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LESSON OUTCOMES

At the end of this topic, the students will be able: To create a simple program using scripts and function file (M-files). To solve the problems through M-files.

Outline
1.0 Scripts and Functions (M-files)
1.1 M-files
1.1.1 Basic Parts of M-file 1.1.2 Creating a Simple M-File 1.1.3 Solving problem through M-File

1.1 M-files
The MATLAB software provides a full programming language that enables you to write a series of MATLAB statements into a file and then execute them with a single command.

You write your program in an ordinary text file, giving the file a name of filename.m The term you use for filename becomes the new command that MATLAB associates with the program.

 The file extension of .m makes this a MATLAB M-file. M-files can be scripts that simply execute a series of MATLAB statements, or they can be functions that also accept input arguments and produce output.

1.1.1 Basic Parts of M-File

This simple function shows the basic parts of an M-file. Note that any line that begins with % is not executable:

M-File Element Function definition line (functions only)

Description Defines the function name, and the number and order of input and output arguments

H1 line

A one line summary description of the program, displayed when you request help on an entire directory, or when you use lookfor
A more detailed description of the program, displayed together with the H1 line when you request help on a specific function Program code that performs the actual computations and assigns values to any output arguments Text in the body of the program that explains the internal workings of the program

Help text

Function or script body

Comments

Line 1 : Prefix % is used for comment

Line 2: This is to create an array or set of numbers. Line 3: The final line will tell Matlab to calculate the exponential of each member of the array
save file simply type M-file name

1.1.2 Creating a Simple M-File

1. Create an M-file using a text editor

function c = myfile(a,b) c = sqrt ((a.^2)+(b.^2))

2. Call the M-file from the command line, or from within an another M-file

a = 7.5; b = 3.342; c = myfile (a,b)

c = 8.2109
* it is best to use the same name for function and filename to avoid confusion.

Example 1
Solve the mathematical model of the parachutist problem.

( gm) (1 exp(cd / m)t f ) v c d

m = 68.1 c = 12.5 t=2 g = 9.8 v=?

Solve through command window:

>> g = 9.8; >> m = 68.1; >> cd = 12.5; >> tf = 2; >> v= g*m/cd*(1-exp(-cd/m*tf)) v= 16.4050

1.1.3 Solving problem through M-File

Solve through M-file: i) Script file ii) Function file

i) Solve the previous problem using script file:

Steps:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Open file, new, M-file Edit function will be available Type the problem statement in the editor file Save the editor file as XXXX.m (any name that you like) Return to command window and type the saved file name

Example 2
Solve the mathematical model of the parachutist problem by using script file.

( gm) (1 exp(cd / m)t f ) v c d

m = 68.1 cd = 12.5 tf = 2 g = 9.8 v=?

Solution

In editor file:
g= 9.81; m = 68.1; tf = 2; cd = 12.5; v= g*m/cd*(1-exp(-cd/m*tf))

Save the editor file to your desired name

xxxx.m

Run the program through command windor by typing the name of the M-file
>>xxxx

v = 16.4050

ii. Solve the previous problem using function file:

Steps: 1. Function files are M-files that start with the word function. 2. Accept input argument and return output. 3. Syntax for the function file can be represented as;
Function outvar = funcname (arglist) % helpcomments Statements Outvar = value

 outvar = name of the output variable, example (velocity )

funcname = the function file name, example (xxxx.m) arglist = argument list, example (m, cd, tf) % helpcomments = provide information to the user and does not involve in the calculation statement = the mathematical operation that compute the value of the outvar

Example 3
Solve the mathematical model of the parachutist problem by using function file.

( gm) (1 exp(cd / m)t f ) v c d

m = 68.1 cd = 12.5 tf = 2 g = 9.8 v=?

Solution
function velocity = freefall (m,cd,tf) % freefall (m,cd,tf) compute the freefall velocity % input: % m = mass (kg) % cd = drag coefficient (kg/m) % t = time (s) % output: % velocity = downward velocity (m/s) % g = acceleration of gravity g = 9.81; velocity = g*m/cd*(1-exp(-cd/m*tf)); end Save the M-file as stated in the 1st line freefall.m Return to command window and type the saved M-file >> freefall(68.1,12.5,2) ans = .
* You can introduce different argument values