# Simple Matlab Query

#### JackSmall

Joined Apr 16, 2007
1
I am a real beginner with Matlab and am struggling to work my way through a script provided by a lecturer.

I have the lines:

Rich (BB code):
Data=load ('DataFile');
Data1_Temp =Data.Test1FinalArray(:,:,3:20)
and I'm not entirely sure I understand what the second line is doing. I've never seen an array be referenced with 3(!) parameters. Any help would be much appreciated.

Jack

#### ninotna77

Joined Apr 16, 2007
1
Hey - I'm sorry for my english, I'm not from english speaking country

Data.Test1FinalArray,:,3:20)

means that Data.Test1FinalArray is a 3D array
(it is often used in image processing, where 2 dimensions are used
for image itself, and the 3rd dimension is for chanel Red, Green, Blue)

Data.Test1FinalArray,:,3:20) takes all the ellements (samples) from
the first and second dimension, but only from 3 to 20 in the 3rd dimension.

simplier example:
a = [1 2 3 4; 5 6 7 8; 9 10 11 12];

2 3 4
a,2:4) is then 6 7 8
10 11 12

You can also find a good help in matlab, just type "demo" and press enter
and then in the chapitre Matlab-Programming-Manipulating Multidimension Arrays

Data.Test1FinalArray means just that Data is a structure with an object Test1FinalArray.

Don't hesitate to ask me - if you have any trouble with Matlab
ant.novak@gmail.com

Antony

#### Dave

Joined Nov 17, 2003
6,970
Further to the information given by ninotna77:

You find the colon operator ) one of Matlab's most powerful tools, particularly when vectorising code to optimise it. Since Matlab is an interpretted language, it can be quite slow when wading through lengthy code fragments such as for-loops, therefore by vectorising with the colon operator you can speed up your code 10-fold.

Open the Matlab help, and type "colon" in the search box to find its many uses.

Dave