ftell

When you open a file, MATLAB® creates a pointer to indicate the current position within the file. Open the following badpoem.txt file and perform a read operation (which advances the position pointer). Then, query the final position in the file after the read operation.

Use fopen to open the file. Then, use ftell to query the current position.

fid = fopen('badpoem.txt');
ftell(fid)

ans = 
0

Using fgetl, read the first line and examine the current position after the read operation.

tline1 = fgetl(fid)  % read the first line 

tline1 = 
'Oranges and lemons,'

ftell(fid)

ans = 
20

Read the second line and examine the current position.

tline2 = fgetl(fid)  % read the second line 

tline2 = 
'Pineapples and tea.'

ftell(fid)

ans = 
40

Close the file.

fclose(fid);