| Extension | .mat |
| Category | images |
| Description | The .mat file format, a cornerstone of MATLAB, is used for storing various data types, including arrays and matrices. Over the years, this format has undergone several updates, notably Version 4, Version 7 (which became the default with MATLAB 7.0), and Version 7.3. The latter conforms to the HDF5 standard, which is particularly well-suited for handling large datasets. MAT-files, starting from MATLAB 7, introduced compression, improving file size and loading speed. |
| Technical details | MAT-files, while primarily designed for MATLAB, are compatible across different versions and can be accessed by other software programs through specific libraries. They have a hierarchical structure suitable for complex datasets, making them invaluable in fields dealing with large datasets, such as science, engineering, and data analysis. However, file size and performance may vary depending on the dataset's complexity and the compression level used. The .mat format is integral to MATLAB, a sophisticated computing language and interactive platform used for algorithm development, data visualization, data analysis, and numerical computation. It stores variables generated in MATLAB, including arrays, matrices, and other data types. Furthermore, MAT-files enable seamless data sharing between different MATLAB sessions and with other software compatible with the MAT-file format. |
