Retrieve multiple fields with similar names from a struct

Hello, I have a very large struct with different types of data (height, period, direction...), for different time instants for example:

data type fields Hs: Struct.Hs01_01 Struct.Hs01_02 Struct.Hs01_03...

data type fields Ts: Struct.Ts01_01 Struct.Ts01_02 Struct.Ts01_03...

My goal is to create new structs with only one data type each but with all time instants.

TLDR: Is it possible to retrieve the struct fields based on a part of their name and to insert them into a new struct?

Answer 1

[Stephen23]

Instead of forcing meta-data (i.e. pseudo-indices) into the fieldnames, why are you not simply using a non-scalar structure? Then this task could be achieved using some very basic indexing.

"Is it possible to retrieve the struct fields based on a part of their name and to insert them into a new struct?"

Obtain the FIELDNAMES, identify the parts of the text you want, use something like STRUCT2CELL or a loop to select the fields that you want, then convert them back to structure. Certainly possible if rather fiddly... but better data design (e.g. non-scalar structure with simple fieldnames) would make this task much easier:

S(1).Hs = 1;
S(1).Ts = 11;
S(2).Hs = 2;
S(2).Ts = 22;
S(3).Hs = 3;
S(3).Ts = 33;
T = S([1,3]) % indexing

T = 1×2 struct array with fields:
    Hs
    Ts

You will have much simpler, more efficient code when you do not force meta-data into fieldnames.

[Magnus Schneider]

Thank you very much! That is really good advice. I used struct2cell and a loop to separate the data types and my code is much faster now.

Cheers!

Edit: I am not sure how this works, Is it possible to accept your comment as an answer?