Generate the output as a cell array using for-loops

I have a function:

function [ squaresCell ] = generateSquares( a,b )
%GENERATESQUARES
%   a, b are two integers where a<b
%   squaresCell: a two-dimensional cell array that contains the character
%   arrays 'x=[x]' and 'x squared=[x^2]' in the first and second columns,
%   respectively, for every value a=<x=<b.

for x=(a:b)
  squaresCell={'x=[x]','x squared=[x^2]'};
end

But when running the following command, I get this:

>> generateSquares(3,9)
ans =
1×2 cell array
  'x=[x]'    'x squared=[x^2]'

How do I get the output to show the values of the answer cell array, such that the answer responds:

>> generateSquares (3 ,9)
ans =
7x2 cell array
‘x = 3’ ‘x squared = 9 ’
‘x = 4’ ‘x squared = 16 ’
‘x = 5’ ‘x squared = 25 ’
‘x = 6’ ‘x squared = 36 ’
‘x = 7’ ‘x squared = 49 ’
‘x = 8’ ‘x squared = 64 ’
‘x = 9’ ‘x squared = 81 ’

[Guillaume]

Note:

for someindex = ...
    something_that_does_not_depend_on_the_index = ...
end

just repeatedly overwrite the something_that_does_not_depend_on_the_index which, when the loop is finished, will just contain the value computed on the last iteration.

Answer 1

[Guillaume]

Where have you seen that matlab would replace the text [something] by the value of the something variable? If you invent your own syntax, it's no wonder that it doesn't work.

Probably the simplest:

function squaresCell = generateSquares( a,b)      
   squaresCell = [compose('x = %d', (a:b).'), compose('x squared = %d', ((a:b).^2).']);
end