Save the user input dropdown item permanently and set a call back function to run when dropdown option is selected

Hi,

I am Creating a drop down list (option1,option2,option3,option4) each when selected and press the run button, corresponding .m files are called and executed.

I want the user to add the dropdown option in app (eg: Option5) and run the corresponding .m file.

I am trying the code and is attached below. The problem is I can add dropdown item but how to assign the corresponding .m file to run when i press the run button.

Also, I want to store that dropdown option added newly and the corresponding .m file in the app permanently.

Please help me with this

I am trying this code:

        function AddButtonPushed(app, event)
            new = app.EditField2.Value;
            if ~any(ismember(app.DropDown.Items,new))
                app.DropDown.Items = [app.DropDown.Items new];
            end
        end

Answer 1

[Akanksha]

Hey Harish M Y,

You are facing the problem with A mapping structure (like a containers.Map) to associate each dropdown item with a .m file.

Create a Mapping Between Dropdown Items and .m Files

% In properties section 
properties (Access = private) 
FileMap % Map to store dropdown item -> .m file mapping 
end 
% In startupFcn or initialization 
app.FileMap = containers.Map(... 
    {'Option1', 'Option2', 'Option3'}, ... 
    {'file1.m', 'file2.m', 'file3.m'}); 

Add New Option and Associate It with a File :

function AddButtonPushed(app, event) 
newOption = app.EditField2.Value;      % Dropdown label 
newFile = app.EditField3.Value;        % Corresponding .m file 
if ~any(strcmp(app.DropDown.Items, newOption)) 
    app.DropDown.Items = [app.DropDown.Items, newOption]; 
    app.FileMap(newOption) = newFile;  % Associate label with file 
    end 
end 

Run the File Associated with the Selected Option :

function RunButtonPushed(app, event) 
selectedOption = app.DropDown.Value; 

if isKey(app.FileMap, selectedOption) 
    run(app.FileMap(selectedOption));  % Run the mapped file 
    else 
        uialert(app.UIFigure, 'No file mapped to this option.', 'Error'); 
        end 
end 

Save the Mapping to a File (for Persistence) :

% Save to MAT file for persistence 
save('filemap.mat', 'newOption', 'newFile', '-append'); 

Load the Mapping When the App Starts :

if isfile('filemap.mat') 
    S = load('filemap.mat'); 
    if isfield(S, 'newOption') && isfield(S, 'newFile') 
        app.FileMap = containers.Map(S.newOption, S.newFile); 
        app.DropDown.Items = keys(app.FileMap); 
        end 
else 
    % Default options 
    app.FileMap = containers.Map(... 
        {'Option1', 'Option2'}, ... 
        {'file1.m', 'file2.m'}); 
    app.DropDown.Items = keys(app.FileMap); 
end 

This will ensure to permanently store the dropdown option and its associated .m file.

Adding these code snippets will make sure that you are able assign the .m file and run it as and when required.

Kindly go through the following links for further reference:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/ref/matlab.ui.control.dropdown.html

https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/app-designer.html

https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/ref/containers.map-class.html

Hope this helps!