MATLAB: Command window work space only

command window

Write a function that takes numeric data as its input argument and prints a message to the Command Window stating if the number is positive, or negative, or 0. This function should transfer an output value to the Workspace ONLY when the input value is negative How do i attempt this question?

Best Answer

You need to define a function with one input and one output. The function should examine the input and disp() a message saying whether the input is negative, zero, or positive.
After that, the function should assign any arbitrary value to its output variable if the input was negative (anything is acceptable.)
If the input was zero or positive and the user asked to use the output of the function, then you should expect MATLAB to generate an error message. This is to be expected considering the requirements of the question.
For example,
>> test_pos_zero_neg(-5)
input was negative
ans =
   'arbitrary output'
>> test_pos_zero_neg(5)
input was positive
(notice ans was not created in this case.)
>> result = test_pos_zero_neg(-7)
input was negative
result = 
   'output is not required to be consistent'
>> result = test_pos_zero_neg(7)
input was positive
Output argument "variable_to_hold_arbitrary_output" (and maybe others) not assigned during call to "test_pos_zero_neg".
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