As you use MATLAB you will create data files, function files, and script
files. While you can arrange for these files to be found by MATLAB no
matter where you put them (see 
Paths), it is simplest to use
the default behavior by putting all these files in a directory called
matlab in your home directory. To create this directory, do
(only once ever):
athena% mkdir 
/matlab
MATLAB will then use this directory for files unless you tell it not to.
(See M-files.) If you created this directory after starting a
MATLAB session, you will need to do addpath(' /matlab')
in MATLAB that session to tell it the directory exists; future sessions
will notice it upon startup.
To get a session of MATLAB, do
athena% add matlab
athena% matlab &
(if you have already done add matlab in that login session, you need not repeat it).
MATLAB may also be started from the Dash bar; it is in the ``Numerical/Math'' menu, under the ``Analysis and Plotting'' submenu.
When you start MATLAB, it creates a new xterm, with the MATLAB header and MATLAB .2ex>> prompt. As you create graphics in MATLAB, it will pop up additional windows for them.