created a function that inputs coordinate points like (1,2) in a loop for n number of points and keeps the x and y in seperate arrays. problem is it is only taking the first numbers entered... any clues?

function[x,y] = readCoordinates(n)

    x = zeros(n,1);
    y = zeros(n,1);
   for i = 1:n 
        enterString = input('Please enter coordinates within parentheses seperated by a comma.','s');
        components = sscanf(enterString,'%c%d%c%d%c');
        x(i) = components(2);
        y(i) = components(4);
   end

end

Answer 1

[John Chilleri]

Hello,

Your code will work with one simple change:

function[x,y] = readCoordinates(n)
   x = zeros(n,1);
   y = zeros(n,1);
   for i = 1:n 
        enterString = input('Please enter coordinates within parentheses seperated by a comma.','s');
        components = sscanf(enterString,'%c%f%c%f%c');
        x(i) = components(2);      % CHANGE ^   ^ from d to f
        y(i) = components(4);
   end
end

This will search for floating point numbers which will solve the problem.

You might also consider changing,

'%c%f%c%f%c' to '(%f,%f)'

which would require changing,

x(i) = components(1);
y(i) = components(2);

but this is more of a stylistic preference, and I haven't fully considered the repercussions of either.

Hope this helps!