The document provides guidance on using MATLAB scripts, emphasizing their creation and execution through text files with a '.m' extension. It explains how to write, save, and run scripts, as well as common errors related to script execution and variable management in the MATLAB workspace. Key issues include ensuring the script file is in the internal MATLAB path and understanding that script variables are global and may be modified by other scripts.

1. MATLAB PROGRAMMING TIPS
SHAMEER A KOYA
MATLAB Scripts

2. Script
 MATLAB Script or programs are sequences of MATLAB
commands saved in plain text files.
 MATLAB requires that these files have the extension
‘.m’.
 When you type the name of the script file at the
MATLAB prompt the commands in the script file are
executed as if you had typed them in command window.
 Why use Scripts?
 Use same code in more than one place in program without
rewriting code
 Reuse code by calling in different programs
 Code for a script is done in an Editor window and
saved as m-file.
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3. Typing a Program
 If you are using the command prompt, type edit in the
command prompt.
 This will open the editor.
 You can directly type edit and then the filename (with .m
extension)
 Alternatively, if you are using the IDE, choose NEW ->
Script.
 This also opens the editor and creates a file named
Untitled.
 You can name and save the file after typing the code.
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4. Opening A Script file
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5. Sample Script
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6. Run the Script
 After creating and saving the file, you can run it in
two ways:
 Clicking the Run button on the editor window
 Just typing the filename in the command prompt.
 When typing the filename in the command window do not include
".m".
 In case your code has errors, MATLAB will show an
error message in the command window, when you
try to run the program .
 Error message will be hyperlinked to the line in the
file that caused the error.
 Interpret the error message and make necessary
changes to you code in the editor.
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7. Run the Script …
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8. Special Note
 Apart from syntax errors, perhaps the most common
problem with using script files is that MATLAB
cannot locate the script file you wish to execute.
 MATLAB gives the error message
??? Undefined function or variable ...
 It is not immediately clear why the function is
undefined when its m-file is clearly visible to the
user.
 MATLAB cannot execute a function unless it knows
where to find its m-file.
 This requires that the function be in the internal
MATLAB path.
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9. Script variables are Global !!
 Script variables are added to the workspace.
 If you use the same variables in another script, they
will be modified by that script.
 This may result in a confusing mix of variables in the
MATLAB workspace.
 Some times it may lead to a syntax error or may lead
to subtle errors in the result.
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