MATLAB Central Newsreader - Input variable from workspace within a function

Input variable from workspace within a function

First Last — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 18:02:25 -0400

I have a variable, var2, in my desktop workspace, which I
can manipulate, declare, and save just fine.

However, I have a function that utilizes the 'input' command
that asks, for instance:

function data = myfn
     variable1 = input('please input variable1: ');
     if isempty(variable1)
         do some task here
     end

     data = somecalc(variable1)
end

However I want to assign 'var2' to 'variable1' within the
function call. Without making it an input to the function (I
sort of just answered my question), is there a way of
addressing the variable workspace outside of the function's
workspace?

Thanks ...

Re: Input variable from workspace within a function

David — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 18:33:47 -0400

"First Last" <nospam@nospamplease.com> wrote in message
<fcucjg$k1q$1@fred.mathworks.com>...
> I have a variable, var2, in my desktop workspace, which I
> can manipulate, declare, and save just fine.
>
> However, I have a function that utilizes the 'input'
command
> that asks, for instance:
>
> function data = myfn
> variable1 = input('please input variable1: ');
> if isempty(variable1)
> do some task here
> end
>
> data = somecalc(variable1)
> end
>
> However I want to assign 'var2' to 'variable1' within the
> function call. Without making it an input to the
function (I
> sort of just answered my question), is there a way of
> addressing the variable workspace outside of the
function's
> workspace?
>
> Thanks ...

your 'desktop workspace' is commonly called the 'base'
workspace. each function (not script) gets its own
workspace. functions can access the base workspace using
the evalin and assignin commands, take a look at them in
the help for syntax.

Re: Input variable from workspace within a function

Adam — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 19:16:08 -0400

"David " <dave@bigcompany.com> wrote in message
<fcueeb$jnj$1@fred.mathworks.com>...
> "First Last" <nospam@nospamplease.com> wrote in message
> <fcucjg$k1q$1@fred.mathworks.com>...
> > I have a variable, var2, in my desktop workspace, which I
> > can manipulate, declare, and save just fine.
> >
> > However, I have a function that utilizes the 'input'
> command
> > that asks, for instance:
> >
> > function data = myfn
> > variable1 = input('please input variable1: ');
> > if isempty(variable1)
> > do some task here
> > end
> >
> > data = somecalc(variable1)
> > end
> >
> > However I want to assign 'var2' to 'variable1' within the
> > function call. Without making it an input to the
> function (I
> > sort of just answered my question), is there a way of
> > addressing the variable workspace outside of the
> function's
> > workspace?
> >
> > Thanks ...
>
> your 'desktop workspace' is commonly called the 'base'
> workspace. each function (not script) gets its own
> workspace. functions can access the base workspace using
> the evalin and assignin commands, take a look at them in
> the help for syntax.
>

^^ shudder

You "could" do it that what, but this is what's known as a
bad programming practice. (not a shot at dave, I just don't
want to encourage bad behavior)

use a script file:
  variable1 = input('please input variable1: ');

  workspaceData = myfcn(variable1, var2);

This calls your function file
  function data = myfn(variable1, var2)
      if isempty(variable1)
          do some task here
      end

      data = somecalc(variable1)
  end

~Adam