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Scope Variables and Generate Names

Share data between functions or workspaces, generate valid variable names

Each function has its own workspace, which is separate from the base workspace that is reserved for scripts and the command line. For the preferred ways to pass data between functions, see Share Data Between Workspaces.

Functions

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persistentDefine persistent variable
assigninAssign value to variable in specified workspace
globalDeclare variables as global
mlockPrevent clearing function or script from memory
munlockAllow clearing function or script from memory
mislockedDetermine if function or script is locked in memory
isvarnameDetermine if input is valid variable name
matlab.lang.makeUniqueStringsConstruct unique strings from input strings
matlab.lang.makeValidNameConstruct valid MATLAB identifiers from input strings
namelengthmaxMaximum identifier length

Topics

  • Base and Function Workspaces

    The base workspace stores variables that you create at the command line or that a script creates when you run it from the command line or Editor. To protect the integrity of the data, every function has its own workspace that is separate from the base workspace and all other workspaces.

  • Check Variable Scope in Editor

    Use MATLAB® function and variable highlighting features to identify when and where your code uses a particular function or variable.

  • Variable Names

    Create valid variable names and avoid potential naming conflicts.

  • Transparency in MATLAB Code

    Write code that MATLAB can optimize more effectively.

Troubleshooting

Resolve Error: Attempt to Add Variable to a Static Workspace.

Troubleshoot errors when attempting to add variables to nested and anonymous functions. Variables used within nested and anonymous functions must be present in the text of the code. If you add a variable to the workspace of an anonymous function, a nested function, or a function that contains a nested function dynamically, MATLAB issues an error.

Related Information