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How do I add a pause in MATLAB?

Published in Matlab Programming 2 mins read

To add a pause in MATLAB, you use the built-in pause function. This function allows you to temporarily halt the execution of your script or function.

The pause function takes an optional argument specifying the duration of the pause in seconds.

Using the pause Function

The primary way to add a pause is by calling the pause function with a numeric argument:

pause(n)

Where n is the number of seconds you want the program to pause. This can be an integer or a floating-point number.

Examples of Pausing for a Specific Duration

You can specify the pause duration in seconds, including fractions for very short pauses.

  • Pause for 3 seconds:
    pause(3)

  • Pause for 5 milliseconds (0.005 seconds):
    pause(5/1000)

Here's a simple example script demonstrating this:

disp('Starting execution...');
pause(3); % Pause for 3 seconds
disp('Continuing after 3 seconds.');

disp('Pausing for 50 milliseconds...');
pause(50/1000); % Pause for 50 milliseconds
disp('Continuing after 50 milliseconds.');

Creating an Infinite Pause

You can also use the pause function to create an indefinite pause that waits for user interaction.

  • Infinite Pause:
    pause(inf)

Typing pause(inf) puts your MATLAB session into an infinite loop. The execution will not resume until you manually interrupt it.

To exit the infinite pause and return to the MATLAB prompt, you need to press Ctrl+C on your keyboard.

Summary Table

Here's a quick overview of the pause function usages based on the provided information:

Usage Description How to Resume
pause(n) Pauses execution for n seconds. Automatically after n seconds
pause(inf) Pauses execution indefinitely. Enters infinite loop. Press Ctrl+C

Using the pause function is straightforward and essential for controlling the flow of your MATLAB programs when timing or interaction is needed.

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