Function that outputs a varying number of variables depending on input --> N inputs = N output variables

I have read that dynamic variables are generally bad practice and can be avoided using other methods. However, I was curious about a potential use case. I would like to make a function that takes in N inputs that correspond to the locations and filenames of several datasets and then the function loads the data and saves it to a variable (N inputs = N ouput variables). Is there a good way to do this? To my understanding I would be unable to use alternate methods given that the data I am loading are mutlidimensional arrays of varying dimensions.

I considered padding each array to the same size with NaNs, but I am very hesistant to use this method. Does anyone have any recommendations?

I only want to do this to save myself time with either copying and pasting or typing out the code to load each file separately.

Would using a struct be possible, where each field corresponds to a dataset?

Answer 1

[Stephen23]

"To my understanding I would be unable to use alternate methods given that the data I am loading are mutlidimensional arrays of varying dimensions."

Why does that stop you from using container arrays? That is precisely what container arrays are for !

"Is there a good way to do this?"

There are certainly better ways of doing this, some obvious approaches to try would be:

• a non-scalar structure with fields e.g. LOCATIONS and FILENAMES.
• one or two cell arrays, possibly in conjunction with VARARGIN and VARARGOUT.

See also:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/matlab_prog/access-multiple-elements-of-a-nonscalar-struct-array.html

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/1656435-tutorial-comma-separated-lists-and-how-to-use-them

[AES]

Thank you for the reply! This was very helpful and answers my question.