1. 1 Functions 1 Parameter, 1 Return-Value 1. The problem 2. Recall the layout 3. Create the definition 4. "Flow" of data 5. Testing 6. Projects 1 and 2

2. 1. Suppose this project… 2 Suppose this if statement will need to be repeated a lot. We plan to ask for all: 1)Quiz… 2)Lab… 3)Exam… DO NOT: copy/paste each time DO: create 1 function, and CALL it each time.

3. Overall Flow 3 Main script file changeTo Letter() CALL it each time it is needed!

4. 2. Recall The Layout Open the editor and get ready to type: 4 function = ( ) % % author/rights/edition… 1. 2... The inputs to the function The outputs to the function

5. Step2. I/O of the function One parameter, 1 return-value 5 changeTo Letter() Numerical value The letter that goes with it

6. 3. Create the definition 6 The keyword function FIRST The RETURN-INFO (i.e. OUTPUT) second The NAME OF THE FUNCTION third The PARAMETER (i.e. INPUT) last

7. Save the function file as soon as possible 7 The name of the file MUST match the name of the function. MATLAB knows that, so it offers the correct name. Change the directory to where you want, then hit save. 3. Create the definition

8. 8 The DOCUMENTATION is important A function's doc ALWAYS shows how to use it.

9. The DOCUMENTATION is important A function's doc ALWAYS shows what it does. 3. Create the definition 9

10. The code block actually solves the problem 10 This is the mini-code that needs to be executed multiple times with various values of numericalGrade This is all new.

11. 11 MATLAB knows this is an input, since it is placed in the. 4. "Flow" of data

12. 12 MATLAB knows this an output, since it is placed in the. 4. "Flow" of data

13. 5. Testing: "FUNCTION CALL" Now that the function seems complete, be sure to test that even this small function works! FACT: most functions require inputs, hence F5 will not work and results in the following error: 13

14. 14 After hitting F5 to run this, MATLAB has no value to use! 5. Testing: "FUNCTION CALL"

15. I/O of the function One parameter, 1 return-value 15 Again, there is no way to test this function using F5. Somehow, the function needs a numerical value! changeTo Letter() Numerical value The letter that goes with it

16. 5. Testing: "FUNCTION CALL" The only advantage to hitting F5 to run is that it prompts to change directory to that particular function file before it crashes. THAT, we want. Now, we are in the correct setup to test. 16

17. 5. Testing: "FUNCTION CALL" Experiment in the command window WRITE FUNCTION CALLS Replace the parameter by a real value The function returns a value. It is stored in the default variable name ans as usual. 17 Note: the letter grade "B" seems to work. We call this a "function call". We "Call Upon The Execution" of the code.

18. "Flow" of data 18 >> changeToLetter(88.99) MATLAB knows the keyword, since it sees it in the current directory. 1

19. "Flow" of data 19 >> changeToLetter(88.99) MATLAB passes the argument 88.99, which gives a value to the parameter numericalGrade 2

20. "Flow" of data 20 >> changeToLetter(88.99) MATLAB executes the code, thus solving for equivalentLetter 3

21. "Flow" of data 21 >> changeToLetter(88.99) MATLAB returns the VALUE of equivalentLetter. 4 It is called "return-value", not "return- variable". You will never see the variable equivalentLetter in the workspace. It gets deleted as soon as the function has completed its job. Variables in a function are called "local variable", since they are never ever seen by the main code.

22. "Flow" of data 22 >> changeToLetter(88.99) ans = B MATLAB collects the value in its default VARIABLE ans, unless otherwise specified. 5

23. 5. Testing For example: 23 Note: the letter grade "A" seems to work. Note: the letter grade "C" seems to work.

24. 5. Testing No matter what if statement gets executed, MATLAB has a return value for equivalentLetter, even in case of an error. 24

25. 25 IMPORTANT: No matter what path MATLAB takes (i.e. which if statement happens), the variable equivalentLetter is always assigned a value. All outputs must have a value

26. The following would NOT be a good function: 26 ??? Suppose numericalGrade is set to -4 by the call. disp()

27. All outputs must have a value In this case: Each return-info must have a value when the function is done. 27 If the call decides to store the expected letter grade in a variable, none exist!  If the call does not ask for a return- value, all is ok.

28. Step4. again. Now that the function has been proven to work properly, call your boss/colleagues to put the main project together. Project1: ask for one grade, convert it, and display Project2: ask for lots of grades, convert them, and display 28

29. Project 1 Fill in with the variables of the main file 29 Replace the parameter and return-info by the final variables to use.

30. Project 1 - Testing Remember to test again, fully. 30

31. Project 1 - Testing Even small mistakes can be caught! EASY TO DEBUG: In the command window, we had no error! This means:  The function is correct, the fprintf() is not. 31 'ERROR'

32. Project 1 - Testing Even small mistakes can be caught! 32 'ERROR' The ASCII code.

33. Project 1 - Testing Even small mistakes can be caught! 33 Project 1: done.

34. Project 2 Combines function calls with loops and arrays Assume the following algorithm: %prompt how many grades %for each grade %prompt for each grade, store in array %convert to a letter and store in an array %display table of grades with the letter 34

35. 35 while missing

36. Testing (as you go!) Before displaying, see if it works: 36

37. Project 2, display The two arrays cannot be combined into 1 single matrix, since they are of two different data types. Cells-arrays (who can combine different data types), do not display nicely. Here is proof from the command window (where you can continue to experiment):  Use a for loop to traverse the arrays and display each element in a formatted manner. 37

38. Project 2, display The for loop changes the index k automatically, and displays one grade each time. The format modifiers %10s, %10.2f, etc.. allow the columns to be aligned properly. 38 10 7 Project 2: done.

39. Recall the Function Calls Project 1: letter = changeToLetter(grade); Project 2: letters(k) = changeToLetter(numericalGrade(k)); 39

40. Wrapping Up To create a function: 1. Open the editor, type function, the return-info, the name, the parameters, the documentation, then the code 2. Save the file. Match the filename with the name of the function. 3. Change the directory so the function shows in the Current Directory panel 4. Test thoroughly in the command window 5. Once complete, build the main code 6. Test thoroughly again! Be courageous to combine arrays, functions, loops together from now on! 40