Can I call a function defined within another function .m file?

Hello. Consider a file titled giveA.mat :

function A = giveA(argA)
% Main function
b = giveB(argB);
...
end

function b = giveB(argB) % defined within one file
% simple sub-function
end
% End of file

I'd like to call giveB() somewhere else in the code, but it would be very convenient for me to keep this function as is.

Is there a syntax which will allow this, i.e. can I call giveB() from, say someOtherFunction(). I expect something like

 b = givA(argA)/giveB(argB)
 or
 b = giveA(argA)>giveB(argB)

as this is how Matlab displays location of giveB() in error messages.

Answer 1

[Guillaume]

As is, it is not possible. Local functions can only be accessed from within the files where they are defined.

The only way to export a local function is to pass a handle to it from the main function of the m file, so you would have to modify your giveA to return a handle to giveB, which would not be compatible with your desired syntax.

What you could do is to wrap both functions in a class:

classdef FunContainer
   methods (static)
      function A  = giveA(argA)
         %...
      end

        function B = giveB(argB)
           %...
        end
     end
  end

which you can use as

b = FunContainer.giveA(A) / FunContainer.giveB(B)

Answer 2

[Fangjun Jiang]

No. It is a local function. If it needs to be used outside, it has to be saved in a separate .m file.

See Function Basics

Answer 3

[OCDER]

The next closest thing is to define an object class with static methods (give.m)

 %give.m
 classdef give
     methods(Static)
        function A = A(argA)
            A = argA;
            disp('I gave A');
        end

        function B = B(argB)
            B = argB;
            disp('I gave B');
        end
      end
 end

To use "giveA", use "give.A" instead.

D = give.A(3)/give.B(10);