How do I get MATLAB to automatically build a column of cell array data based on an array of varying numerical values?

I've been asked to build an M-file to help automate some plotting activities which utilize the gscatter command. Specifically, use the functionality of gscatter, and apply specific verbiage for the legend based on varying values. I've read about numerous attempts to automate plot creation - a lot of which is practical and useful. But when it comes to automating plot creation using the gscatter command, info is a little scarce.

So I started off by using the MATLAB example for the gscatter function. I typed the following into MATLAB:

load carsmall;
gscatter(Weight,MPG,Model_Year,'','xos');

I got the same plot as shown here:

http://www.mathworks.it/it/help/stats/scatter-plots.html?action=changeCountry&nocookie=true

Next, I created a cell array column (equal in size to the Model_Year data) containg the actual model years (in words) and called it LegCol: LegCol = {'seventy';'seventy'; .....'seventy six';'seventy six';.....'eighty two';'eighty two'};

Finally, I re-issued the gscatter function:

gscatter(Weight,MPG,LegCol,'','xos');

I get the same plot as before and the legend now contains the model years (in words) - as expected.

The approach seems to work, but I need a way for MATLAB to automatically create the cell array LegCol (based on the model years) - instead of doing it by hand.

Is there a way to do this?

Answer 1

[A Jenkins]

There are lots of ways. A couple simple examples you can play with to help you get started:

1)

year_names={70, 'seventy'; 
            76, 'seventy six';
            82, 'eighty two'};

for idx=1:size(Model_Year,1)
    for jdx=1:size(year_names,1)
        if Model_Year(idx)==year_names{jdx,1}
            LegCol{idx}=year_names{jdx,2};
        end
    end
end

2)

for idx=1:size(Model_Year,1)
    switch Model_Year(idx)
        case 70
            LegCol{idx}='seventy';
        case 76
            LegCol{idx}='seventy six';
        case 82
            LegCol{idx}='eighty two';
    end
end

[Brad]

As it turns out, the case statements are perfect for small data sets. And the approach is solid (when I remember ALL of the curly bracketts). Thanks.