Multi Dimensional Cell Array

Can we create a single multi-dimensional cell array of variable size dimensions.

I have matrices (all of same dimensions) A1,A2,A3,A4 AA1,AA2,AA3,AA4,BB1,BB2,BB3,BB4

I was wondering if whether I can store these matrices like

cellarray{1,1,1}=A1 cellarray{1,2,1}=A2......cellarray{1,4,1}=A4

cellarray{1,1,2}=AA1 cellarray{1,2,2}=AA2......cellarray{1,4,2}=AA4

cellarray{2,1,2}=BB1 cellarray{2,2,2}=BB2......cellarray{2,4,2}=BB4

I understand that cells are good for storing data of variable dimensions but for this problem its the dimensions which are variable instead of data itself

[Jan]

I do not understand the question. You have posted the code required to create cellarray already. This implies, that the answer is:

 Yes, obviously it is possible that you can store the matrices as you have shown.

I assume, you want something more general.

Answer 1

[Azzi Abdelmalek]

cellarray={A1,A2,A3,A4,AA1,AA2,AA3,AA4,BB1,BB2,BB3,BB4}

[Jan]

The question contains the detail, that e.g. BB4 should be found at the index [1,2,1]. Does your answer address this? If not, are there any reasons to omit this?

[Azzi Abdelmalek]

I think this is the simple way to store those matrices, maybe we have to store also their names:

cellarray_names={'A1','A2',...}.

I do not know exactly what are the OP intentions. I was hoping he comments my answer

Answer 2

[Babak]

 maxsize1 = 100;
 maxsize2 = 100;
 maxsize3 = 100;

 mycell = cell(maxsize1 ,maxsize2 ,maxsize3 );

 mycell{1,1,1} = A1;
 mycell{1,2,1} = A2;
 mycell{1,4,1} = A4;

 mycell{1,1,2} = AA1;
 mycell{1,2,2} = AA2;
 mycell{1,4,2} = AA4;

 mycell{2,1,2} = BB1;
 mycell{2,2,2} = BB2;
 mycell{2,4,2} = BB4;

 // eventually you can chop the unused part of the mycell to the index of the date you have entered. notice that the rest of the cell variables that you haven't entered any data in are empty

 mycell = mycell(1:2,1:4,1:2);

[xplore29]

Your answer is closest to what I had been thinking. But the point remains that a SINGLE multidimensional cell cannot have variable dimensions i-e for this example we cannot create a cell with 1 rows and 4 cols in 1st entry in 3rd dimension (1,4,1) and 2 row and 4 col in second entry in 3rd dimension (2,4,2).

[Jan]

@xplore29: This sound very strange. The dimensions of the multi-dimensional (cell) array are fixed. Otherwise it would not be something you should call "array", because this term means, that the data are arranged regularily.

I assume, a nested array should satisfy your needs:

X = cell(1,2,3);
Y = cell(3,4,5);
C = {X, Y};

[Babak]

@xplore29: cell is the only type of variable in MATLAB that I know of, which can have "empty" elements. Say cell(2,3) you get a 2 by 3 array of empty elements. If you don't need to use those elements it's quite OK. Just keep track of which elements are you filling up so you know you only use those later in your code.

 A = cell(2,3);
 A{1,1} = 6;
 A{1,2} = [ 3 4 5;3 4 5];
 A{2,2} = '34';
 A{2,3} = 'somename';

 A

A(2,1) is an empty cell, element of A. Not filled up and won't be used in future.