Create vector/matrix inside function

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Hi All,
I have a simple function file.
If I put something like this inside the function file; A = [1 2 3 4];
It will display this in the command window;
A = 1 2 3 4
But it won't save A in the Workspace as a vector.
How can I create a vector inside a function file and have that vector saved to my Workspace?
Thanks!

Accepted Answer

Stephen23
Stephen23 on 9 May 2016
Edited: Stephen23 on 9 May 2016
You return it as an output argument.
Like the MATLAB documentation clearly states, the best practice is to pass arguments:
So your function could be something like:
function [ct,A] = critPT( ... )
...
A = ...
ct = ...
...
end
and then call it:
[NewCT,newA] = critPT(...)
Note: the fact that you do not "see" the variable A in the base workspace is the whole point of functions: they should have independent workspaces, so that what happens inside any one function does not affect any other workspace. That is the point.

More Answers (1)

Stefan Raab
Stefan Raab on 9 May 2016
Hello,
this is because functions have their own workspace. There is a good explanation in the MATLAB doc, please execute the following commands in the MATLAB Command Window to open the help browser:
  • Information on workspaces in general:
web(fullfile(docroot, 'matlab/matlab_prog/base-and-function-workspaces.html'))
  • Information on how to share data between workspaces:
web(fullfile(docroot, 'matlab/matlab_prog/share-data-between-workspaces.html'))
I hope this will help you.
Kind regards, Stefan

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