how to avoid CDing a text file in a dir

I have 100s of folders that i need data from but part of the main folder theres txt file that i need to bypass..

when my code CDs the text file it crashes. how may i avoid this

paramater_data_folder = [starting_point,'\',folder_to_pass,'\']; % data folder

cd(paramater_data_folder)

[Stephen23]

"how to avoid CDing a text file in a dir"

Every MATLAB function that imports/exports/processes data files will accept absolute/relative filenames. Using absolute/relative filenames is simple and efficient. In contrast, using CD is slow and makes debugging harder.

[Ihaveaquest]

sorry not sure how that helps me

[Stephen23]

"sorry not sure how that helps me"

Your question is entitled "how to avoid CDing a text file in a dir". Ergo, I just told you the best way to avoid CDing to any folder: use absolute/relative filenames. Don't use CD at all. CD is not required for processing data files.

[Ihaveaquest]

i see, so you are saying that cd does not have to be used

do you have an examle of what you mean ???

[Stephen23]

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/1887957-how-to-avoid-cding-a-text-file-in-a-dir#answer_1140687

Answer 1

[Image Analyst]

Try this

% Specify the folder where the files live.
myFolder = pwd; %or 'C:\Users\yourUserName\Documents\My Pictures' or wherever.
% Check to make sure that folder actually exists.  Warn user if it doesn't.
if ~isfolder(myFolder)
    errorMessage = sprintf('Error: The following folder does not exist:\n%s\nPlease specify a new folder.', myFolder);
    uiwait(warndlg(errorMessage));
    myFolder = uigetdir(); % Ask for a new one.
    if myFolder == 0
        % User clicked Cancel
        return;
    end
end

% Get a list of all files in the folder with the desired file name pattern.
filePattern = fullfile(myFolder, '*.txt'); % Change to whatever pattern you need.
theFiles = dir(filePattern);
% Loop over all filenames.
for k = 1 : length(theFiles)
    baseFileName = theFiles(k).name;
    fullFileName = fullfile(theFiles(k).folder, baseFileName);
    
    % Skip the bad file, which has a known filename.
    if strcmpi(baseFileName, 'some really bad file.txt')
        continue; % Skip to bottom of loop and keep iterating with remaining files.
    end
    
    fprintf(1, 'Now reading %s\n', fullFileName);
    % Now do whatever you want with this file name,
    % such as reading it in as an array with readmatrix()
    % 	imageArray = readmatrix(fullFileName);
end

Adapt as needed.

FAQs:

https://matlab.fandom.com/wiki/FAQ#Where_did_my_file_go?_The_risks_of_using_the_cd_function.

https://matlab.fandom.com/wiki/FAQ#How_can_I_process_a_sequence_of_files?

[Image Analyst]

@Ihaveaquest isn't this code " an examle of what you mean"??? If not, why not?

[Ihaveaquest]

it is - i just wasnt sure what the other user was talking about