path (MATLAB Function Reference)

path	Examples See Also

Control MATLAB's directory search path

Syntax

path
p = path
path('newpath')
path(path,'newpath')
path('newpath',path)

Description

path

prints out the current setting of MATLAB's search path. On all platforms except the Macintosh, the path resides in pathdef.m (in toolbox/local). The Macintosh stores its path in the Matlab Settings File (usually in the
Preferences folder).

p = path

returns the current search path in string variable p.

path('newpath')

changes the path to the string 'newpath'.

path(path,'newpath')

appends a new directory to the current path.

path('newpath',path)

prepends a new directory to the current path.

Remarks

MATLAB has a search path. If you enter a name, such as fox, the MATLAB interpreter:

1.: Looks for fox as a variable.

2.: Checks for fox as a built-in function.

3.: Looks in the current directory for fox.mex and fox.m.

4.: Searches the directories specified by path for fox.mex and fox.m.

Examples

Add a new directory to the search path on various operating systems:


UNIX:	`path(path,'/home/myfriend/goodstuff')`
VMS:	`path(path,'DISKS1:[MYFRIEND.GOODSTUFF]')`
MS-DOS:	`path(path,'TOOLS\GOODSTUFF')`
Macintosh:	`path(path,'Tools:GoodStuff')`