Overview:
MATLAB allows matrix manipulations; plotting of functions and data; implementation of algorithms; creation of user interfaces; interfacing with programs written in other languages, including C, C++, Java, and FORTRAN; analyze data; develop algorithms; and create models and applications.
It has numerous built-in commands and math functions that help you in mathematical calculations, generating plots, and performing numerical methods.
Local Environment Setup:
Setting up MATLAB environment is just few clicks away. The latest installer can be obtained from here
MathWorks provides the licensed product, a trial version and a student version as well. You need to log into the site and wait a little for their approval.
After downloading the installer please follow the steps

Say next>>next and you are done. Once it is installed launch MATLAB IDE and it looks like as below:

The IDE will have following panels to work:
- Current Folder
- Command Window
- Workspace
- Command History