What is the benefit of using a function handle?

y = @(x) x; vs y=x... why would I use one over the other? Any benefit to the function handle?

Answer 1

[per isakson]

See What Is a Function Handle?

IMO: the main benefit is that it can be passed to other functions as an argument.

Answer 2

[Zoltán Csáti]

The two statements are not the same. The first one defines a function while the second one is an equality. The two identical forms are

y = @(x) x;

and

function y = some_function(x)
   y = x;
end

Answer 3

[Kai]

The function handle is for example helpful for integration. Maybe you can have a look at fplot, which makes use of function handles.