Functions

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Objectives

• User-defined Functions
• Convert script files to function files
• Know how to make function files and understand the syntax used in making
function files
• Know how to make and use sub-functions

• Recursion and Making Recursive Calls

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User-defined Functions

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Scripts

• So far, the *.m files that I told you to make are scripts that require
inputs using the input command of matlab.

• What if we can directly type the inputs in a function and receive a

specific output?

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Functions

• Recall: evaluating functions

• Suppose we have 𝑧 = 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 − 1
• If we evaluate 𝑓 1, 2 , we get 1 2 + 2 − 1 = 1 + 2 − 1 = 2
• We can say that 𝑓 1, 2 = 2 which is also the value of 𝑧 for the given 𝑥, 𝑦

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User-defined Functions

• Similarly, we can create

matlab functions to
perform similar tasks.

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User-defined Functions

• We can even convert the scripts that we made into functions.

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User-defined Functions
• Notice that the first line of the code always
starts with the word “function”

• It is then followed by the following:

• output variable “A” (which is the answer)
• equal sign “=“
• function name “CIV18X_A1”
• input variable(s) “N”

• Notes:
• You may opt to not have output and input
variables as long as the inputs are initialized
within the code and the output is displayed
using disp or fprintf commands.
• Always partner “function” with an “end”
statement as good programming practice.

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Types of User-defined Functions
• You can make functions that:

1. Does not return anything (or outputs

results instead);

2. Does not receive arguments but returns

something;

3. Does not return anything and does not

receive arguments.

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Multiple Outputs
• You can also return multiple variables:
Returns
multiple
outputs if you
specify them

Returns only the Returns only the

first output by first output by
default! default!
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Multiple Outputs
• Alternatively, you can turn the output into a matrix or vector within the
code to output multiple values easily.

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Subfunctions

• We can have multiple

functions exist in a file:
• Main function – the first
function to appear in the file
• Subfunctions – other
functions present within the
file

NOTE: The filename of the function file must be the same as the
name of the main function, even when subfunctions are not present.
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Subfunctions
• Some notes on Subfunctions:

1. Subfunctions cannot be called in the Command Window. They are only visible to
the other functions within the file.

2. Subfunctions can appear in any order, as long as the main function appears
first.

3. Local functions cannot access variables used by other functions unless you
pass them as arguments. Variables declared within any kind of function will not
appear in the workspace.

4. Local functions in the current file have precedence over functions in other
files. That is, when you call a function within a program file, MATLAB checks
whether the function is a local function before looking for other main functions.

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Recursion/Recursive Calls

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Recursion/Recursive Calls
• Recursion is when you call a function within itself.

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Recursion/Recursive Calls
• Code of factorial using conditional statements and recursion.

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