How can use a for loop to name a matrix?

After each iteration of my for loop, a matrix is produced. I want to name that matrix based on the number of the iteration. This is what I have so far:

for trials = 1:max_trials
        a = int2str(trials);
        a = output_matrix;

However, Matlab just stores the last matrix produced under the variable 'a'. How can I get it to store each matrix under its respective iteration? For example, if max_trials = 3, how would I get three separate matrices labelled '1', '2' and '3'?

Thank you!

[Asghar Molaei]

Thank you very much for asking this question. It was my question too.

Answer 1

[Stephen23]

Use a cell array like this:

out = cell(1,max_trials);
for trial = 1:max_trials
    out{trial} = ... your calculation here
end

Avoid creating dynamically named variables:

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/304528-tutorial-why-variables-should-not-be-named-dynamically-eval

[Asghar Molaei]

Your tips were very helpful. Thank you

Answer 2

[David Young]

One way is to use a cell array, like this

for trials = 1:max_trials 
  < compute result, assign to a >
  output_matrix{trials} = a;
end

Then output_matrix{k} is the value of the a matrix for iteration k.

Don't try to assign the result of each iteration to a different variable by constructing different names inside the loop - it's a very bad way to do it.

[David Young]

... as Stephen Cobeldick explains in more detail in his answer.