Problems using importdata function

When running a script that includes the 'importdata' function the script fails, however, if I run that same failed 'importdata' line (using Evaluate Selection) straight afterwards, without changing anything in my script or workspace, the 'importdata' function works without problem.

Please can you advice as to what the problem might be and how to solve the problem. I am using Matlab 2014b

[Walter Roberson]

Please show your code.

[dpb]

And any resulting error(s) in context and in their entirety...

[Aimee Smith]

This is part of my code:

path = ['Y:\CCM\CCM Data\' folder 'Data\' skaterfolder];   
skaterfile=['sk0' num2str(skater_no) '_'];

   %%%Import data %%%%

pedar_filename = ['sk01_c01_2.asc'];  
pedar_input=importdata([path pedar_filename]);

When I first execute this code I get the following error:

Error using importdata 
Unable to open file

However, if I re-run the line without changing anything

pedar_input=importdata([path pedar_filename]);

The data is read in fine:

pedar_input = 

          data: [2583x198 double]
      textdata: {2591x1 cell}

Is there a problem with the iofun toolbox?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[per isakson]

Don't use path as a variable name. It's the name of a function

>> which path
C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2013b\toolbox\matlab\general\path.m

[Aimee Smith]

I have changed my variable name "path" to another name "folder_data" and I still get the same error.

[dpb]

Yeah, I agree w/ the comment shouldn't alias built-in/TMW-supplied functions but couldn't see that it should have had an effect on the code.

Answer 1

[dpb]

Has to be there's something not being shown...like a variable set in the workplace that isn't in the script (which makes me wonder if the "script" is really a function, perhaps?)

As noted before, we need sufficient code in context to see how the error can be reproduced but my guess is on the above. Set a breakpoint within the script/function and I'll bet you can track down the "why" based on local values at that time before the importdata call.