MATLAB Programming

Calling Functions
Calling Functions
This section describes the following topics on how to make function calls:
• “What Happens When You Call a Function” on page 4-53
• “Determining Which Function Is Called” on page 4-54
• “MATLAB Calling Syntax” on page 4-57
• “Passing Certain Argument Types” on page 4-61
• “Passing Arguments in Structures or Cell Arrays” on page 4-63
• “Assigning Output Arguments” on page 4-65
• “Calling External Functions” on page 4-67
• “Running External Programs” on page 4-68
What Happens When You Call a Function
When you call a function M-file from either the command line or from within
another M-file, MATLAB parses the function into pseudocode and stores it
in memory. This prevents MATLAB from having to reparse a function each
time you call it during a session. The pseudocode remains in memory until
you clear it using the clear function, or until you quit MATLAB.
Clearing Functions from Memory
You can use clear in any of the following ways to remove functions from the
MATLAB workspace.
Syntax
clear functionname
clear functions
clear all
Description
Remove specified function from workspace.
Remove all compiled M-functions.
Remove all variables and functions.
4-53