Warning to save when saving workspace.

For this code:

savename = sprintf('%s_%s.mat',fname1,fname2);
save(savename);

It produces a warning: "Warning: Figure is saved in C:\Data\R1\R32.mat. Saving graphics handle variables can cause the creation of very large files. To save graphics figures, use savefig."

The save actually worked and saved the workspace correctly as .mat. Changed to "save savename" it had the same warning.

Why's that? It's not a fig to save.

[Rik]

It is much better practice to save specific variables to your mat-file.

Probably you had a figure handle in your workspace, which then triggers this error.

Answer 1

[Walter Roberson]

When you do not tell save() which variables to save then it saves everything in your current workspace, including any graphics objects whose handles are in the current workspace. It is recommended that you tell save which variables you wish to save.

[Rik]

I don't understand why Mathworks enabled this in the first place. I can't come up with a valid scenario to want to do this. The closest thing I can come up with is a debugging scenario, but then you can just use breakpoints or an inline call to dbstop.

[Walter Roberson]

Potentially you might have a large number of variables and need to "checkpoint" the calculation.

Or simply that you might need to log off for the day and you want to preserve your state so you can resume the next day.