MATLAB: How to call the variables of MATLAB workspace from a function

functionsmdfsaveworkspace

I am trying to make a .mat file from withing a functioin that contains all the variables in the MALTAB workspace but when I attempt to do that from inside a function using save('NAMEWORKSPACE'); it saves all the variables from the workspace of the function in the .mat file and I dont want that.

How can create a .mat file with the variables from my MATLAB workspace from inside a function?

Please advice,

Best Answer

Do you have a good reason for doing this?

Hint:

function    save_base_workspace()
   evalin( 'base', 'save( ''save_base_workspace.mat'' );' )
end

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MATLAB: How to load a variable into the workspace not as a structure into a GUI

Remember, that the remote controlled creation of variables in another workspace is a bad programming style. I would avoid this strictly, but store the data inside the figure and use it from there.

But if you really want to do this:

asset = 'XYZ';
Data  = load('XYZ.mat');
assignin('base', asset, Data.(asset));

MATLAB: Load .mat – file to base workspace

Although beginners love making variables pop into existence in different workspaces, this is not robust programming, it is slow, and it removes lots of useful code checking tools. Yes, there are lots of code checking tools that simply do not work when you use eval, evalin or assignin. Click on a variable name in the editor, and it highlights all instances of that variable: does not work. Find and replace: does not work. Editor warnings: do not work. Because these variables just magically appear without warning, MATLAB cannot help you write your code, as it can when variables are passed and created correctly.

The typical functions used for this sloppy programming are eval, evalin, assignin. These are tools are the equivalent of a chainsaw, and should not be used where only a letter-opener is required. Their usage is a topic that has been covered many times before on this forum, and the usual consensus is "do not use these tools for basic assignment or moving variables around". How about these quotes from the MATLAB documentation "Share Data Between Workspaces":

" Best Practice: Passing Arguments The most secure way to extend the scope of a function variable is to use function input and output arguments"

And the least recommended method given on that page is:

"The evalin and assignin functions allow you to evaluate commands or variable names from strings and specify whether to use the current or base workspace. Like global variables, these functions carry risks of overwriting existing data. Use them sparingly."

Using them sparingly ideally means only using them in situations where none of the other methods will work. And, if a program is written well, this will be almost never...

To know more you can search this forum for "dynamic variable names" or "eval", and also read this page (while it is about eval, the same basic issues arise with evalin, etc):

http://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/196952-how-to-create-new-variables-in-batches-with-strcat

And from MATLAB themselves:

http://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/matlab_prog/string-evaluation.html

http://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/matlab_prog/share-data-between-workspaces.html

Best Answer

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MATLAB: Load .mat – file to base workspace

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