What is the difference between a vector and using linspace?

I know that sometimes the formula var_name = linspace (xi,xf,n) is used and sometimes var_name = [m:q:n] when do you differentiate between using either?

Answer 1

[Star Strider]

The linspace function produces a vector of fixed length (defined by the third argument) between the limits defined by the first two. The function determines the step size.

The colon operator defines a vector from the start, step, and end values, and as the result the length is determined by those values.

I generally use linspace when I want to determine the length, and usually use the colon operator when I want integer values in the vector. Personal preference, others likely have different views.