Writing a matrix as column vectors

Hello! If I have a m x n matrix Y, how do I represent it in matlab as Y = [y1, ...., yn], where y1,...., yn are column vectors?

Is it Y = [y1:yn] ? But then, how do I define the column vectors so that matlab recognizes it?

[the cyclist]

It is unclear to me what you mean when you say "represent" and "recognize". Do you have the matrix Y already, and you are trying to create separate variable y1, y2, ..., yn? Or do you have the individual columns in variable y1, y2, .... yn already, and you want to concatenate them into one matrix?

Or is it something else that you are trying to do?

Answer 1

[Kevin Holst]

If Y is a workspace variable that is an m x n matrix, then you can extract the column vectors by: y1 = Y(:,1); etc. Is that what you're trying to do?

[Walter Roberson]

... with all of those variables created automatically in the workspace, numbered sequentially, and with the matrix width variable so a variable number of those individually-named variables would have to be created...

Answer 2

[Walter Roberson]

You asked about this before. The answer is "Please don't do that!" http://matlab.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ#How_can_I_create_variables_A1.2C_A2.2C....2CA10_in_a_loop.3F

And please do not delete your Questions once someone has answered them. You can edit a Question for clarification, but please do not delete it. For example, the information I posted about the possibilities of the symbolic toolbox was potentially of use to other people.