Unfortunately, Matlab's subsref function does not support the end -operator. The end -operator is a powerfull method to refer to the rear-end of an array,

 a = 1:10;
 a(end-1) % is 9
 a(end-2:end) % is [8 9 10]

It works similar for cell arrays and struct-arrays.

Alhough subsref is quite powerful, and accepts for example the : colon oparator, it fails to process more complex stings, including end -operators.

This assignment is to create a function that accepts those more complex element definitions.

For example

 s.a.b(3).c{2}.d = 'a':'z';
 subsref(s,substruct('.','a','.','b','()',{3},'.','c','{}',{2},'.','d','()',{1:3})) 

returns

 ans = 
 abc  

And

subsrefbetter(s,substruct('.','a','.','b','()',{3},'.','c','{}',{2},'.','d','()',{'[1 end]'})) 

should return

 ans = 
 az  

and

subsrefbetter(s,substruct('.','a','.','b','()',{3},'.','c','{}',{2},'.','d','()',{'end-2:end'})) 

should return

 ans =
 xyz

The function subsrefbetter should accept both structures like created with substruct, and list of arguments like accepted by substruct.

That's all.

Solution Stats

16 Solutions

6 Solvers

Last Solution submitted on May 28, 2026

Last 200 Solutions

Problem Comments

Solution Comments

Show comments
Loading...

Problem Recent Solvers6

Suggested Problems

More from this Author31

Community Treasure Hunt

Find the treasures in MATLAB Central and discover how the community can help you!

Start Hunting!