Question

I have a function in Matlab that has some variables in it. I need to print out the variable_names (in case of an exception etc.). I am aware of inputname function but it works for input_arguments only.

mat = [ 1 2 ; 3 4 ] ;

% disp(['Error in var: ' ??(a)])
% desired ouput: Error in var: mat     (and NOT 1 2 ; 3 4!)

Thanks!

Answer 1

Matlab essentially does not let you do that. However, you can write a helper function to ease your pain in creating output like that:

function disp_msg_var(msg, v)
  disp([msg inputname(2)]);
end

which you could call like so in your case:

disp_msg_var('Error in: ', a);

You can read more discussion on the topic on the Mathworks forum

Additionally, to list all current variables with values you can use the who function, but that is not the problem you presented.