Piecewise defined function builder

Constructs a callable function that applies different definitions based on supplied conditions.
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Updated 21 Aug 2007

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F = PIECEWISE(COND1,DEFN1,...CONDn,DEFNn,DEFAULT) returns a callable
function F that applies different definitions according to supplied
conditions. For a given X, F(X) will test COND1 and apply DEFN1 if true,
etc. If all conditions fail, then DEFAULT is applied. For any particular
input, the first condition to match is the only one applied.

Each condition should be either a:
* function handle evaluating to logical values, or
* vector [a b] representing membership in the half-open interval [a,b).
Each definition should be either a:
* function handle, or
* scalar value.
The DEFAULT definition is optional; if omitted, it will be set to NaN.

All function definitions can accept multiple input variables, but they
all must accept the same number as in the call to F. They also should
all be vectorized, returning results the same size and shape as their
inputs. Complex inputs will work if the definitions are set up
accordingly; in that case, intervals will be tested using only Re parts.

The special syntax F() displays all the conditions and definitions for F.

Examples:
f = piecewise([-1 1],@(x) 1+cos(pi*x),0); % a "cosine bell"
ezplot(f,[-2 2])
g = piecewise(@(x) sin(x)<0.5,@sin,@(x) 1-sin(x));
ezplot(g,[-2*pi 2*pi])
h = piecewise(@(x,y) (x<0)|(y<0),@(x,y) sin(x-y)); % defined on L
ezsurf(h,[-1 1])
chi = piecewise(@(x,y,z) x.^2+y.^2+z.^2<1,1,0); % characteristic func
[ triplequad(chi,-1,1,-1,1,-1,1), 4/3*pi ]
ans =
4.1888 4.1888

Cite As

Toby Driscoll (2024). Piecewise defined function builder (https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/15851-piecewise-defined-function-builder), MATLAB Central File Exchange. Retrieved .

MATLAB Release Compatibility
Created with R2007a
Compatible with any release
Platform Compatibility
Windows macOS Linux
Acknowledgements

Inspired by: Piecewise functions

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Version Published Release Notes
1.0.0.0

Improved documentation on overlapping definitions and on complex inputs.