Using a MAT-File Object to Save a Variable in Chunks

I need to save a 50 GB string variable to a MAT-file. I have noticed that when I use the save command, memory usage temporarily increases, perhaps while a copy of the variable is being made. To minimize the peak amount of memory I need, I’m going to break up the variable and try to save it in chunks using the MAT-file object, which I have not used before.

(Originally posted on Stuart’s MATLAB Videos blog)