String comparison in MATLAB

Introduction

String comparison helps you check if two pieces of text are the same or different. This is useful when you want to make decisions based on words or sentences.

Checking if a user entered the correct password.

Comparing two names to see if they match.

Finding if a word exists in a list of words.

Sorting a list of words alphabetically.

Filtering data based on text labels.

Syntax

MATLAB

tf = strcmp(str1, str2)
tf = strcmpi(str1, str2)

strcmp compares two strings and returns logical true (1) if they are exactly the same, logical false (0) otherwise.

strcmpi does the same but ignores uppercase or lowercase differences.

Examples

Returns true because both strings are exactly the same.

MATLAB

result = strcmp('hello', 'hello')

Returns false because the case is different.

MATLAB

result = strcmp('Hello', 'hello')

Returns true because strcmpi ignores case differences.

MATLAB

result = strcmpi('Hello', 'hello')

Sample Program

This program compares two strings first with case sensitivity, then ignoring case, and prints the result.

MATLAB

str1 = 'Matlab';
str2 = 'matlab';

if strcmp(str1, str2)
    disp('Strings are exactly the same.')
elseif strcmpi(str1, str2)
    disp('Strings are the same ignoring case.')
else
    disp('Strings are different.')
end

Important Notes

Use strcmp for exact matches including case.

Use strcmpi when you want to ignore uppercase or lowercase differences.

Both functions return logical true (1) or false (0), which you can use in if statements.

Summary

String comparison checks if two texts are the same or different.

Use strcmp for case-sensitive comparison.

Use strcmpi for case-insensitive comparison.