When working with file paths in MATLAB, it’s important to construct valid file specifications that are platform-independent. The matlab fullfile function in MATLAB allows you to easily build full file paths by joining folder and file names. In this article, we’ll delve into the details of the fullfile function and provide examples of its usage.
Syntax
The syntax of the fullfile function is as follows:
f = fullfile(filepart1, ..., filepartN);
Description
The fullfile function constructs a full file specification by joining the specified folder and file names. It inserts platform-dependent file separators as needed, without adding a trailing separator. The file separator character is a backslash (\) on Windows platforms and a forward slash (/) on UNIX platforms.
It’s important to note that fullfile replaces all forward slashes (/) with backslashes (\) on Windows. However, on UNIX platforms, the backslash character is not replaced as it is a valid character in file names.
Examples
Let’s explore some examples of using the fullfile function:
Create a Full File Path on Windows
f = fullfile('myfolder', 'mysubfolder', 'myfile.m');
% Result: 'myfolder\mysubfolder\myfile.m'
Create a Full File Path on UNIX
f = fullfile('myfolder', 'mysubfolder', 'myfile.m');
% Result: 'myfolder/mysubfolder/myfile.m'
Create Paths to Multiple Files on Windows
f = fullfile('c:\', 'myfiles', 'matlab', {'myfile1.m'; 'myfile2.m'});
% Result:
% 'c:\myfiles\matlab\myfile1.m'
% 'c:\myfiles\matlab\myfile2.m'
Collapse File Separators and Dot Symbols on Windows
f = fullfile('c:\', 'folder1', '\\\folder2\\\\');
% Result: 'c:\folder1\folder2\'
f = fullfile('c:\folder1', '.\folder2', '..\folder3\.');
% Result: 'c:\folder1\folder2\..\folder3\.'
Conclusion – matlab fullfile function
The fullfile function in MATLAB is a powerful tool for constructing valid file paths while accounting for platform-specific file separators. By using this function, you can ensure that your code works seamlessly on both Windows and UNIX platforms, making your file operations more robust and reliable.