This paper introduces an automated code-generation tool that simplifies group-of-eight development for MATLAB classes. Using the tool, you can define a collection of public and private member variables along with an associated collection of public and private member functions. The tool will even give you a head start on class tailoring by generating a function template for public functions and helpers. The template includes the function definition along with reasonably complete header comments. This is convenient because it gives variable names and comment headers a consistent form with shared comments across all members of the class. The automation tool is called class wizard.m. The Class Wizard tool uses a graphical interface entirely developed using MATLAB's standard development tools. Dialog screens and callback functions were developed using Guide* and MATLAB 7.0. In addition, all of the code in class_wizard.m is native MATLAB.

Chapter Contents:

• 17.1 File Dependencies
• 17.2 Data-Entry Dialog Boxes
• 17.2.1 Main Class Wizard Dialog
• 17.2.1.1 Header Information Dialog
• 17.2.1.2 Parents ... Dialog
• 17.2.1.3 Private Variable ... Dialog
• 17.2.1.4 Concealed Variables ... Dialog
• 17.2.1.5 Public Variables ... Dialog
• 17.2.1.6 Constructors ... Dialog
• 17.2.1.7 More ... Dialog
• 17.2.1.8 Static Variables ... Dialog
• 17.2.1.9 Private Functions ... Dialog
• 17.2.1.10 Public Functions ... Dialog
• 17.2.1.11 File Menu
• 17.2.1.12 Data Menu
• 17.2.1.13 Build Class Files Button
• 17.3 Summary
• 17.4 Independent Investigations

Inspec keywords: object-oriented programming; graphical user interfaces

Other keywords: function template; class wizard.m function; MATLAB 7.0; Class Wizard tool; private member variable; callback function; public member variable; Matlab classes; function definition; graphical interface; private member function; header comment; dialog screen; Guide; code-generation tool; public member function

Subjects: Object-oriented programming; Graphical user interfaces