Files and Filenames

Naming Functions

A valid name for a MATLAB function file is composed of a string of letters, digits, and underscores, totaling not more than namelengthmax characters and beginning with a letter.

N = namelengthmax
N =
    63

Since variables must obey similar rules, you can use the isvarname function to check whether a filename (minus its .m file extension) is valid for a MATLAB function file.

isvarname mfilename

Back to Top

Naming Other Files

The names of other files that MATLAB interacts with (e.g., MAT, MEX, and MDL-files) follow the same rules as the MATLAB function files, but may be of any length.

Depending on your operating system, you may be able to include certain nonalphanumeric characters in your filenames. Check your operating system manual for information on valid filename restrictions.

Back to Top

Passing Filenames as Arguments

In MATLAB commands, you can specify a filename argument using the MATLAB command or function syntax. For example, either of the following are acceptable. (The .mat file extension is optional for save and load).

load mydata.mat           % Command syntax
load('mydata.mat')        % Function syntax

If you assign the output to a variable, you must use the function syntax.

savedData = load('mydata.mat')

Back to Top

Passing Filenames to ASCII Files

ASCII files are specified as follows. Here, the file extension is required.

load mydata.dat -ascii            % Command syntax
load('mydata.dat','-ascii')       % Function syntax

Back to Top

Determining Filenames at Run-Time

There are several ways that your function code can work on specific files without you having to hardcode their filenames into the program. You can

• Pass the filename in as an argument

     function myfun(datafile)

• Prompt for the filename using the input function

     filename = input('Enter name of file:  ', 's');

• Browse for the file using the uigetfile function

     [filename, pathname] = 
        uigetfile('*.mat', 'Select MAT-file');

For more information: See the input and uigetfile function reference pages.

Back to Top

Returning the Size of a File

Two ways to have your program determine the size of a file are shown here.

  -- METHOD #1 --                    -- METHOD #2 --
s = dir('myfile.dat');         fid = fopen('myfile.dat');
filesize = s.bytes             fseek(fid, 0, 'eof');
                               filesize = ftell(fid)
                               fclose(fid);

The dir function also returns the filename (s.name), last modification date (s.date), and whether or not it is a folder (s.isdir).

(The second method requires read access to the file.)

For more information: See the fopen, fseek, ftell, and fclose function reference pages.

Back to Top

Save and Load

Input/Output

Recommended Products

• MATLAB
• Signal Processing Toolbox
• Optimization Toolbox
• Statistics Toolbox
• Control System Toolbox

Get MATLAB trial software

Includes the most popular MATLAB recorded presentations with Q&A sessions led by MATLAB experts.

Get the Interactive Kit