How to detect ~ in output argument list, so as to avoid memory allocation inside called function

We need a mechanism to detect ~ in the output argument list from inside the called function. I have a very real use case where such detection inside the called function would avoid unnecessary memory allocation of a significant amount.

After all, we do have inputname(), why do we not have outputname()?

In caller scope:

[~,~,c] = myFunction(stuff);

Definition of myFunction:

function [a,b,c] = myFunction(varargin)

if weHaveATildaInOutputArgument(1)
   % avoid allocating a huge amount of memory for parameter, a.
else
   % allocate memory for output parameter, a.
   etc.
end
return

Answer 1

[Sean de Wolski]

Pass in an extra input parameter as a flag that the function can use to dictate the expected behavior.