How can I recursively process files in subdirectories using MATLAB?

How can I recursively process files in subdirectories using MATLAB?

I have files located in multiple subdirectories within a directory. I would like to be able to process the data in each subdirectory usng the same functions. How can I do this without having to manually run the code in each directory?

Answer 1

[MathWorks Support Team]

Processing the files in a directory hierarchy can be accomplished through the use of recursive functions. The general format is:

1) Call the recursive function with the name of a directory.

2) Use the DIR function to obtain a listing of the directory.

3) Loop through the entries in the listing.

4) If an entry is a directory, then call the function recursively, passing the subdirectory's name as the directory to process.

5) If an entry is not a directory, then process the file.

Please find an example file in the MATLAB Central submission SUBDIR:

http://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/1492

Note that MathWorks does not guarantee or warrant the use or content of these submissions. Any questions, issues, or complaints should be directed to the contributing author.

Answer 2

[lvn]

It is high time Matlab updates some of the official answers, as many are outdated.

This is an example, as of R2016b, no need for external tools:

files=dir('C:\temp\**\*.txt'); 
for k=1:length(files)
fn=fullfile(files(k).folder, files(k).name);
%process the file fn here
end

See also https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/429891-how-to-recursively-go-through-all-directories-and-sub-directories-and-process-files