Scribd
Upload
3 views

Function Deescription in matlab

The document compares script files and function files in MATLAB, highlighting that both are saved with a .m extension, but function files have local variables and must start with a function definition line, while script files can access workspace variables. It also introduces anonymous functions, which are simple user-defined functions that do not require a separate file and can be defined anywhere in MATLAB, replacing inline functions. Anonymous functions capture the values of predefined variables at the time of their creation and must be redefined to use updated values.

Uploaded by

Aymen Al Al-Baaj
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
3 views

Function Deescription in matlab

The document compares script files and function files in MATLAB, highlighting that both are saved with a .m extension, but function files have local variables and must start with a function definition line, while script files can access workspace variables. It also introduces anonymous functions, which are simple user-defined functions that do not require a separate file and can be defined anywhere in MATLAB, replacing inline functions. Anonymous functions capture the values of predefined variables at the time of their creation and must be redefined to use updated values.

Uploaded by

Aymen Al Al-Baaj
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

7.

7 COMPARISON BETWEEN SCRIPT FILES AND FUNCTION FILES


Students who are studying MATLAB for the first time sometimes have difficulty
understanding exactly the differences between script and function files since, for
many of the problems that they are asked to solve using MATLAB, either type of
file can be used. The similarities and differences between script and function files
are summarized below.
• Both script and function files are saved with the extension .m (that is why they
are sometimes called M-files).
• The first executable line in a function file is (must be) the function definition
line.
• The variables in a function file are local. The variables in a script file are recognized
in the Command Window.
• Script files can use variables that have been defined in the workspace.
• Script files contain a sequence of MATLAB commands (statements).
• Function files can accept data through input arguments and can return data
through output arguments.
• When a function file is saved, the name of the file should be the same as the
name of the function.
7.8 ANONYMOUS AND INLINE FUNCTIONS
User-defined functions written in function files can be used for simple mathematical
functions, for large and complicated math functions that require extensive programming,
and as subprograms in large computer programs. In cases when the
value of a relatively simple mathematical expression has to be determined many
times within a program, MATLAB provides the option of using anonymous functions.
An anonymous function is a user-defined function that is defined and written
within the computer code (not in a separate function file) and is then used in
the code. Anonymous functions can be defined in any part of MATLAB (in the
Command Window, in script files, and inside regular user-defined functions).
Anonymous functions were introduced in MATLAB 7. They replace inline
functions that were used for the same purpose in previous versions of MATLAB.
Both anonymous and inline functions can be used in MATLAB R2010b). Anonymous
functions, however, have several advantages over inline functions, and it is
expected that inline functions will gradually be phased out. Anonymous functions
are covered in detail in Section 7.8.1, and inline functions are described in the section
that follows.
230 Chapter 7: User-Defined Functions and Function Files
7.8.1 Anonymous Functions
An anonymous function is a simple (one-line) user-defined function that is
defined without creating a separate function file (M-file). Anonymous functions
can be constructed in the Command Window, within a script file, or inside a regular
user-defined function.
An anonymous function is created by typing the following command:
A simple example is: cube = @ (x) x^3, which calculates the cube of the input
argument.
• The command creates the anonymous function and assigns a handle for the
function to the variable name on the left-hand side of the = sign. (Function
handles provide means for using the function and passing it to other functions;
see Section 7.9.1.)
• The expr consists of a single valid mathematical MATLAB expression.
• The mathematical expression can have one or several independent variables.
The independent variable(s) is (are) entered in the (arglist). Multiple
independent variables are separated with commas. An example of an anonymous
function that has two independent variables is: circle = @ (x,y)
16*x^2+9*y^2
• The mathematical expression can include any built-in or user-defined functions.
• The expression must be written according to the dimensions of the arguments
(element-by-element or linear algebra calculations).
• The expression can include variables that are already defined when the anonymous
function is defined. For example, if three variables a, b, and c are
defined (have assigned numerical values), then they can be used in the expression
of the anonymous function parabola = @ (x) a*x^2+b*x+c.
Important note: MATLAB captures the values of the predefined variables
when the anonymous function is defined. This means that if new values are subsequently
assigned to the predefined variables, the anonymous function is not
changed. The anonymous function has to be redefined in order for the new values
of the predefined variables to be used in the expression.
name = @ (arglist) expr
The name of the anonymous
function.
The @
symbol.
A list of input arguments
(independent
variables).
Mathematical
expression.
7.8 Anonymous and Inline Functions 231
Using an anonymous function:

You might also like