How do I access an element in an answer array directly?

I have a variable named snsr_type as defined below. I want extract just "Diff" and store it in snsr_type variable. I have to do this in 2 steps.

snsr_name = "Diff sensor A1";
snsr_type = split(snsr_name,' ');
snsr_type = snsr_type(1);

If I combine those last 2 lines like this, it errors out saying "Error: Invalid array indexing.". I've also tried wrapping the first part in () like (split(snsr_name,' '))(1). This also doesn't work.

snsr_type = split(snsr_name,' ')(1);

Is there any way of doing this simply in a single line? Or do I have to do this in 2 lines?

[Stephen23]

"Is there any way of doing this simply in a single line?"

snsr_type = split(snsr_name,' '); snsr_type = snsr_type(1);

[Kishore]

@Stephen23 Wow. This is almost the solution I wanted lol.

[Image Analyst]

🤣

[Paul Lambrechts]

How about:

snsr_type = extractBefore(snsr_name,' ');

[Image Analyst]

snsr_name = "Diff sensor A1";
snsr_type = extractBefore(snsr_name,' ') % Get first word, which is the sensor type

snsr_type = "Diff"

[Kishore]

Thanks @Paul Lambrechts and @Image Analyst. I think the extractbefore function will work in this very specific case. This question was more about accessing specific elements of an array directly in the same line as the (answer) array is being created. I do not think the extractbefore function is capable of that (for ex., what if my answer array is numeric).

Therefore, I think the solution for my question is still that it needs to be done in 2 steps as @Image Analyst answered earlier. Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

[Image Analyst]

Evidently you need to do it in two steps. A bonus though is that the two step method is much more readable and understandable. I think the single line way would be more confusing - a head scratcher for most people.

[Kishore]

I do agree with that legibility aspect.

Answer 2

[Walter Roberson]

Two approaches:

First = @(V) V(1);

snsr_name = "Diff sensor A1";

snsr_type1 = First(split(snsr_name,' '))

snsr_type1 = "Diff"

snsr_type2 = struct('Data', split(snsr_name,' ')).Data(1)

snsr_type2 = "Diff"

[Steven Lord]

A third (somewhat complicated) way:

snsr_name = "Diff sensor A1";
y = subsref(split(snsr_name, ' '), substruct('()', {1}))

y = "Diff"

[Stephen23]

The simplest approach is likely to be faster in many situations:

timeit(@f0)

ans = 6.7571e-07

timeit(@f1)

ans = 2.3588e-06

timeit(@f2)

ans = 4.9818e-06

timeit(@f3)

ans = 8.9755e-06

function f0()
snsr_name = "Diff sensor A1";
snsr_type = split(snsr_name,' ');
snsr_type = snsr_type(1);
end
function f1()
First = @(V) V(1);
snsr_name = "Diff sensor A1";
snsr_type = First(split(snsr_name,' '));
end
function f2()
snsr_name = "Diff sensor A1";
snsr_type = struct('Data', split(snsr_name,' ')).Data(1);
end
function f3()
snsr_name = "Diff sensor A1";
snsr_type = subsref(split(snsr_name, ' '), substruct('()', {1}));
end