what Is the proper way to send data from App Designer to functions in the regular work space?

I am working on an app that generates output files by calling already existing functions. So my work is simply compiling the code with a nice interface for inputs. I am extremely confused on the concept of properties and I do not understand how to refer to the variables outside the app and in the regular functions so I can use their values. I know that in the app I can create public properties then get their value with app.X . however, the only way I got my code to somewhat work is to forgo app. notation. I've been trying to just directly pass variables into the function using its input like the example below but this doesn't seem to work.

[coords,elems] = csh_maker(Ca_Si_ratio,base_structure)

here is some of the app code

   properties (Access = public)
          VMD_path 
          coords
          elems
          base_structure
          Ca_Si_ratio % already defined as property error?

           % Description
      end

   function VMDPathMenuSelected(app, event)
              % creates input window for VMD path
              prompt = {'Enter Path to VMD:'};
              title = 'VMD Path';
              dimensions = [1 70]; % adjusts size of input box
              app.VMD_path = char(inputdlg(prompt,title,dimensions));
          end

% Button pushed function: viewvmd
      function viewvmdPushed(app, event)

            fTest = fullfile(pwd, 'TEST.xyz');
            cmd = [app.VMD_path ' ' fTest];
            system(cmd)

        end

% Button pushed function: CreateDataButton
        function CreateDataButtonPushed(app, event)
             Ca_Si_ratio = app.Ca_Si_ratio.Value;
             base_structure = app.base_structure; 
             [app.coords,app.elems] = csh_maker(Ca_Si_ratio,base_structure);
             write_vmd(app.coords,app.elems,'TEST.xyz');

% Value changed function: base_structure1
        function base_structure1ValueChanged(app, event)
            app.base_structure1 = app.base_structure1.Value
% choosing which file to use when generating output data
            if strcmp(app.base_structure1,'Hamids 11 Ang. Tobermorite')
                set(app.Ca_Si_ratio,'enable','on')
                app.base_structure = 'TB11.txt'
            elseif strcmp(app.base_structure1,'9 Ang. Tobermorite')
                set(app.Ca_Si_ratio,'enable','off')
                app.base_structure = '9A tob'
            elseif strcmp(app.base_structure1,'Merlinos 11 Ang. Tobermorite')
                set(app.Ca_Si_ratio,'enable','off')
                app.base_structure = '11A - Merlino.lammps05'
            elseif strcmp(app.base_structure1,'14 Ang. Tobermorite')
                set(app.Ca_Si_ratio,'enable','off')
                app.base_structure = '14A tob'
            elseif strcmp(app.base_structure1,'Portlandite')
                set(app.Ca_Si_ratio,'enable','off')
                app.base_structure = 'Portlandite'
            end

          end

One of my inputs is used in a function that is later called inside the main function, so it would be nice if I could initially use the input in its origin so I wouldn't have to pass the input through multiple functions. I am a matlab newbie so any help would be appreciated! thank you!

Answer 1

[Ajay Kumar]

doc assignin