How to send ASCII value from MATLAB to microcontroller through RS232 serial port?

I need to send different ASCII values from my MATLAB program to the microcontroller based on some condition (if-elseif condition will be used). Since my laptop does not have an RS-232 port, I have used a USB to serial converter cable for that.

My microcontroller will perform different operations based on the ASCII values received from the computer.

The program is to be written in MATLAB. How will I initiate the communication, and what will the rest of the program be like? Can anyone help me with the program?

Also, will the use of USB to RS-232 converter cable require a driver software to be installed on my laptop? If yes, where can I get that driver software?