Calling Nested Functions :: Types of Functions (Programming)

Programming

Calling Nested Functions

You can call a nested function

From the level immediately above it. (In the following code, function A can call B or D, but not C or E.)
From a function nested at the same level within the same parent function. (Function B can call D, and D can call B.)
From a function at any lower level. (Function C can call B or D, but not E.)

function A(x, y)              % Primary function
B(x, y);
D(y);

   function B(x, y)           % Nested in A
   C(x);
   D(y);

      function C(x)           % Nested in B
      D(x);
      end
   end

   function D(x)              % Nested in A
   E(x);

      function E(x)           % Nested in D
      ...
      end
   end
end

You can also call a subfunction from any nested function in the same M-file.

You can pass variable numbers of arguments to and from nested functions, but you should be aware of how MATLAB interprets varargin, varargout, nargin, and nargout under those circumstances. See Passing Optional Arguments to Nested Functions in the MATLAB Programming documentation for more information on this.

Note If you construct a function handle for a nested function, you can call the nested function from any MATLAB function that has access to the handle. See Using Function Handles with Nested Functions.

Nested Functions Variable Scope in Nested Functions