It sometimes happens that I need to change the behavior of a function. Is there an easy way to find functions (on the matlab path) that use that function?
The way I do this is to look for files that contain the name of the function I'm interested in. Thus, I don't only see who calls my function, but also what signature they use.
In the editor: Edit->Find Files
Start with help deprpt.
EDIT: when I run a dependency report there are 3 checkboxes at the top of the report window. One of these, by default unchecked, is called 'Show parent functions (current folder only)'. That is probably the beginning of what you want but it only works in a single folder.
If you want more than that, I suggest that you try edit deprpt.m.
I would use a tool like grep. I posted a tool called mgrep on the file exchange a few years ago. It can search through entire directories of m-files for any given string, and it searched recursively down into sub-directories. So to find functions in my directories that call fminsearch, I would merely execute this at the command line.
mgrep('fminsearch','.','show','off')
Searching directory(ies)...
/Users/woodchips/Desktop/My_FEX/cylinderfit.m
/Users/woodchips/Desktop/My_FEX/fminspleas.m
/Users/woodchips/Desktop/My_FEX/fminspleas2.m
/Users/woodchips/Desktop/My_FEX/fminspleas3.m
/Users/woodchips/Desktop/My_FEX/fminspleasnnls.m
/Users/woodchips/Desktop/My_FEX/BoundedFSOLVE/fsolvebnd.m
/Users/woodchips/Desktop/My_FEX/FMINSEARCHBND/fminsearchbnd.m
...
you mean like looking for dependencies? that would be tools -> show dependency report
Related
Where can i save my document "function.m", so i can call this function from any code in any path of my pc?
I already made some custom functions, but i dont know where to save those codes to be able to call them from any part.
Save them in a logical place where you can find them back. Then, use addpath to add that folder to MATLAB's search path, i.e. when you use a function it will try that folder as well to find it.
You can do this either per script, or edit startup.m with this, so that it's automatically included when MATLAB starts.
Alternatively to Adriaan's best practice answer, the fastest option is to save your function.m in the %USERPROFILE%/Documents/MATLAB directory on your PC ($home/Documents/MATLAB on Linux and Mac). This directory is on your MATLAB Search Path by default. This might be an acceptable solution if you use the function commonly across different projects.
Finally, there is a "manual" solution: Execute pathtool in MATLAB, add the directory containing your function.m via the GUI and hit save.
I've been working for some time on a MATLAB function to retrieve file names. The function is called getFileName. My problem is that when I try to display help for this function by pressing the F1 key while cursor is on the function name, I instead, get the help for the built in function matlab.io.hdf4.sd.getFilename. I get the same if I write doc getFileName in my command window. Only if I type helpwin getFileName do I get the correct documentation displayed!
This doesn't make sense to me since MATLAB is case sensitive and thereby getFileName is different from getFilename. Furthermore, when I type which getFileName (or for some strange reason, if I type which getFilename), I get the path to my function and not to the built-in function matlab.io.hdf4.sd.getFilename.
So my question is: is it possible to make sure that the function you get documentation for (by pressing the F1 key) is the same function that you run if you type the name of that function?
Matlab isn't actually case sensitive for the help files. In the terminal you can type
doc PLOT
and it will still pop up the documentation for the proper plot function.
I don't know where these files are stored on PC, as I use a Mac, but in the Matlab directory if you search for an uncommon file name (like plotyy) you will see the source file, but you'll also find an html file that doc uses. If you write an html file for the new file it should bring up the right info for the documentation center.
Matlab used to just copy the commented text at the beginning of the file into the documentation center in older versions of matlab, but now it uses html files stored on your drive. I don't know if this will definitely fix your problem as I haven't written an html file for an "almost overloaded" function.
Also, about the weird 'which' thing, I'm pretty sure Matlab first searches the first entry on your path list for a close match, and the current directory is on the top of the list. If you type 'path' into the console it will output all the search paths, and the top ones are searched first.
I apologize for masquerading as if this is an 'Answer' but I don't have enough reputation points to add this as a comment.
I would need to find all the places in my code (several M files in a folder) where I used a particular function (unique in this case).
Do you know if it is possible?
In Matlab, there is the command "Find Files" - in the "Edit" menu, or on the "Home" and "Editor" ribbon - that allows you to find files containing specific text, either in a folder or on the entire Matlab path:
Use the "find in files" function in Notepad++
If you want to check what functions you're using, depfun allows you to do so, although it might be overkill if you only want to check for a single known function.
For example (checking functions called directly by a function only):
[list builtins] = depfun(fun, '-toponly');
"which" seems to do it.
Take a look at this: http://www.mathworks.co.uk/help/matlab/ref/which.html (1st example)
Otherwise, notepad++ allows you to search (and replace) multiple files for a text string, here's a simple tutorial:
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-find-and-replace-words-in-multiple-files/
I know there's a way to make the enter-key on the keyboard confirm the inputdlg() dialog, see here:
http://www.mathworks.de/support/solutions/en/data/1-39UWQT/index.html?product=ML&solution=1-39UWQT
Okay it's a workaround, the problem is, I have to store it in the matlab directory (because as said on the page: "Since it is dependent on several private functions, newid.m will only work if stored in this location.").. The problem now is, I want to make a code which doesn#t rely on user changes in the Matlab directory because of missing privileges... Is there still another (perhaps dirty) way to achieve this behaviour?
Thanks!
Solution:
Copy the newid.m from http://www.mathworks.de/support/solutions/en/data/1-39UWQT/index.html?product=ML&solution=1-39UWQT to a arbitrary folder, e.g. into your projects folder
Go into the folder where the original inputdlg() is stored; you can find this out via which inputdlg (e.g. C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2011b\toolbox\matlab\uitools\inputdlg.m)
Go into the private-subdirectory and copy the two files getnicedialoglocation.m and setdefaultbutton.m and paste them into your project's folder where the newid.m is located. Now call all your input dialogs by using newid() instead of inputdlg()
I'm a total newbie to MATLAB but I have to write some code in it. I've had problems with making MATLAB see functions I've defined in external .m files. This is what I've done: I've created a file named, say, foo.m in my home dir with the following contents:
function [y] = foo(x)
% description
y = x + 1
When I run matlab (my home dir is matlab's workdir) it does not see foo function - it replies with standard ??? Undefined function or variable 'foo' message. BUT help foo or which foo return correct data printing help text and pointing on foo.m file respectively.
I must be missing something but I have no idea what it is. This is getting very annoying.
Oh, after several trial and error attempts I've managed to call that function. Unfortunately I can't remember the sequence of steps I've performed. Moreover after restarting matlab it returns to its usual 'Undefined function or variable' response.
I have 7.11.0.584 matlab running on linux.
MATLAB needs to be told which directories to search over to access those m-files. Clearly it cannot be left to search over your entire disk drives. The MATLAB search path is a list of directories that will be searched in specific order to find your functions.
help addpath
help pathtool
You should never put those files anywhere in the official MATLAB toolbox directories. Choose an entirely separate directory.
Finally, be careful not to name your own functions to match the names of existing MATLAB functions. Otherwise, your very next question here will be why your code does not work properly. This is a common cause of strange and confusing bugs.
It seems you're having some trouble with addpath. Try opening the file in the matlab editor and adding a break point in the file. If the file is not on Matlab's path, matlab should ask if you want to change directory or add the file to the path, choose add to the path.
If this doesn't work, try changing the current working directory (displayed in the main window) to the same location as the m file and calling the function. If this doesn't work you're either getting the name wrong ar there's possibly something wrong with your installation.
Occasionally matlab has problems if it does not have write permission to the directory the file's in, so check that too, i.e. make sure admin rights aren't required for the directory or m file.
Oh, and try:
clear functions
to reload all functions into memory.
The function needs to be in MATLAB's path. Use pathtool to tell MATLAB where to find your function. Note that if you name a function the same name as an existing function, MATLAB will use whichever function it finds first according to the order that the paths are listed as you see them in pathtool.
Although coming late but I hope it will help someone.
If in the folder where the function you are calling is residing, there is any other function with the same name as one of the functions from MATLAB toolboxes, then Matlab will not recognize its license and therefore will disable the whole folder from execution, no matter it is properly added to the path. The help will display though.
In order to check it, type:
which name_of_func.m
and you will get the path with "%Has no license available" message.
If it is your own function, you should not get this message but only the path.
Therefore, find the function in this folder which has the same name as a MATLAB toolbox functions, and rename it. I will solve the problem :).
Best Regards
Wajahat