There are several ways to generate numerical solutions to ODEs that you will encounter in this class: using mathematical software (such as Maple and MatLab), or writing your own program. The option that is probably more convenient and that requires less startup overhead is using a mathematical software package. The disadvantage here is that the package acts as a black box and you will have less control over the process (this can be overcome). Writing your own program means having total control over the process, but the disadvantage here is rather more investment in start up if you have not already done this before.
In this handout, we briefly explain how one uses Maple to solve ODEs and to plot the results. For those who want to write their own programs, the notes for the Computational Physics class (PH 565/6) are useful, as are the sample programs.
Maple is available on the Physics Cluster. See Prof. Landau, or the system administrator about getting an account on the machine.