To immediately stop the execution of a running command or script in the MATLAB® Command Window, you can use specific keyboard shortcuts.
Interrupting Execution in MATLAB
The primary way to halt a command or script that is currently running in the MATLAB Command Window is by using a keyboard interrupt signal. This is a standard method used in many command-line environments to stop a process.
Based on the provided reference:
To stop execution of a MATLAB® command, press Ctrl+C or Ctrl+Break.
This action sends an interrupt signal to the MATLAB engine, prompting it to stop the current operation.
Keyboard Shortcuts to Stop Execution
You have two main options for keyboard shortcuts to stop a running MATLAB command:
- Ctrl+C
- Ctrl+Break
These shortcuts are typically pressed simultaneously while the command is executing in the Command Window.
Here's a quick summary:
| Action | Keyboard Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Stop Execution | Ctrl+C |
| Stop Execution | Ctrl+Break |
When to Use These Shortcuts
You would typically use Ctrl+C or Ctrl+Break when:
- A command or script is taking too long to complete.
- A script has entered an infinite loop.
- You realize a command has an error and want to stop it before it finishes.
- You accidentally started a long computation.
Pressing these keys attempts to interrupt the running code. MATLAB will then usually display a message indicating that execution has been stopped, and the command prompt (>>) will reappear, allowing you to enter new commands.
Note: While these shortcuts work for most operations, some low-level operations or external calls might not be immediately interruptible.
