MATLAB Object-Oriented Programming

Handle Class Destructor

In this section...

“Basic Knowledge” on page 7-16

“Syntax of Handle Class Destructor Method” on page 7-16

“Handle Object During delete Method Execution” on page 7-17

“Support Destruction of Partially Constructed Objects” on page 7-18

“When to Define a Destructor Method” on page 7-19

“Destructors in Class Hierarchies” on page 7-20

“Object Lifecycle” on page 7-20

“Restrict Access to Object Delete Method” on page 7-22

“Nondestructor Delete Methods” on page 7-23

“Java Objects Referencing MATLAB Objects” on page 7-23

Basic Knowledge

Class destructor – a method named delete that MATLAB calls implicitly before

destroying an object of a handle class. Also, user-defined code can call delete explicitly

to destroy an object.

Nondestructor – a method named delete that does not meet the syntax requirements of

a valid destructor. Therefore, MATLAB does not call this method implicitly when

destroying handle objects. A method named delete in a value class is not a destructor. A

method named delete in a value class that sets the HandleCompatible attribute to

true is not a destructor.

“Object Lifecycle” on page 7-20

“Method Attributes” on page 9-5

Syntax of Handle Class Destructor Method

MATLAB calls the destructor of a handle class when destroying objects of the class.

MATLAB recognizes a method named delete as the class destructor only if you define

delete as an ordinary method with the appropriate syntax.

7 Value or Handle Class — Which to Use