeping code clean and readable

* Use of debugger to understand error messages

* Use of visualization techniques to understand output

* Effective use of MATLAB desktop tools

While the topic of the movie is an interesting little algorithm about fractals, the video is more about the process of programming in MATLAB.

See more videos without downloading here:

http://blogs.mathworks.com/pick/category/video

• MATLAB release: MATLAB 7.4 (R2007a)
• Other requirements: Just a flash player, should be in your browser. Added a .WMV version also
• HTML Files: fractalPixelCounter.html
• Other Files: fractalPixelCounter_nofp_bg.gif, ; fractalPixelCounter_preload.swf, ; fractalPixelCounter.swf, ; fractalPixelCounter_config.xml, ; fractalPixelCounter_controller.swf, ; fractal.wmv

[Neo E]

The ZIP doesn't seem to work...

[Il Park]

ZIP works for me~ Nice intro for beginners. Not much to learn for advanced users.

[Mike Briggs]

Got a bunch of students who are Matlab newbies. This is good for them.