Initialize Variables in a Function

In a SCRIPT, I'm able to initialize variables which is displayed as empty variables in the workspace:

mass = [];
speed = [];
velocity = [];

BUT when I place these same initialize variables in a FUNCTION, MATLAB does not recognize them and does not store them in the workspace.

function myvariables()
mass = [];
speed = [];
velocity = [];

How can I execute initialize variables in a function?

Thanks, Amanda

Answer 1

[Iain]

If you want a function to return those variables to the workspace, you'll need to declare it as:

 function [mass speed velocity] = myvariables()

and call it as

 [mass speed velocity] = myvariables()

Alternatively, you can assign those variables in either the calling, or base workspace (look up the help for assignin or evalin)

Alternatively, again, you can declare the variables as global in every function you want to use them, AND in the base workspace.

[Iain]

Variables declared within functions, and not explicitly returned in some fashion will be deleted when the function finishes, but are available within the function.