Setting object properties without returning the object using obj = obj.myfun(obj,argin)

Hello all,

I have a syntax question. I want to be able to set or add to properties of a custom class, but without using the cumbersome "obj = setPar1(obj,argin)" syntax, where the method setPar1 is some function that determines my object's new properties based on the current properties, and argin.

Here is a clear working example of what I mean:

    p = inputParser();
    addParameter(p,'par1',[])
    addOptional(p,'par2',[],@ischar)
    parse(p,varargin{:})
    

Really, this is three different examples. I am modifying my object p (an inputParser) by adding optional parameters, defaults, and validation functions. Then I am applying the method parse to p, using varargin{:} as the optional input. All of these modify the internal properties of p. This is all done without using something like

     p = addParameter(p,'par1',[]);

Ideally, I want something closer to:

      p.addParameter('par1',[]);

but would be fine with the above working example. How do I do this?

[D. Plotnick]

Note, I thought that the inputParser might actually be a handle class, rather than a _value_ object. I could see the above working if p was actually the input parser handle. As far as I can tell, this is not how the inputParser class functions (ishandle(p) returns false).

[Guillaume]

ishandle does not check if a variable is an instance of a handle class. It checks if the object is a graphic or java handle.

To check if a class is a handle class:

>> superclasses('inputParser')
Superclasses for class inputParser:
    matlab.mixin.Copyable
    handle

It is a handle class.

Answer 1

[Guillaume]

What you want is a handle class. See Comparison of Handle and Value Classes for more details.

Note that if you're not proficient with matlab and just a beginner with OOP, I wouldn't recommend you start writing handle classes until you've mastered value classes. Handle classes should be the exception rather than the norm in matlab.

[D. Plotnick]

Thanks, I brain-farted on ishandle.

No, I try to stay away from handle class objects unless I am doing UI work. Thanks again.