This chapter introduces MATLAB as a pivotal tool in civil engineering, emphasizing its integration of computation, visualization, and programming and provides a foundational understanding of MATLAB’s core features, including matrix operations, data analysis, and modeling, which are essential for solving complex engineering problems. It explores MATLAB's importance in various civil engineering applications such as structural analysis, optimization, and fluid dynamics, underscoring its role in enhancing design processes and decision-making. By guiding users through MATLAB’s setup and initial operations, this chapter lays the groundwork for applying the software in real-world engineering challenges. It also highlights MATLAB’s specialized toolboxes that cater to diverse engineering fields, offering civil engineers a versatile platform for innovation, simulation, and optimization in their professional practice. Ultimately, this chapter establishes the conceptual and practical framework for advanced applications discussed in subsequent chapters, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of MATLAB’s capabilities in civil engineering contexts.