MATLAB Object-Oriented Programming

Properties

In this section...

“The Properties Block” on page 5-12

“Access to Property Values” on page 5-13

The Properties Block

Define class properties within a properties block:

classdef ClassName

properties (PropertyAttributes)

PropertyName class = DefaultValue

end

end

Property attributes apply to all properties defined within the block. To define properties

with different attributes, use multiple properties block. All property attributes have

default values. For a list of property attributes, see “Property Attributes” on page 8-9.

Optionally assign default values to the property in the properties block. MATLAB

evaluates the assignment statement when the class is first referenced or when loading a

saved object.

NoteEvaluation of property default values occurs only when the value is first needed,

and only once when MATLAB first initializes the class. MATLAB does not reevaluate the

expression each time you create an instance of the class.

For more information on the evaluation of expressions that you assign as property default

values, see “When MATLAB Evaluates Expressions” on page 6-13.

Properties with Different Attributes

The following class defines three properties. Model and Color use default attribute

values, resulting in public read and write access. SerialNumber has read-only access by

object users. Assign the SerialNumber property value from a class member function,

such as the constructor or other class method.

5 Class Definition—Syntax Reference