How to load different data files in a for loop

I am trying to do an analysis on 6 different sets of data with the names log_1 - log_6. I put the analysis in a for loop but can't get MATLAB to load the next file for each iteration. Basically, this is what I want to do:

for n=1:6
 load log_n.mat
    *rest of analysis*
 *calculation* = newvariable(n)
end

to create an array called newvariable with the outcome for each set of data in it. But MATLAB gives the following error:

Error using ==> load
Unable to read file log_n.mat: No such file or directory.

which makes sense because log_n doesn't exist.

How do I load the different files in the for loop so the analysis will be done on the right data?

[Stephen23]

Learn about sprintf , it makes this easy!

Answer 1

[Jos (10584)]

for n=1:6,
  filename = sprintf('log_%d.mat',n) 
  S = load(filename)
  % S is a structure with the variables inside the mat file as its fields.
  % If you expect a variable called V, you can check this using ISFIELD
  if isfield(S,V)
    % ...
  else
    disp(['The file "' filename '" did not contain the variable "' V '"']) ;
  end
end

[Yvonne Visser]

Thanks! This worked well :)