What is the calling priority for MATLAB functions?

If I call a MATLAB function at the command line or in a function, I would like to know what type of object or function will be referenced.

Answer 1

[MathWorks Support Team]

The following is the calling priority for functions and variables in MATLAB 7.0.1 (R14SP1) and MATLAB 7.0 (R14). For items 3 through 7 in this list, the file MATLAB searches for can be any of five types: a MATLAB or built-in (.bi) file, preparsed MATLAB code (P-Code), compiled C or Fortran file (MEX-file), or Simulink® model (MDL-file)

 High Priority

    Variable

    Subfunction

    Private function

    Class constructor

    Overloaded method

    Function in the current directory

    Function elsewhere in the path

 Low Priority

The following is the calling priority for functions and variables in previous releases of MATLAB.

 High Priority

    Variable

    Built-in function

    Subfunction

    Private function

    Mex-file

    P-file

    MATLAB file 

 Low Priority

Note, however, that constructors will always be called before non-constructors of the same name. If this weren't true, you wouldn't be able to create the object associated with that constructor.