Controlling a stepper motor-basic equipment

[marellasunny]

I want to control the rotation of stepper motors using MATLAB GUI. Its for a bar linkage mechanism with 1 or 2 degrees of freedom. So,I'm thinking of fixing the motor shaft to one of the joints,thereby giving the input rotation.
What's the first step I need to take in getting the motor running and control? What are the parts I would need to buy first?
The internet says I need a "microcontroller with a usb port" and a "stepper motor driver".(+12V battery). Additional specs that can help, anyone?

 

[marellasunny]

i.e easydriver V4 for the driver and arduino mega for microcontroller. will they suffice?