How to store a function in a variable in MATLAB?

Question

Let's say I want to store the function y(x) = x + 2 in a variable.

Is there any way to save y = x + 2, and access as y(x)? For example, y(2)?

For functions with generic names like y the anonymous functions seem to be the way to go. However, for most you may want to just create regular functions. Note that you can have many functions in 1 file for easy handling. — Dennis Jaheruddin
– Dennis Jaheruddin, Commented Jan 31, 2014 at 14:33

gnovice · Accepted Answer · 2014-01-30 22:27:11Z

4

An anonymous function is what you're looking for:

>> y = @(x) x+2;
>> y(2)

ans =

     4

answered Jan 30, 2014 at 22:27

gnovice

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3 Comments

+1 Technically, the anonymous function is the right-hand side @(x) x+2, and y is a function handle to that anonymous function

@LuisMendo For general knowlage - for define this function, should I syms x first?

@user1798362 No, the x in the anonymous function's definition is an ordinary variable, not a symbolic variable