axes & subplot etc. return double instead of matlab.gra​phics.axis​.Axes

I need to use the Axes object to change my figure's appearance. But all the functions that should return 'matlab.graphics.axis.Axes' are actually returning 'double'. For example typing

class (axes())

returns 'double' even though a figure is created. My MATLAB is installed on Arch Linux, and otherwise works fine. There's another installation on a separate machine on centos, and that returns 'matlab.graphics.axis.Axes'. Can I fix this problem?

Answer 1

[jonas]

Probably due to your pre-2014b MATLAB release

https://se.mathworks.com/help/matlab/graphics_transition/graphics-handles-are-now-objects-not-doubles.html

[Mohit Sharma]

OK thanks! I thought there is something wrong in the support libraries. However, how do I perform the equivalent of this code?

ax = gca;
ax.YAxis.Exponent = 2;

I am guessing to use the function set, but not sure how it would work with 'YAxis.Exponent'.

[jonas]

Not sure when the dot-notation was introduced, but perhaps at the same time? Unfortunately the parent of the 'exponent' property is the 'yruler', which I believe has been renamed to 'yaxis' (but both still work in 2018a). The problem is that the xruler was always a hidden property , and I'm not sure how to access it prior to 2014b. You can try the following:

h=get(gca,'yaxis');
set(h,'exponent',2)

Or perhaps

h=get(gca,'yruler');
set(h,'exponent',2)

I don't have an older release installed, so I cannot verify myself

[Mohit Sharma]

OK, thanks. I have not been able to change the exponent, and still searching the local help files for a solution.