Passing a function value to another function

To whom it may concern:

I am aware that there is documentation to support this question, I haven't been able to implement a simple solution that isn't beyond my abilities. I have a function that calculates the fluid height inside a reservoir. I would like to pass this value to another function where I define the fluid height as a constant. I need to keep two seperate function files, actualise_level and intialise_level. What might you suggest? Thanks

FIRST FUNCTION:

function [ reservoir ] = actualise_level( reservoir, vol_in, vol_out)

constants;

reservoir(VOLUME) = VOLUME + (vol_in - vol_out) * DT

if reservoir(VOLUME) < 0

    reservoir(VOLUME) = reservoir(VOLUME) + abs(min(reservoir(VOLUME)))

end

x = sqrt(4*BASE_INF^2*HEIGHT^2+8*(((BASE_SUP-BASE_INF)*HEIGHT*VOLUME)./LENGTH)) y = 2*HEIGHT*BASE_INF

if x >= y

    h1 = (x-y)./(2*(BASE_SUP-BASE_INF))  %h1 is the fluid level as calculated

else error('No solution')

end

end

SECOND FUNCTION:

function [ reservoir ] = initialise_reservoir()

constants;

reservoir = zeros(1,NB_PARAMETERS_RESERV);

reservoir(BASE_INF) = 5; reservoir(BASE_SUP) = 7.5; reservoir(HEIGHT) = 25; reservoir(LENGTH) = 5; reservoir(VOLUME) = 350; reservoir(LEVEL) = h1? %this is where I would like to pass the value in

reservoir = [reservoir(BASE_INF) reservoir(BASE_SUP) reservoir(HEIGHT) ... reservoir(LENGTH) reservoir(VOLUME) reservoir(LEVEL)];

end

[Stephen23]

I would suggest that you store your parameters in a structure , which would be much clearer for you to work with. Rather than that very awkward

reservoir(index) = ...

you can simply do this:

params.base_ind = 5;
params.base_sup = 7.5
params.height = 25

etc. Doing this creates one convenient variable to pass around, but with the advantage of clear labeling of what each value means.

[PR]

Good suggestion. However, I have assignment constraints that prevent me from creating structures. I'd really like to be able to call up the result from one function and attribute the result to a constant in the other.

[Image Analyst]

I tagged it as homework for you.

Answer 1

[Rick Rosson]

You could write a script that calls each of the functions one or more times in the desired sequence, passing the output of one function as the input to the other function.

[PR]

Effectively, this would be a good option. However I must keep the two functions separate. Thanks for your suggestion.

[Rick Rosson]

That's exactly what I am suggesting. Maybe you should try it before you simply reject it as inadequate.

[PR]

I will give it a try. Much obliged