MATLAB by rudra pratap

1. 7 Visit This Again
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1. 7 Visit This Again
We would like to point out a few things that vex the MATLAB beginners , perhaps,
the most. Although many of these things would prohably not make sense to you
right now, they are here, and you can come back to them whenever they seem
relevant.
In the past, file navigation in MATLAB has caused considerable problems for
users, especially the beginners. We have had numerous complaints from students
about not being able to make MATLAB find their file, get MATLAB to work from
their directory, get MATLAB to find and exec.ute the currently edited file, etc.
Fortunately, from MATLAB 6 onward, Math Works has incorporated several new
features that mitigate this problem immensely. The current directory is shown just
above the command window with the option of changing it with just a click of the
mouse. There is also a current directory subwindow to the left of the command
window that lists files in the current directory and gives you options of opening,
loading (Mat-file) , executing (M-file) , editing, etc., with the click of the right button
on the mouse. You can also change the directory there or add a particular directory
to the MATLAB path so that MATLAB has access to all the files in that directory
automatically.
If you do not save all your MATLAB files in the default Work directory or folder,
you need to be aware of the following issues.
1. Not being in the right directory: You may write and save many MATLAB
programs (M-files) but MATLAB does not seem to find them. If your files
are not in the current working directory, MATLAB cannot access them. Find
which directory you are currently in by looking at the small current directory
window in the toolbar or by querying MATLAB with the command pwd. If
you are not in the right place, guide MATLAB to get to the directory where
your files are. See Lesson 10 in the tutorials (Chapter 2).
2. Not saving files in the correct directory: When you edit a file in the
MATLAB editor/debugger window and save it, it does not automatically
mean that the MATLAB command window has access to the directory you
saved your file in. So, after saving the file, when you try to execute it and
MAT LAB does not find your file, follow item 1 above and set things right.
3. Not overwriting an existing file while editing: You run your program by
executing your M-file, do not like the result, edit the file, and run it again;
but MATLAB gives the same answer! The previou;;ly parsed (compiled) file
is executing; MATLAB does not know about your changes. This can happen
due to various reasons. The simple cure is, clear the workspace with clear
all and execute your file.
There are various other little things that cause trouble from time to time. We
point them out throughout the book wherever they raise issues.