Description

function <lhs_arguments>=<function_name><rhs_arguments>
  <statements>
endfunction

Where

<function_name>

stands for the name of the function

<rhs_arguments>

stands for the input argument list. It may be

• a comma separated sequence of variable names enclosed in parenthesis, like (x1,...,xm). Last variable name can be the key word varargin (see varargin)

• the sequence () or nothing, if the function has no input argument.

<lhs_arguments>

stands for the output argument list. It may be

• a comma separated sequence of variable names enclosed in brackets, like [y1,...,yn]. Last variable name can be the key word varargout (see varargout)

• the sequence [], if the function has no output argument. In this case the syntax may also be: function <function_name><rhs_arguments>

<statements>

stands for a set of Scilab instructions (statements). This syntax may be used to define function (see functions) inline or in a script file (see exec). For compatibility with old Scilab versions, functions defined in a script file containing only function definitions can be "loaded" into Scilab using the exec function.

The function <lhs_arguments>=<function_name><rhs_arguments> sequence cannot be split over several lines. This sequence can be followed by statements in the same line if a comma or a semicolon is added at its end.

Note that <function_name> must respect some syntax rules (see names).

Function definitions can be nested.

Examples

//inline definition (see function)
function [x, y]=myfct(a, b)
x=a+b
y=a-b
endfunction

[x,y]=myfct(3,2)

//an one line function definition
function y=sq(x),y=x^2,endfunction

sq(3)

//nested functions definition
function y=foo(x)
a=sin(x)
function y=sq(x), y=x^2,endfunction
y=sq(a)+1
endfunction

foo(%pi/3)

// definition in a script file (see exec)
exec SCI/modules/elementary_functions/macros/asinh.sci;

See also

• functions — Scilab procedures and Scilab objects
• exec — script file execution
• names — Naming rules for variables and functions

History