Citing MATLAB help files

[Tim Booher]

Hello -- I need to know how to cite a matlab help file in a thesis.
For example, I need to cite that MATLAB has chosen the matrix
exponential method to be squaring and scaling the Pad{\'e}
approximation.

MLA references format is my needed standard.

Tim

[Ben Thouough]

There is no need whatsoever to cite the matlab help files. They are
ABSOLUTELY not an academic reference as they are not peer reviewed
and only written by some matlab tech who has no subject matter
knowledge.

Only reference the adademic source that MATLAB is referencing the
information in their help files can be considered general knowledge
and copied without citing.

HTH,

Dr. Ben T.

[Rod Maras]

I disagree. The Matlab folks are quite knowledgeable and if you have
used a help-file in your research, then you should cite it.

But I can't tell you how to cite them. Perhaps use a Tech-report
format.

but, then you need to know the publication year. perhaps, there is an
actual matlab manual that contains the help-file information that can
be cited as a book. i always use the electronic help files, though.

RM

[Gabriele Bulian]

Rod Maras wrote:
> I disagree. The Matlab folks are quite knowledgeable and if you have
> used a help-file in your research, then you should cite it.

I agree...in addition I would like to say a little thing that is maybe
OT. The way of retrieving information has changed since the massive
introduction of internet in the research. Several years ago it was
probably difficult to find a not very precisely referenced work.
Nowadays things are very different. If you just reference it as

"MATLAB: Online help of function ??? - Release ??" -
http://www.mathworks.com it

or something like this, it is much more than sufficient. Referring to a
very long direct link, that is likely to be subjected to changes, is not
a good idea, and I would refer to the main website.
I understand this is not a "classical" approach, but we should follow
the changes, so...if you have a ref like that above, and you don't find
exactly what you are looking for, then, just "google it"...
The reason of existence of the references is to allow other people to
get the same information the author(s) had...so...as far as the ref
allows to achieve this scope, then, it is sufficient...IMHO

Sorry for the partial OT...
Bye,
Gab

[Ben Vadaras]

Let me know if you find anything out. I would like an answer to this
too.

Regards,

BV

[Brad Harken]

Come on!

You simply _DON'T_ cite matlab help files.

Harken

[Jenteno Renalt]

Simple. Just cite it thus:

Matlab Help Files. "expm." Mathworks, Cambridge MA. 2002.

That should do the trick.

HTH,

Jenteno

[Ting Xu]

Don't thnik that is correct.

Pls refer to MLA sytle guide.

What know you to say correct style?

Please, what is correct. I want to know it.

Thank you Sir!

Ting Xu

[Mike Carrillo]

This is the most silly discussion I have ever heard.

there is no way to reference matlab help files.

It cannot be done.

Mike

[John D'Errico]

Balderdash.

Of course it can be done. Matlab files have a
copyright attached. As published documents, they
can be cited. You may feel such a citation is
inappropriate. That is only your opinion, and a
foolish one at that.

Its been suggested that the help is uncitable
because it may have been written by some lowly
"tech", rather than a true expert in the field.
This is also ridiculous. By that logic, no
papers or texts could be cited unless they were
written by the leading authority in the field.
Who is to decide who that true authority is?
Apparently you have chosen to nominate yourself.

ANY published document can be cited. All of
Matlab is a published document, offered for
sale by the MathWorks.

John D'Errico

[Scott Seidman]

"John D'Errico" <wood...@rochester.rr.com> wrote in news:ef28095.7
@webx.raydaftYaTP:

MLA does have a style for a Computer Program

Computer program:
Johnson, Susan. Zingers. Computer software. Computerola, 1991.

Hence,
Mathworks (as the copyright holder). Matlab. Computer Program. Mathworks,
year of version.

I'd assume "computer program" covers the program and its documentation.

If you don't go for this, go the the electronic documentation at
Mathworks, and cite the web page in the MLA style!!!

--
Scott
Reverse name to reply

[Tim Booher]

Thank you (at least those of you who had constructive comments) for
your information.

It is very helpful. I think citing matlab help files by their
relevant web-page is a good way to go.

Thanks and regards,

Tim

[Bjorn Gustavsson]

Ben Thouough wrote:
>
>
> There is no need whatsoever to cite the matlab help files. They are
> ABSOLUTELY not an academic reference as they are not peer reviewed
> and only written by some matlab tech who has no subject matter
> knowledge.
>
> Only reference the adademic source that MATLAB is referencing the
> information in their help files can be considered general knowledge
> and copied without citing.
>

For something to be science, as far as I understand, there are some
requirements. Repeatability is one. When that is difficult, or for
aid in that respect traceability (if that is good enough a word) is
an absolute requirement. For those requirements even exact versions
of computer programs might be more useful than the "adademic source".
Citing is not done to honor those we have followed - it is done to
help those to follow.