`str2func`

Creates a function handle from text.

Category: Language Fundamentals > Data Types

Syntax

fh = str2func(str)

Builds a handle from a function name or from the text of an anonymous function.

Description

str2func is the inverse of func2str. It is useful when the function to call comes from data, such as a name read from a file or typed by a user. A handle created from an anonymous function text is built in a fresh workspace, so it cannot capture variables from the caller.

Because the text of an anonymous function is parsed and evaluated, only use it with trusted input.

Input arguments

str: Name of a function, such as 'sin', or text starting with @, such as '@(x) x.^2'.

Output arguments

fh: Function handle that can be called like any other.

Example

Anonymous and named functions

f = str2func('@(x) x.^2 + 1');
f(3)
g = str2func('sin');
g(0)

Output

ans = 10
ans = 0

str2func