Getting Started

Command Line Editing

Various arrow and control keys on your keyboard allow you to recall, edit, and reuse commands you have typed earlier. For example, suppose you mistakenly enter

rho = (1 + sqt(5))/2

You have misspelled sqrt. MATLAB responds with

Undefined function or variable 'sqt'.

Instead of retyping the entire line, simply press the key. The misspelled command is redisplayed. Use the key to move the cursor over and insert the missing r. Repeated use of the key recalls earlier lines. Typing a few characters and then the key finds a previous line that begins with those characters. You can also copy previously executed commands from the Command History. For more information, see Command History.

The list of available command line editing keys is different on different computers. Experiment to see which of the following keys is available on your machine. (Many of these keys will be familiar to users of the Emacs editor.)

	Ctrl+p	Recall previous line
	Ctrl+n	Recall next line
	Ctrl+b	Move back one character
	Ctrl+f	Move forward one character
Ctrl+	Ctrl+r	Move right one word
Ctrl+	Ctrl+l	Move left one word
Home	Ctrl+a	Move to beginning of line
End	Ctrl+e	Move to end of line
Esc	Ctrl+u	Clear line
Del	Ctrl+d	Delete character at cursor
Backspace	Ctrl+h	Delete character before cursor
	Ctrl+k	Delete to end of line

Entering Long Command Lines

Graphics