What is it called when I specify a vector output of solutions from, say, fsolve?

Hi,

I have a simple question -- just a matter of lingo, I think:

The fsolve algorithm gives all these outputs when it arrives at a solution:

[ x, fval, exit_flag, output, Jacobian ]

If I only write code such as

x = fsolve(f, x_guess)

then I get simply the solution from fsolve.

But if I write

[x, fval] = fsolve(f, x_guess)

then I get both the solution as well as the function evaluation at that solution.

And ditto for exit_flag, output, Jacobian.

What is this process called, when I enlarge the vector output to specify what I want the code to bring back?

Sorry, I know it's a very basic question, but I just want to use the correct lingo.

Thanks,

Answer 1

[Rik]

Those are called output arguments. Sometimes functions will use the nargout function to determine which calculations should be performed.

[Noob]

Ah, ok - so it's just me specifying the output arguments. Thanks for the quick answer, Rik!

[Rik]

Exactly. You're welcome.