Document and Share Code Using Examples

An example is a readable version of a MATLAB® code file that shows how to a solve particular problem. MATLAB and all MATLAB toolboxes include examples. You also can create your own examples from your source code files. Creating an example enables you to clearly document the steps of a task, because examples combine comments, code, and output together in a formatted document.

For instance, the code in the following figure demonstrates the Fourier series expansion for a square wave. When published, the example includes the explanatory text, code, and output.

MATLAB Code with Markup

Published Example

To create an example:

  1. Create a MATLAB script or function. Divide the code into steps or sections by inserting two percent signs (%%) at the beginning of each section.

  2. Document the code by adding explanatory comments at the beginning of the file and within each section.

    Within the comments at the top of each section, you can add markup that enhances the readability of the output. For example, the code in the preceding table includes the following markup.


    %% Square Waves from Sine Waves

    %% Add an Odd Harmonic and Plot It

    %% Note About Gibbs Phenomenon

    Variable name in italics

    % As _k_ increases, ...

    LaTeX equation

    % $$ y = y + \frac{sin(k*t)}{k} $$

  3. Publish the code. On the Publish tab, click Publish.

    By default, MATLAB creates a subfolder named html, which contains an HTML file and files for each graphic that your code creates. The HTML file includes the code, formatted comments, and output. Alternatively, you can publish to other formats, such as PDF files or Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentations.

To share published examples with others in the MATLAB community, submit them to the File Exchange. Include the original .m file and the html subfolder.

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