Directions for having MATLAB startup in your last working directory

startup.m is executed every time MATLAB is launched. Directions on creating a startup.m file are at: (http://www.mathworks.com/access/helpdesk/help/techdoc/matlab_env/start_q4.shtml)

finish.m is executed every time MATLAB is shut down. Directions on creating a finish.m file are at: (http://www.mathworks.com/access/helpdesk/help/techdoc/ref/finish.shtml)

Copyright 2004 The MathWorks, Inc

Contents

• Modification to startup.m
• Modification to finish.m

Modification to startup.m

Add the following code to your startup.m file. This reads the last working directory from a MATLAB preference, and then changes to that directory. The IF statement ensures that the preference exists. The TRY/CATCH eliminates errors if the last working directory is not available (for instance, if it was deleted, or was on a network drive that is not accessible).

if ispref('StartupDirectory','LastWorkingDirectory')
    lwd = getpref('StartupDirectory','LastWorkingDirectory');
    try
        cd(lwd)
    catch
        disp('Sorry, but I could not go to your last working directory:')
        disp(lwd)
    end;
end;

Modification to finish.m

Add the following code to your finish.m file. This stores your last working directory in a MATLAB preference.

setpref('StartupDirectory','LastWorkingDirectory',pwd)