calling the function dynamically - is it possible using eval or evalin

function data(k)

k = {sum,multiply,divide};

for l=1:numel(k)

[a,b,c] = data_sum(d,e)

end

end

The function data calls the another function called data_sum. Now i need to change the function name on every loop i.e data_multiply, data_divide. These functions also has the same number of input and output arguments as data_sum.

Is it possible to solve the above problem using eval, evalin or some other way ?

Thanks a lot

Answer 1

[Stephen23]

The best solution would be to learn how to use function handles, and then simply create the cell array to have function handles instead of strings:

>> C = {@mtimes,@rdivide,@max};
>> for k = 1:numel(C), C{k}(2,3), end
ans =
     6
ans =
    0.6667
ans =
     3

Generate function handles from strings If the function names really must be generated from strings, then use str2func to generate the function handles first, then call it as above:

>> S = {'mtimes','rdivide','max'};
>> C = cellfun(@str2func,S,'UniformOutput',false);

Avoid eval and evalin and assignin

Learn to avoid using eval and other functions that let beginners write slow buggy code:

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/196952-how-to-create-new-variables-in-batches-with-strcat

Answer 2

[Thorsten]

If you just have three functions, it's best to use

[a,b,c] = data_sum(d,e)
[a,b,c] = data_multiply(d,e)
[a,b,c] = data_divide(d,e)

[Gopalakrishnan venkatesan]

No i have lot of function. May be around 20