How do I pass by reference, a structure to a function (an .m file) in an argument list?

I am calling an .m file function which as format: "function[] = myFunctionName(structA,structB)" in top line, followed by lines of code and completed with an end statement. I am sendiing the function very large data entities,...huge arrays for example. And I want to edit (change values) these arrays in the function. So when I call this function in the body of the program,...ie myFunctionName(hugeStructure) I suspect hugeStructure will be sent as a copy (value) which will take a lot of memory and not change the value in the calling routine. If hugeStructure is sent by reference (ie a pointer), then only the structure address will be sent which cuts way down on overhead and memory in addition to allowing me to change the structure in the calling routine. Q1: is there a way I can force hugeStructure be sent via reference? Q2: If hugeStructure is in both the input list and output list, will it be sent by reference?

Function main:

function[] = main()

inStruct.Val1 = 5;

inStruct.Val2 = 105;

inStruct.Val3 = 505;

simpleMath2(inStruct);

aaa = 5;

end

Calls function simplemath2:

function[] = simpleMath(hugeStructure)

hugeStructure.Val1 = hugeStructure.Val1 + 50;

hugeStructure.Val2 = hugeStructure.Val2 + 50;

hugeStructure.Val3 = hugeStructure.Val3 + 50;

end

The values in function main do not change after calling simplemath2.

Answer 1

[Sean de Wolski]

Author a simple handle class that has the structure as a property

classdef referenceStruct < handle
    properties
       S struct
    end
end

Now use this.

rs = referenceStruct;
rs.S.Var1 = pi;
somefunction(rs)