MATLAB: Problems creating function handle to method from user input text string during object construction

classfunction handlesMATLABobject oriented programmingoop

I have a pattern recognition class which the user specifies a learner (and various other options) by entering a text string. During the constructor I validate the user selection is a valid option then try to make a function handle that sets the learner property equal to a function handle that points to the appropriate learner method. A stripped down version is show below:
classdef ssl < handle
    properties
        learner
        valid_selection = {'learner1', 'learner2'};
    end
    methods
        function obj = ssl(user_option)
            if sum(strcmp(user_option,obj.valid_selection)) == 1 
                obj.learner = str2func(user_option);
            else
                error('Invalid Selection')
            end
        end
        function classify(obj)
            % Should execute learner method specified by text string
            obj.learner
        end
        function learner1(obj)
            display('Learner 1 was run')
        end
        function learner2(obj)
            display('Learner 2 was run')
        end
    end
end
To construct object the user should input : a = ssl('learner1')
Method "learner1" should run and display "Learner 1 was run" when they type : a.classify
I have tried a variety of syntax for the line in the constructor shown below, none produce the desired results.
obj.learner = str2func(user_option);
obj.learner = ['@obj.' user_option];
obj.learner = str2func(['obj.' user_option]);
I can accomplish functionality through a series of nested if of switch/case statements but it makes the code extremely messy. Any suggestions on how this can this be done?

Best Answer

        function classify(obj)
            % Should execute learner method specified by text string

            obj.learner
        end
Should be
        function classify(obj)
            % Should execute learner method specified by text string
            obj.learner(obj)
        end
because you're passing an argument to the function handle contained in learner.
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