[Solved] You have a text file records.txt with mixed data: a name (string), age (integer), and height (float) on each line, separated by commas, like: John,25,5.9 Anna,30,5.5 Mike,22,6.... | MATLAB

MATLAB - File I/O

You have a text file records.txt with mixed data: a name (string), age (integer), and height (float) on each line, separated by commas, like:

John,25,5.9
Anna,30,5.5
Mike,22,6.1

Which MATLAB approach correctly reads this file into a table with proper data types?

AUse <code>readtable('records.txt', 'Delimiter', ',', 'Format', '%s%d%f')</code>

BUse <code>readtable('records.txt')</code> without specifying delimiter

CUse <code>textscan(fopen('records.txt', 'r'), '%s %d %f', 'Delimiter', ',')</code> and fclose after

DUse <code>textscan(fopen('records.txt'), '%s %d %f')</code> without closing file

Step-by-Step Solution

Solution:

Step 1: Identify correct reading method for mixed CSV data into table
readtable automatically detects common delimiters like commas and loads data into a table with inferred types (string for names, double for numbers).
Step 2: Compare options
Use readtable('records.txt') without specifying delimiter: readtable('records.txt') auto-detects comma delimiter. Use readtable('records.txt', 'Delimiter', ',', 'Format', '%s%d%f') uses invalid 'Format' parameter (readtable lacks it). Use textscan(fopen('records.txt', 'r'), '%s %d %f', 'Delimiter', ',') and fclose after: textscan syntax invalid ('Delimiter' not for fid), returns cell array not table. Use textscan(fopen('records.txt'), '%s %d %f') without closing file: textscan fails to parse commas (default whitespace), no fclose.
Final Answer:
Use readtable('records.txt') without specifying delimiter -> Option B
Quick Check:
readtable = auto delimiter + table types [OK]

Quick Trick: readtable auto-detects CSV delimiters into tables [OK]

Common Mistakes:

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You have a text file records.txt with mixed data: a name (string), age (integer), and height (float) on each line, separated by commas, like: