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Section 2.1 Scripts & Functions
Scripts execute statements from top to bottom by default, and functions bundle a sequence of tasks you can reuse. However, most programs need to make decisions and repeat actions based on conditions. This section discusses the different flow patterns of code and the ways you can control them.
Table 14. Scripts versus Functions
Goal
Run a sequence of commands to complete a task
Create a reusable tool (inputs → outputs)
Running it
Press the “Run” button or type the script name in the command window
Call it with inputs in the command window or another script or function
Workspace
Shares the base workspace
Uses its own workspace
Reusability
Often specific to one situation
Designed to be used many times
🗝️ Key Takeaways...
A function uses its own workspace . Variables created inside a function do not automatically appear in the Workspace after the function runs.
The file name should match the function name . If the function header is function totalCents = coin_total(...), then the file should be named coin_total.m.
Calling a function . Unlike a script, a function is usually run by calling them with inputs in the Command Window (or inside a script).
total = coin_total(7, 17, 13, 217);
Using outputs . To use an output from a function later, assign it to a variable. For example, the command
coin_total(7, 17, 13, 217)
calls the function and computes a value, but does not store it. By contrast, the command
totalCents = coin_total(7, 17, 13, 217)
stores the output from
coin_total in the variable
totalCents, which can then be used elsewhere.
Functions can call other functions .
Scripts vs Functions . Scripts and functions are both
.m files that execute MATLAB commands from top to bottom. Their differences are summarized in
Table 14 .
