Directions for having MATLAB startup in your last working directory
This document provides directions on how to instruct MATLAB to begin in the final working directory from the previous session
of MATLAB. The simple directions require the modification of (or creation of) two files: startup.m and finish.m.
startup.m is executed every time MATLAB is launched. Directions on creating a startup.m file are at: (http://www.mathworks.com/access/helpdesk/help/techdoc/matlab_env/start_q4.shtml)
finish.m is executed every time MATLAB is shut down. Directions on creating a finish.m file are at: (http://www.mathworks.com/access/helpdesk/help/techdoc/ref/finish.shtml)
Copyright 2004 The MathWorks, Inc
Contents
Modification to startup.m
Add the following code to your startup.m file. This reads the last working directory from a MATLAB preference, and then changes
to that directory. The IF statement ensures that the preference exists. The TRY/CATCH eliminates errors if the last working
directory is not available (for instance, if it was deleted, or was on a network drive that is not accessible).
if ispref('StartupDirectory','LastWorkingDirectory')
lwd = getpref('StartupDirectory','LastWorkingDirectory');
try
cd(lwd)
catch
disp('Sorry, but I could not go to your last working directory:')
disp(lwd)
end;
end;
Modification to finish.m
Add the following code to your finish.m file. This stores your last working directory in a MATLAB preference.
setpref('StartupDirectory','LastWorkingDirectory',pwd)
