Multiple anonymous functions combined

Hi,

I am trying ultimately to be able to define a new anonymous function from two previously defined functions, and pass this into a function. Say, for simplicity, I define:

D=@(d) d^2
C=@(c) c^c

then I try to define:

E=@(d,c) D(d)*C(c)

then this works. I can put in values of d and c and get (d^2)*(c^c) as an output from E. I am trying to understand how MATLAB defines the new function E. If I delete functions D and C from the workspace, and continue to call E(1,2) etc then E will continue to produce results, so it's as if MATLAB has stored C and D inside E itself.

However, if I pass E into a new function and ask it to calculate E(1,2) inside there - I get an error. (Undefined function or method 'mtimes' for input arguments of type 'function_handle'). So it's as if MATLAB has now forgotten D and C, so they are not built into E.

Can someone explain what is happening here? I'm just trying to grasp how these functions are working.

Thanks!

[Matt J]

However, if I pass E into a new function and ask it to calculate E(1,2) inside there - I get an error. (Undefined function or method 'mtimes' for input arguments of type 'function_handle').

This is not enough information. We need to know not just what error message you are seeing, but what particular statement in your code produces it. Please copy/paste the complete error message, ideally from a small example that we can run/reproduce it with.

Answer 1

[Azzi Abdelmalek]

You should pass E through input argument of your function

Example

function y=yfcn(a,b,f)
y=f(a,b)+500

Then call your function

out=yfcn(2,3,E)

[Isktaine]

I have. So for example:

function out=Newfunction(E,c,d)
E(c,d)
end

But running

 Newfunction(E,1,2)

yields the error: Undefined function or method 'mtimes' for input arguments of type 'function_handle'). So even though E has been passed in it doesn't appear to know what it is made up of.

[Azzi Abdelmalek]

For me it's working.Also it should be

function out=Newfunction(E,c,d)
out=E(c,d)
end

Answer 2

[Sean de Wolski]

You can use the function functions() to figure out the workspace of a E. Here is an example, as for the error - I cannot reproduce it:

function examplefh

D=@(d) d^2;
C=@(c) c^c;

E=@(d,c) D(d)*C(c);
passedInto(E)

ef = functions(E)
ef.workspace{1}

function passedInto(E)
E(1,2)