When you run a MATLAB file, your current folder (often displayed on the left hand side) must be the one where that file is stored. If you do not specify a path to a file, MATLAB looks for the file in the current folder or on the search path. Functions in the current folder take precedence over functions with the same file name that reside anywhere on the search path.
You can refer to the following documentation on MATLAB Search Path for a better understanding: https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/matlab_env/what-is-the-matlab-search-path.html
You can also refer to the following documentation of Files and Folders That MATLAB Accesses: https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/matlab_env/files-and-folders-that-matlab-accesses.html
