graphical visualization of input parameters collected in a struct/array

My simulation depends on a whole bunch of input parameters that control various features of the simulation.

I decided to group these parameters in a struct and pass this script to my main.m script.

% .m file that contains all parameters and calls main program
params = struct;
params.input1 = val1;
params.input2 = val2;
...
% many more parameters (bundled in substructs)

% call main function
main(params)

% end of .m file containing parameters

This approach works, however, I am looking for a better way to alter/visualize the parameters.

For instance, there is the `typeeditor` in Simulink to visualize inputs in a nice manner.

Is there a way to visualize all my parameters in a table-like structure, similar to what typeeditor does?

I am also open for alternatives of course!

Thank you!

Answer 1

[Shoresh Shokoohi]

To visualize and manage a large set of parameters in MATLAB more conveniently, you can utilize several built-in MATLAB tools and features, such as creating a parameter table or using the `uitable` (UI Table) component for a graphical user interface (GUI). Here's how you can approach this:

Option 1: Parameter Table

You can create a parameter table using MATLAB's built-in data structures, such as a `table`. This allows you to store and organize your parameters in a structured way and provides easy visualization. Here's an example of how to create a parameter table:

```matlab

% Create a table with your parameters

paramTable = table(val1, val2, ...);

% Rename the table variables (optional, for better visualization)

paramTable.Properties.VariableNames = {'Input1', 'Input2', ...};

% Display the parameter table

disp(paramTable);

```

This code will display a table in the command window with your parameter values.

Option 2: GUI with `uitable` (UI Table)

If you want a more interactive and user-friendly way to visualize and edit your parameters, you can create a graphical user interface (GUI) using MATLAB's App Designer or GUIDE. You can include a `uitable` component in your GUI to display and edit the parameter values.

Here's a simplified example of creating a GUI with a `uitable`:

```matlab

% Create a figure for the GUI

fig = uifigure('Name', 'Parameter Editor');

% Create a UI table to display parameters

paramTable = uitable(fig);

paramTable.Position = [50, 50, 300, 200]; % Adjust the position and size

paramTable.Data = [val1; val2]; % Initialize data

% Add column names (optional)

paramTable.ColumnName = {'Input1', 'Input2'};

% Create a "Save" button to save changes

saveButton = uibutton(fig, 'push', 'Text', 'Save', 'Position', [50, 10, 70, 30]);

saveButton.ButtonPushedFcn = @(btn, event) saveParameters(paramTable.Data);

% Define a function to save the updated parameters

function saveParameters(updatedData)

% Update your parameters with the new values in updatedData

val1 = updatedData(1);

val2 = updatedData(2);

% ...

disp('Parameters saved.');

end

% Run the GUI

```

This code creates a basic GUI with a `uitable` that allows you to visualize and edit parameter values and a "Save" button to save changes.

You can customize the GUI further to suit your needs, including adding more parameters, handling errors, and saving/loading parameters from files if necessary.

Choose the option that best fits your requirements, whether it's a simple parameter table or a more interactive GUI with a `uitable`. Both options provide a more user-friendly way to manage and visualize your parameters compared to a script.

[SA-W]

How do I run the gui? You mentioned this as the last step.

Answer 2

[Fangjun Jiang]

Use the built-in variable editor is sufficient to visualize struct array. Just run this at the Command Window

open params