How to make function assign variables that will stick around after the function is done running?

For example:

function test(x)
        car.color = x;
   end

if i first input

global car

I want car.color to exist after i input test('red')

Answer 1

[Star Strider]

Have it return the structure ‘car’ as an output:

function car = test(x)
    car.color = x;
end
%
car = test('red')

produces:

car = 
    color: 'red'

[Solarmew]

but "car" doesn't exist anymore after the function has ran :( i want it to still be stored somewhere in the memory

i guess car = test('red') works ... i think <.<

edit: nope, running another function like

function car = test(x)
    car.make = x;
end
%
car = test('mazda')

removed color and just leaves "make"

I need to be able to apply functions to the same structure to pile on attributes

[Star Strider]

Try this:

car = struct('make',[],'model',[],'color',[],'year',[]);
% 
    function y = test1(x)
        car(1).color = x;
        y = car;
    end
% 
    function y = test2(x)
        car(1).make = x;
        y = car;
    end
% 
y = test1('red');
y = test2('Mazda');
% 
car

produces:

car = 
    make: 'Mazda'
    model: []
    color: 'red'
    year: []

[Solarmew]

errrr, no, still doesn't assign anything for some reason :<

       make: []
      model: []
      color: []
       year: []

[Star Strider]

It did for me. Did you copy-paste-run the code I posted? (I’m running R2015a, but it should run on all recent releases.)

Post the code you’re running if it’s different from what I posted.

[Solarmew]

[Star Strider]

Run my code in a single script file. You may be inadvertently clearing the structure by running it in the Command Window.

[Solarmew]

ah, i see, that worked! Thank you :]

[Star Strider]

My pleasure!