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isvarname

Determine if input is valid variable name

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Syntax

tf = isvarname(s)
isvarname s

Description

tf = isvarname(s) determines if input s is a valid variable name. If s is a valid MATLAB® variable name the isvarname function returns logical 1 (true). Otherwise it returns logical 0 (false).

A valid variable name begins with a letter and contains not more than namelengthmax characters. Valid variable names can include letters, digits, and underscores. MATLAB keywords are not valid variable names. To determine if the input is a MATLAB keyword, use the iskeyword function.

isvarname s is the command form of the syntax. The command form requires fewer special characters. You do not need parentheses or single quotes around the input.

example

Examples

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Open Live Script

Show that input that starts with a number is not a valid variable name.

s = '8th_column';
isvarname(s)
ans = logical
   0

Change the input to a valid variable name.

s = 'column_8';
isvarname(s)
ans = logical
   1

Use the command form to determine if the input is a valid variable name.

isvarname column_8
ans = logical
   1

Input Arguments

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Potential variable name, specified as a character vector, or string.

Example: 'myVar'

Example: "myVar2"

Extended Capabilities

Version History

Introduced before R2006a

See Also

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