Assign column vector to a matrix row

This always works, but why? Is it legal?

vert = [1:4]',
horiz = [11:14],
mat = zeros(4,4)
mat(2,:)=vert, 
mat(3,:)=horiz

My vector is a column vector return by a function. I'm hoping to avoid an extra step just to transpose it.

[Azzi Abdelmalek]

What is your problem?

[Andrew Reibold]

This question made me laugh really hard, but I'm going to try to maintain professionality.

What are you trying to ask when you say "Is it legal?" I'm assuming you don't mean "Is it against the law?" !

Answer 1

[Matt J]

Yes, it is legal. From the documentation on SUBSASGN:

" For multidimensional arrays, a(I,J,K,...) = b assigns b to the specified elements of a. b must be length(I)-by-length(J)-by-length(K)-... or be shiftable to that size by adding or removing singleton dimensions. "

Here's another example where the mis-shaped right hand side of the assignment isn't even a vector,

    >> mat=zeros(4); a=rand(1,1,2,3);
    >> mat(1:2,1:3)=a

    mat =

        0.1779    0.8754    0.5206         0
        0.5702    0.1890    0.4129         0
             0         0         0         0
             0         0         0         0

[John Jeppson]

Thanks. Excellent answer!