Error Message: Function definitions are not permitted in this context

Hi I'm new enough to matlab. I am having a problem with running my code and was wondering if anyone can give me advice. Whenever I run it and error message appears saying ' Function definitions are not permitted in this context '. This is the code:

function f=path(mu,lambda,Y0,sigma,N)

dW=sigma*randn(N-1,1);

ARpath=zeros(N,1);
ARpath(1)=Y0;

for i=2:N
    ARpath(i)=ARpath(i-1)+mu+lambda*ARpath(i-1)+dW(i-1);
end

f=ARpath;
end

Answer 1

[ES]

You cannot write a function definition on Matlab Command Window.

Open editor and paste your code in a file and save it and run it from the editor or command window.

ALSO: path is a inbuilt function. If you create a function by an inbuilt function name, the inbuilt will be overridden. take care..

Answer 2

[Image Analyst]

Chances are you have a script and function in the same m-file. You can't do that - they all have to be functions. For example in test.m, you cannot do this

f1 = myPathFunction;  % Call the function from a script.

function f =m yPathFunction(mu,lambda,Y0,sigma,N)
  % Code goes here.

However if test is a function, it's fine:

function test()
    f1 = myPathFunction; % Call the function from inside another function.

function f =m yPathFunction(mu,lambda,Y0,sigma,N)
  % Code goes here.

Also notice that I did not use the reserved, built-in function "path" for the name of the functions. You should not do that either. Change the name of your function. It's very risky/dangerous to change the definition of built-in functions.