title: ignoring return value syntax?
body: <p>In Matlab, the tilda symbol can be used to ignore a certain parameter from a function that returns multiple parameters. However, when I try the same code in Octave, I get a syntax error.</p>
  
  <p>I have two questions:</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li><p>Why does Octave not support this? (i.e. bug, future enhancement, design decision, etc.)</p></li>
  <li><p>What's the alternative syntax in Octave, if any (without just putting a "dummy variable" into the spot then clearing that variable)? Additionally, is this alternative syntax Matlab compatible?</p></li>
  </ol>
  
  <pre><code>
  % this is valid Matlab code, but will result in a syntax error in Octave
  [colA, colB, ~, colC] = textread('data.txt', '%d %d %s %d', 1);
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Fyi, I'm using Octave 3.2.4 compiled for windows with some Octave Forge packages.</p>