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system - Execute operating system command and return result

Syntax

system('command')
[status, result] = system('command')

Description

system('command') calls upon the operating system to run command, for example dir or ls or a UNIX^[1] shell script, and directs the output to the MATLAB software. If command runs successfully, ans is 0. If command fails or does not exist on your operating system, ans is a nonzero value and an explanatory message appears.

[status, result] = system('command') calls upon the operating system to run command, and directs the output to MATLAB. If command runs successfully, status is 0 and result contains the output from command. If command fails or does not exist on your operating system, status is a nonzero value and result contains an explanatory message.

Note   Running system on a Microsoft Windows platform with a command that relies on the current folder fails when the current folder is specified using a UNC pathname because DOS does not support UNC pathnames. When this happens, MATLAB returns the error: ??? Error using ==> system DOS commands may not be executed when the current directory is a UNC pathname. To work around this limitation, change the folder to a mapped drive prior to running system or a function that calls system.

Examples

On a Windows system, display the current folder by accessing the operating system.

[status currdir] = system('cd')
status =
    0
currdir =
    D:\work\matlab\test

See Also

! (exclamation point), computer, dos, perl, unix, winopen

Running External Programs in the MATLAB Desktop Tools and Development Environment documentation

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^[1] UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group in the United States and other countries.

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