Creating variable number of for loops

I'm trying to create variable number of nested for loop depending on the length of vector. The length of each for loop depends on the number in that particular column of the vector. So for example:

    if a = [2 3 3];

    for i = 1:2
    for j = 1:3
    for k = 1:3
        do something
    end
    end
    end

I have looked around and it seems that recursive function is the best way to go about this. I know how to use a recursive function to replace a for loop but after that I'm not sure how to procede.

Here is a sample of my recursive code to replace a single for loop.

    function result = h(x1)

    % abc = 0;

    if x1 <= 0
        result = 1;
    else
            result = 2*h(x1-1);
    end

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Adam Danz]

What's happening in do-something? If it's short, provide the code. If it's more than a dozen lines, a short description would due.

Answer 1

[Sean de Wolski]

I would just use two loops, one to loop over a and one to loop on each element of a:

a = [2 3 3];

for aloop = 1:numel(a)
   for ii = 1:a(ii)
       do whatever 
   end
end

[Raphaël Fua]

What will a(ii) be ?

[Stephen23]

This is not equivalent to nested loops. The total number of iterations will be

sum(a)

whereas using nested loops the total iterations will be

prod(a)

and incldues all combinations. Actual working alternatives are posted here:

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/79986-how-can-i-condition-the-number-of-nested-for-loops-in-a-function-on-an-input-argument

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/345551-function-with-varying-number-of-for-loops

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/381505-creating-a-variable-number-of-nested-for-loops