matlab pathfinder - problems with understanding - matlab

Question

I got an matlab-function which shall find files by returning their path. This is exactly what i need for my purpose. The problem is that the code is written by me. So I do not quite understand how this function works, especially the inputs which I do not understand.
I hope u can help me to understand this function.
Best regards!
Here is the code:
function B = getAllPaths(basepath, name)
temp=genpath(basepath);
A=regexp(temp,';','split');
j=1;
for i=1:length(A)-1
pfad=cell2mat(A(i));
if(exist([pfad name],'file'))
B(j)=cellstr(pfad);
j=j+1;
end
end
clear A i name pfad temp

Answer 1

I would write that function as
%// Get all child directories of 'basepath' that contain a file named 'name'
function B = getAllPaths(basepath, name)
A = regexp(genpath(basepath), ';', 'split');
B = A(cellfun(#(x) exist([x name],'file') ~= 0, A));
end
or
%// Get all child directories of 'basepath' that contain a file named 'name'
function B = getAllPaths(basepath, name)
if ispc
[OK,dirs] = system(['cd "' basepath '" && dir /s /b "' name '"']);
elseif isunix
[OK,dirs] = system(['find "' basepath '" -type f -name "' name '"']);
end
if ~OK
B = cellfun(#fileparts, cellstr(b), 'UniformOutput', false);
else
B = {};
end
end
MATLAB is interactive! So interact with it! Use any typical basepath and name and execute your function in the command window, line by line, displaying the output each time. Try to change a few commands and see how that changes the output. Type help cellfun and Read, Learn, Master. Click on links in see also [...] at the bottom of each help, even though you think you know it. Type edit cell2mat and Read, Learn, Master, etc. etc. etc.
Understanding a language takes practice, not a bunch of answers from some forum.

Answer 2

Thank you very much for your advice. I know it takes time to learn how to program. Im still examining this code but I have not understand it yet completely.
I got a problem with the line:
exist([pfad name],'file')
E.g. When I try to find "xyz" a file in folder "ABC" what must be in "name"? I write "ABC" in name but then it does net work.
Kind regards!