When is output assigned from function?

I want to understand how functions output the output variable.

For instance, I have the function below.

function A = myfun(X)
    len = length(X)
    A = zeros(len,1); %preallocate
    for ind = 1:len
        A = X(1:ind) * X(ind:end) %some operation
    end
end

In a script, I call B = myfun(Y)

Does B get updated in the script workspace every time something happens to A? Is there any issue with making multiple assignments to A, or is something like this better:

function A = myfun(X)
    len = length(X);
    temp_A = zeros(len,1); %preallocate
    for ind = 1:len
        temp_A = X(1:ind) * X(ind:end); %some operation
    end
    A = temp_A;
end

Thank you

Answer 1

[Jan]

Your first version is fine. When the function myfun() exists, the contents of A is replied as first output. The value of B is not accessed and not even existing during the function runs.

The temporary variable does not have any benefit in the 2nd version.

[Max Frantz]

Thanks Jan!