Strange limitations on script files?

Just wanted to clarify: Are there specific reasons to enforce scripts to

• have function definitions only at the end of the file
• disallow classdef in script files

?

This feels especially unnatural in live scripts, where it disallows naturally adding functions or data structures in the course of the document.

[dpb]

I have absolutely no inside knowledge, but I would presume the reason is to make the parsing/compilation of code simpler by minimizing complexity.

Answer 1

[Walter Roberson]

• Not allowing function definitions in the middle of a script file removes ambiguity about whether code after a function definition is there accidentally (such as if there is an extra end in the code)
• requiring that classdef be the only (non-comment) thing in the file removes ambiguity about what exactly is executed when the class is defined or invoked.