Using function on another function

Question

I have the following working function (a). This function is responsible to solve error within another function.

function [a] = algorithm1(z)
if (z==0)
    j=1;
    a=j;
    disp('Your computer is switch on from state offline')
elseif (z==1)
    j=1;
    a=j;
    disp('Your computer is working properly')
elseif (z==2)
    %j=2;  Value 2 for status of rebooting
    disp('Your computer is rebooting')
    j=1;
    a=j;
    disp('Your computer is working properly after rebooting')
else
    disp('unidentified error')
end

end

My problem is how to make another function(b) that will take the function(a) above as its solution. I was hoping it would come out like this

T=100 status 1, your computer is working properly
T=101 status 1, your computer is working properly
T=102 status 2, your computer is working properly after rebooting
.
.
.
T=200 status 1, your computer is working properly

The T is a looping function and the status function(b) is generated randomly. How can I give function (a) to function (b) so that it will continously solve error using function (a).

Suever · Accepted Answer · 2016-07-16 18:34:38Z

1

If you want to pass a function to another function you need to use a function handle to an anonymous function.

The general syntax looks like this:

handle = @(input1, input2)function_to_call(input1, other_input, input2)

In your case, you could write function b like this

function b(afunction)
    for k = 1:100
        afunction(randi([1 2]));
    end
end

Then call b passing it a handle to a.

afunction = @(z)a(z);
% or just: afunction = @a

b(afunction)

Alternately, if both a and b are on your path, you can simply call a directly from b.

function b()
    for k = 1:100
        a(randi([1 2]));
    end
end

edited Jul 16, 2016 at 18:34

answered Jul 16, 2016 at 15:41

Suever

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2 Comments

horchler Over a year ago

I'm sure you know this, but I'll be pedantic because I see the terms mis-used all of the time: an anonymous function is not "also called a function handle." The link indicates the, perhaps subtle, difference. I like to think of the two in the same way as a pointer and a memory address.

Suever Over a year ago

@horchler I agree that it's a subtle but important distinction. I'll update it. How do you think it would be worded best?

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