What is wrong with the code?

I have this small code:

function test
  L = 10;
  t = existing_chk('L',uigetdir)
function x = existing_chk(name_x,a)
      chk = exist(name_x,'var')
      if chk == 0;
          x = a;
      else
          x = eval(name_x);
      end
end
end

The problem is that uigetdir is executed even though 'L' exists. I cannot figure out the problem

Answer 1

[Kelly Kearney]

The uigetdir function is being called on line 2 of your function, prior to existing_chk ever being called, since you have not enclosed the function name in quotes. The second argument of existing_chk should be a string. Replace that line with

 t = existing_chk('L','uigetdir')

You should probably avoid using eval too, but that's just general programming advice; the function should work as written.

[aditya]

Thanks Kelly.

Another thing - is there an alternative in this case to eval ?

Answer 2

[Daniel Shub]

MATLAB evaluates uigetdir before existing_chk, so that it can pass whatever uigetdir returns to existing_chk. Either turn the second argument into a function handle @()uigetdir and call a() or turn it into a string 'uigetdir' and call eval(a).