Insert System Object Code Using MATLAB Editor

Define System Objects with Code Insertion

You can define System objects from the MATLAB^® Editor using code insertion options. When you select these options, the MATLAB Editor adds predefined properties, methods, states, inputs, or outputs to your System object™. Use these tools to create and modify System objects faster, and to increase accuracy by reducing typing errors. The GUI has slight difference in MATLAB online but the functionality is the same.

To access the System object editing options, create a new System object, or open an existing one.

Toolstrip with System object editing options

To add predefined code to your System object, select the code from the appropriate menu. For example, when you click Insert Property > Numeric, the MATLAB Editor adds the following code:

    properties(Nontunable)
        Property
    end

The MATLAB Editor inserts the new property with the default name Property, which you can rename. If you have an existing properties group with the Nontunable attribute, the MATLAB Editor inserts the new property into that group. If you do not have a property group, the MATLAB Editor creates one with the correct attribute.

Insert Options

Properties	Properties of the System object: Numeric, Logical, Enumeration, Positive Integer, Tunable Numeric, Private, Protected, and Custom. When you select Enumeration or Custom Properties, a separate dialog box opens to guide you in creating these properties.
Methods	Methods commonly used in System object definitions. The MATLAB Editor creates only the method structure. You specify the actions of that method. The Insert Method menu organizes methods by categories, such as Algorithm, Inputs and Outputs, and Properties and States. When you select a method from the menu, the MATLAB Editor inserts the method template in your System object code. In this example, selecting Insert Method > Release resources inserts the following code: function releaseImpl(obj) % Release resources, such as file handles end If a method from the Insert Method menu is present in the System object code, that method is shown shaded on the Insert Method menu:
States	Properties containing the `DiscreteState` attribute.
Inputs / Outputs	Inputs, outputs, and related methods, such as Validate inputs and Disallow input size changes. When you select an input or output, the MATLAB Editor inserts the specified code in the `stepImpl` method. In this example, selecting Insert > Input causes the MATLAB Editor to insert the required input variable `u2`. The MATLAB Editor determines the variable name, but you can change it after it is inserted. function y = stepImpl(obj,u,u2) % Implement algorithm. Calculate y as a function of % input u and discrete states. y = u; end

Create a Temperature Enumeration

Open a new or existing System object.
In the MATLAB Editor, select Insert Property > Enumeration.
In the Enumeration dialog box, enter:
1. Property Name with TemperatureUnit.
2. Enumeration Name with TemperatureUnitValues.
Select the Create new enumeration check box.
Remove the existing enumeration values with the - (minus) button.
Add three an enumeration values with the + (plus) button and the following values:
- Fahrenheit
- Celsius
- Kelvin
Select Fahrenheit as the default value by clicking Default.
The dialog box now looks as shown:
To create this enumeration and the associated class, click Insert.

In the MATLAB Editor, an additional class file with the enumeration definition is created. Save the enumeration class definition file as TemperatureUnitValues.m.

classdef TemperatureUnitValues < int32
    enumeration
        Fahrenheit (0)
        Celsius (1)
        Kelvin (2)
    end
end

In the System object class definition, the following code was added:

  properties(Nontunable)
    TemperatureUnit (1, 1) TemperatureUnitValues = TemperatureUnitValues.Fahrenheit
  end

For more information on enumerations, see Limit Property Values to Finite List.

Create Custom Property for Freezing Point

Open a new or existing System object.
In the MATLAB Editor, select Insert Property > Custom Property.
In the Custom Property dialog box, under System Object Attributes, select Nontunable. Under MATLAB Property Attributes, select Constant. Leave GetAccess as public. SetAccess is grayed out because properties of type constant cannot be set using System object methods.
Click Insert and the following code is inserted into the System object definition:
```
    properties(Nontunable, Constant)
        Property
    end
```

Replace Property with your property.

    properties(Nontunable, Constant)
        FreezingPointFahrenheit = 32;
    end

Add Method to Validate Inputs

Open a new or existing System object.

In the MATLAB Editor, select Insert Method > Validate inputs.

The MATLAB Editor inserts this code into the System object:

    function validateInputsImpl(obj,u)
       % Validate inputs to the step method at initialization
    end