adding a label to a list of values

I have an m-file that will output a row of values to the same output file repeatedly, thus adding a new row each time I run this m-file. I need to label each new row with a unique identifier so later I remember which row corresponds to what set of data. Ideally I would like each row to look like this: Idenifier value1 value2 value3. However, I don't know where in my code I should add the identifier info to get the end result. Any ideas?

Here is the code I have so far, it's tested and it works.

p = [p1 p2 p3];

load('PlottingMatrix.txt');

    plottingmatrix = PlottingMatrix;

    plottingmatrix = [plottingmatrix
        p];
    dlmwrite('PlottingMatrix.txt', plottingmatrix)

Answer 1

[Fangjun Jiang]

dlmwrite() can only write matrix. What you need is a cell array that can combine string and numerical data, such as

a={'xdc1658',1,2,3}

To write that type data, fprintf() is more suitable. Check fopen(), fclose() too for examples.

Another hint is that you don't have to read and write previous data again and again, you can use fopen('PlottingMatrix.txt','wta') to specify that you want to append the text file. You only need to write the new data and it will be appended to the end of file.

[Jan]

+1: Agreed. FPRINTF is not only better than LOAD and DLMWRITE, it even works.

Answer 2

[Jenny]

p.s. the identifier will be something like this 'xdc1658', which is why I am having a hard time adding it to the p vector in the first line.

Answer 3

[Jenny]

Thanks for the tip, however, I am still stuck. This is what I have now:

p = {'Swo61670',p1,p2,p3};

fid = fopen('PlottingMatrix.txt', 'a')

   count = fwrite(fid, p);

count = fprintf(fid, '%c', PlottingMatrix)

When I try to use fwrite to add the vector p to the file, I get an error message: Error using ==> fwrite Cannot write value: unsupported class cell. But I can't figure out what else to use there. Also, I don't know what to choose for the conversion character when specifying the format string in fprintf. Thanks for your help.

[Walter Roberson]

count = fprintf(fid, '%s,%f,%f,%f\n', p{:});

[Jenny]

Thank you!