Return values are an essential aspect of MATLAB Functions. They allow functions to output results, making them reusable and modular components in your MATLAB programs.

Basic Syntax

In MATLAB, you can specify return values using the following syntax:

function [output1, output2, ...] = functionName(input1, input2, ...)
    % Function body
    % Calculations and operations
    output1 = ...;
    output2 = ...;
end

Single Return Value

For functions with a single return value, you can omit the square brackets:

function result = addNumbers(a, b)
    result = a + b;
end

To use this function:

sum = addNumbers(5, 3);
disp(sum); % Outputs: 8

Multiple Return Values

MATLAB allows functions to return multiple values, which is particularly useful for complex operations:

function [sum, difference, product] = mathOperations(a, b)
    sum = a + b;
    difference = a - b;
    product = a * b;
end

To use a function with multiple return values:

[s, d, p] = mathOperations(10, 5);
disp(s); % Outputs: 15
disp(d); % Outputs: 5
disp(p); % Outputs: 50

Ignoring Return Values

You can ignore specific return values by using the tilde (~) character:

[~, difference, ~] = mathOperations(10, 5);
disp(difference); % Outputs: 5

Variable Number of Return Values

MATLAB supports functions with a variable number of return values using the varargout cell array:

function varargout = flexibleOutput(n)
    for i = 1:n
        varargout{i} = i^2;
    end
end

This function can be called with different numbers of output arguments:

[a, b, c] = flexibleOutput(3);
disp([a, b, c]); % Outputs: 1 4 9

[x, y] = flexibleOutput(2);
disp([x, y]); % Outputs: 1 4

Best Practices

Name your return values descriptively to enhance code readability.
Use multiple return values to group related outputs logically.
Consider using structures for functions with many return values.
Document the purpose and type of each return value in your function comments.
Use nargout to determine the number of requested outputs in variable output functions.

Related Concepts

To further enhance your understanding of MATLAB functions and their return values, explore these related topics:

Mastering return values in MATLAB will significantly improve your ability to create efficient and reusable code, enhancing your overall programming skills in this powerful scientific computing environment.