Command save writes to a nonreadable text file

When I execute the below Script file

x = 2; y = x^5;

save result.txt y

and open result.txt in MATLAB, the text shown is not readable.

What tpye of encoding is this? I know that when I add -ascii the text becomes readable, but I'm curious to learn the type of encoding above and why is it the default text file.

Answer 1

[Cris LaPierre]

The save command as written is creating a mat file. To create a text file, use the '-ascii' flag.

x = 2; 
y = x^5
save result.txt y -ascii

You can read more and see an example here.

[Walter Roberson]

To expand slightly:

save() does not examine the file extension to figure out whether binary or text form is desired. save() always writes in binary unless you specifically ask for text.

See https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/93868-is-there-documentation-on-the-structure-of-mat-files-in-matlab#answer_103219