How to recover an unsaved "untitled2.m" script after computer crashed

I have been working in an unsaved "untitled2.m" script when my computer crashed.

When restarting matlab this unsaved document was gone along with the .asv files in my current directory.

However, when opening a new script I noticed that the new scripts filename is "untitled3.m", which means that somewhere the "untitled2.m" document must exist. The question is where? I assume this is some temporary folder created somewhere while matlab is still running. But how do I access this folder/file using Macbook.

Answer 1

[Codey Nacke]

I had a similar issue and was able to recover the code. I had an untitled file that I was working on and hadn't yet saved when my power went out. I was able to find the script in the temp folder.

First, navigate to where Matlab is storing temp files by running tempdir then navigating to that folder in your file system.

Next, I found a folder called "Editor_wtfiy" that had a file called "LiveEditorEvaluationHelperE1112034879.m" that had a copy of my code. I assume that the "E1112034879" is a unique identifier for each script.

TLDR: Look in ~tempdir~/Editor_wtfiy/LiveEditorEvaluationHelper[...].m

[Saad Arshad]

This worked for me, thanks!

Answer 2

[Walter Roberson]

Look in the location indicated by the command tempdir .

However, in practice that directory is used for MATLAB mostly to store files being built into a .slx or .xlsx, or code extracts when running LiveScript or running regular script section by section ("Run and Advance")

You could also look under ~/Library/'Application Support'/MathWorks/MATLAB but I don't think you will find anything useful there.

Time to invoke Time Machine.

[Marie Bergelin]

Thank you!

I did look in the 'tempdir' folder, but I can find the content anywhere.

I was able to find the files that logs past commands in the command window in the '~/Library/'Application Support'/MathWorks/MATLAB' path. But only part of my code exist there.

The fact the the script number in the name increases every time I generate a new script, must mean that a file named "untitled2.m" exist.

[Walter Roberson]

The file name might hypothetically be handled by something recorded in prefdir .

I just tested on my system, creating some untitled files and deleting them all. The next file had the next sequence number. (At least within the same session; I did not test closing MATLAB.)

Answer 3

[Praprara]

Lol I came to this page 2 months ago for this same issue but since you hadn't commented, I wasn't been able to get back the file. But seeing this comment now, I finally know how to retrieve 'lost' matlab files. Thank you!