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Best Practices for Using Files Provided by Other Users

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Ensure MATLAB Can Access the File Consult the File Details Page Look for Updates to the File Read the File Ask Questions

Ensure MATLAB Can Access the File

To ensure that MATLAB can access the file, the file must be in the current folder or its folder must be on the MATLAB search path. Here is one method to use:

1. Always choose the default Downloads folder as the download location

2. Add the Downloads folder and all its subfolders to the search path.

   For more information, see Adding Folders to the Search Path.

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Consult the File Details Page

Review relevant information on the file details page, including:

• The description, which can include advice.

• Required products, as reported by the author.

• The release number (version) for MATLAB, as reported by the author. If you use a different release, the file might not run as expected.

• Comments provided by other users, which can include tips and workarounds.

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Look for Updates to the File

A newer version of the file could address issues you have. Here are ways to find out about changes:

• View the last date the file changed on the file details page.

• View a history of changes made to the file. To see the changes, go to the file details page and click View More File Details. The file details page at MATLAB Central opens, and includes the log of updates.

• Get notification of changes to a file by adding the file to your watch list. To use the watch list, go to the file details page and click View More File Details. The file details page at MATLAB Central opens. On the page, select Watch this File.

When you download the new version of the file to the same location as the existing version, File Exchange:

• Replaces the existing version, if you have not changed the file.

• Changes the extension for the existing version to .bak, if you had changed the file.

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Read the File

You can learn more about how a file works by reviewing it:

• Open the file and skim the comments and code. Look for potential function or variable name conflicts between your files and the downloaded files. For more information, see About Name Conflicts and Shadowed Files.

• Look for a readme or related file, which could have been provided in the download folder.

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Ask Questions

If you still need help to use the file, try either of the following:

• Present your question in a comment about the file. For more information, see Providing Comments About a File.

• Contact the author. Select the author name on the file details page to display the author profile, which includes contact information.

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Downloading Files from the File Exchange Repository

Contributing to the File Exchange Repository

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