MATLAB - Arrays

All variables of all data types in MATLAB are multidimensional arrays. A vector is a one-dimensional array and a matrix is a two-dimensional array.

We have already discussed vectors and matrices. In this chapter, we will discuss multidimensional arrays. However, before that, let us discuss some special types of arrays.

Special Arrays in MATLAB

In this section, we will discuss some functions that create some special arrays. For all these functions, a single argument creates a square array, double arguments create rectangular array.

The zeros() function creates an array of all zeros −

For example −

zeros(5)

MATLAB will execute the above statement and return the following result −

ans =
      0     0     0     0     0
      0     0     0     0     0
      0     0     0     0     0
      0     0     0     0     0
      0     0     0     0     0

The ones() function creates an array of all ones −

For example −

ones(4,3)

MATLAB will execute the above statement and return the following result −

ans =
      1     1     1
      1     1     1
      1     1     1
      1     1     1

The eye() function creates an identity matrix.

For example −

eye(4)

MATLAB will execute the above statement and return the following result −

ans =
      1     0     0     0
      0     1     0     0
      0     0     1     0
      0     0     0     1

The rand() function creates an array of uniformly distributed random numbers on (0,1) −

For example −

rand(3, 5)

MATLAB will execute the above statement and return the following result −

ans =
   0.8147    0.9134    0.2785    0.9649    0.9572
   0.9058    0.6324    0.5469    0.1576    0.4854
   0.1270    0.0975    0.9575    0.9706    0.8003

A Magic Square

A magic square is a square that produces the same sum, when its elements are added row-wise, column-wise or diagonally.

The magic() function creates a magic square array. It takes a singular argument that gives the size of the square. The argument must be a scalar greater than or equal to 3.

magic(4)

MATLAB will execute the above statement and return the following result −

ans =
   16     2     3    13
   5    11    10     8
   9     7     6    12
   4    14    15     1

Multidimensional Arrays

An array having more than two dimensions is called a multidimensional array in MATLAB. Multidimensional arrays in MATLAB are an extension of the normal two-dimensional matrix.

Generally to generate a multidimensional array, we first create a two-dimensional array and extend it.

For example, let's create a two-dimensional array a.

a = [7 9 5; 6 1 9; 4 3 2]

MATLAB will execute the above statement and return the following result −

a =
   7     9     5
   6     1     9
   4     3     2

The array a is a 3-by-3 array; we can add a third dimension to a, by providing the values like −

a(:, :, 2)= [ 1 2 3; 4 5 6; 7 8 9]

MATLAB will execute the above statement and return the following result −

a =

ans(:,:,1) =

   0   0   0
   0   0   0
   0   0   0

ans(:,:,2) =

   1   2   3
   4   5   6
   7   8   9

We can also create multidimensional arrays using the ones(), zeros() or the rand() functions.

For example,

b = rand(4,3,2)

MATLAB will execute the above statement and return the following result −

b(:,:,1) =
   0.0344    0.7952    0.6463
   0.4387    0.1869    0.7094
   0.3816    0.4898    0.7547
   0.7655    0.4456    0.2760

b(:,:,2) =
   0.6797    0.4984    0.2238
   0.6551    0.9597    0.7513
   0.1626    0.3404    0.2551
   0.1190    0.5853    0.5060

We can also use the cat() function to build multidimensional arrays. It concatenates a list of arrays along a specified dimension −

Syntax for the cat() function is −

B = cat(dim, A1, A2...)

Where,

• B is the new array created

• A1, A2, ... are the arrays to be concatenated

• dim is the dimension along which to concatenate the arrays

Example

Create a script file and type the following code into it −

a = [9 8 7; 6 5 4; 3 2 1];
b = [1 2 3; 4 5 6; 7 8 9];
c = cat(3, a, b, [ 2 3 1; 4 7 8; 3 9 0])

When you run the file, it displays −

c(:,:,1) =
      9     8     7
      6     5     4
      3     2     1
c(:,:,2) =
      1     2     3
      4     5     6
      7     8     9
c(:,:,3) =
      2     3     1
      4     7     8
      3     9     0

Array Functions

MATLAB provides the following functions to sort, rotate, permute, reshape, or shift array contents.

Examples

The following examples illustrate some of the functions mentioned above.

Length, Dimension and Number of elements −

Create a script file and type the following code into it −

x = [7.1, 3.4, 7.2, 28/4, 3.6, 17, 9.4, 8.9];
length(x)      % length of x vector
y = rand(3, 4, 5, 2);
ndims(y)       % no of dimensions in array y
s = ['Zara', 'Nuha', 'Shamim', 'Riz', 'Shadab'];
numel(s)       % no of elements in s

When you run the file, it displays the following result −

ans =  8
ans =  4
ans =  23

Circular Shifting of the Array Elements −

Create a script file and type the following code into it −

a = [1 2 3; 4 5 6; 7 8 9]  % the original array a
b = circshift(a,1)         %  circular shift first dimension values down by 1.
c = circshift(a,[1 -1])    % circular shift first dimension values % down by 1 
                           % and second dimension values to the left % by 1.

When you run the file, it displays the following result −

a =
   1     2     3
   4     5     6
   7     8     9

b =
   7     8     9
   1     2     3
   4     5     6

c =
   8     9     7
   2     3     1
   5     6     4

Sorting Arrays

Create a script file and type the following code into it −

v = [ 23 45 12 9 5 0 19 17]  % horizontal vector
sort(v)                      % sorting v
m = [2 6 4; 5 3 9; 2 0 1]    % two dimensional array
sort(m, 1)                   % sorting m along the row
sort(m, 2)                   % sorting m along the column

When you run the file, it displays the following result −

v =
   23    45    12     9     5     0    19    17
ans =
   0     5     9    12    17    19    23    45
m =
   2     6     4
   5     3     9
   2     0     1
ans =
   2     0     1
   2     3     4
   5     6     9
ans =
   2     4     6
   3     5     9
   0     1     2

Cell Array

Cell arrays are arrays of indexed cells where each cell can store an array of a different dimensions and data types.

The cell function is used for creating a cell array. Syntax for the cell function is −

C = cell(dim)
C = cell(dim1,...,dimN)
D = cell(obj)

Where,

• C is the cell array;

• dim is a scalar integer or vector of integers that specifies the dimensions of cell array C;

• dim1, ... , dimN are scalar integers that specify the dimensions of C;

• obj is One of the following −

  • Java array or object
  • .NET array of type System.String or System.Object

Example

Create a script file and type the following code into it −

c = cell(2, 5);
c = {'Red', 'Blue', 'Green', 'Yellow', 'White'; 1 2 3 4 5}

When you run the file, it displays the following result −

c = 
{
   [1,1] = Red
   [2,1] =  1
   [1,2] = Blue
   [2,2] =  2
   [1,3] = Green
   [2,3] =  3
   [1,4] = Yellow
   [2,4] =  4
   [1,5] = White
   [2,5] =  5
}

Accessing Data in Cell Arrays

There are two ways to refer to the elements of a cell array −

• Enclosing the indices in first bracket (), to refer to sets of cells
• Enclosing the indices in braces {}, to refer to the data within individual cells

When you enclose the indices in first bracket, it refers to the set of cells.

Cell array indices in smooth parentheses refer to sets of cells.

For example −

c = {'Red', 'Blue', 'Green', 'Yellow', 'White'; 1 2 3 4 5};
c(1:2,1:2)

MATLAB will execute the above statement and return the following result −

ans = 
{
   [1,1] = Red
   [2,1] =  1
   [1,2] = Blue
   [2,2] =  2
}

You can also access the contents of cells by indexing with curly braces.

For example −

c = {'Red', 'Blue', 'Green', 'Yellow', 'White'; 1 2 3 4 5};
c{1, 2:4}

MATLAB will execute the above statement and return the following result −

ans = Blue
ans = Green
ans = Yellow