1. Matlab: Matrix Laboratory

2. Difference

Matlab: numerical algorithm

Mathematica, Maple: symbolic algebra

3. Help

(1) In matlab command window,

help <function name>, for example, help plot

help [topics]

helpwin

demo

(2) search on the web

4. Tutorial:

basics:

http://mathcs.holycross.edu/~spl/MATLAB/matlab.html

http://math.uc.edu/~kingjt/matlab/tutorial_v4.html

flow control for MATLAB script:

http://www.mathworks.com/help/techdoc/learn_matlab/f4-1931.html