MATLAB: Is exist(variable,’var’) not seeing a variable

existvariables

I have a function to which a variable is passed. The variable exists:

'signedOrNot = signed'

When I call 'exist signedOrNot var' it is found:

ans = 1

But when I use exist(signedOrNot,'var'), as I would in an if statement, it is not:

ans = 0

Any thoughts?

exist('signedOrNot','var')

Don't use exist() with struct field syntax. Only use it for variable names. E.g.,

>> a.f = 4
a = 
    f: 4
>> exist('a','var')
ans =
     1
>> exist('a.f','var')
ans =
     0
>> exist('a','var') && isfield(a,'f')
ans =
     1

replace

    if exist('AmechM','var')

    if exist('AmechM','var') == 1

or rather by

    ise = evalin( 'base', 'exist(''AmechM'',''var'') == 1' )
    if ise

since you want to know whether AmechM exists in the base workspace

and read the on-line help on exist and on "scope"