The string() Function in Scilab

Within Scilab, one often encounters the need to represent numerical values as strings. It's what the string() function does.

string(x)

This versatile function isn't limited to just numbers. Whether you're working with matrices or other data types, it adeptly gives you their string representation.

A common misconception might be thinking that if x is already a string, the function might alter it in some way. However, the string() function is efficient: when given a string as its input, it directly returns the same string untouched.

Let’s delve into a quick demonstration.

Imagine you've assigned the number 10 to the variable x.

x=10

To represent this numerically defined value as a string, simply call:

string(x)

Voilà, the result is the familiar string "10".

"10"

Venturing further, let's craft a complex number.

Using the complex(2,3) function, we generate the number 2+3i

x=complex(2,3)

And then, to translate it into its string form.

string(x)

The output gracefully displays as:

"2+%i*3"

But the capabilities of the string() function stretch even further. For those dealing with arrays of numeric values, it has you covered.

Create an array, say M, with four distinct numeric values.

M=[1,2,3,4]

Invoke the string() function, and each element transforms seamlessly.

string(M)

Leading to an array of strings looking like:

"1" "2" "3" "4"