Importing data from pre-defined lists

Hello,

I have very limited use in MATLAB (I have used MATLAB for very basic operations in the past but, not really to program anything) and I am hoping I can get help with the following task. I want to create a VLE flash calculator in MATLAB that allows the user to select the components of their system from a predefined list of components (the list must contain information on the physical properties of each component) and have the user enter compositions, temperature and pressure into the function before the the calculator runs.

I don't need help with the flash calculation; however, I would appreciate advice regarding the most efficient way to create my predefined list of components containing physical properties and how to set up the MATLAB code so that I can run the calculator as I describe above.

Thank you very much for the help!