How to read a 2 column plain text file into Matlab?

Below is a function I have to write - fread2col (a fuction to read a 2 column plain text file into matlab). When I run the below function, matlab command window only displays the first data column and not both columns of data which is what I want the function to resultantly do.

Below is my code written thus far, help on this issue would be much appreciated.

Written code below:

function [x,y,n] = fread2col(infile)

prompt = 'Enter the name of the datafile to be read' % user enters the textfile name to be read by fread2col
infile = input(prompt,'s');
data = load(infile);

x = data(:,1); % column 1 of the data text file is assigned the variable x

y = data(:,2); % column 2 is assigned the variable y

n = length(x); % the number of data points in each column is assigned the variable n

This is as far as I have gotten as the function is not working as I want it to and I don't understand why this is the case.

Answer 1

[Star Strider]

It would help if you attached your text file. It is difficult to see if you are reading it correctly without having it to experiment with.

My only suggestion is to change the load call to:

data = load(infile, '-ascii');

since it is a text file. See if that produces the results you want.

[Natasha]

I tried the example you provided above but it has made no change.

The text file I am trying to read is Hawaiian Coastline data I will attach the file.

Thanks

[Star Strider]

This works perfectly for me with R2014b:

infile = 'hawaii_coast.dat.txt';
data = load(infile, '-ascii');
x = data(:,1); % column 1 of the data text file is assigned the variable x
y = data(:,2); % column 2 is assigned the variable y

When I do:

SizeData = size(data)

I get:

SizeData =

      11613     2

and:

figure(1)
plot(x,y)
grid on

produces a map of the Hawaii Archipelago:

[AMMAR ELHAMDO]

Thank you, it is realy help me.

[Sivakumar Kaliyappan]

It is working

Thanks

[Star Strider]

@AMMAR ELHAMDO, @Sivakumar Kaliyappan — My pleasure!