Structure Array Conversions

convert between the various ways arrays can be stored in structures (Structure array)
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Updated 28 Jun 2020

# Matlab Structure (nd)Array Conversions
**[Bryce M. Henson](https://github.com/brycehenson)**
convert between the various ways n-dimensional arrays (sometimes called tensors) can be stored in (or interact with) structures
**Status:** This Code is **ready** for use in other projects. Unit Testing is implemented. Round-Robin testing is implemented and **passing**.

## Motivation
matlab has 3 distinct way you can store n-dimensional arrays (aka tensors, multidimensional arrays, or nd-array) of cells or numerical types in structures (Structure array).
- ***(A)*** structure with an nd-array in each field (aka. struct of tensors) (fig.1 right)
- I think this is the easiest to work with
- it does not enforce dimension matching things can go wrong if you not careful about building/ modifying each field
- access and creation is the simplest
- ***(B)*** Cell nd-array of structures (fig.1 top left)
- this is the most flexible as the cell in each nd-array can have completely different fields
- it is very difficult to query as you must handle the possibly different fields present
- ***(C)*** structure nd-array(tensor) (fig.1 bottom left)
- this can be hard to build as you cant set multiple values at the same time.
- the result of queries do not preserve dimensionality eg ```test_struct_array(1,1:2,1:3).data1```
- this format is very confusing to work with and leads to some pretty slow approaches (both in dev time and computer time).
- **For your own sanity i discourage this format**


Each has their own advantages, frustration and quirks. Conventions (including in matlab) vary and we would like a way to convert between these formats.

## Code
This package provides conversions ***(A)*** <-> ***(B)*** and ***(A)*** <-> ***(C)***
- (***(B)*** -> ***(A)***) cell_array_of_struct_to_struct_of_array
- (***(A)*** -> ***(B)***) struct_of_array_to_cell_array_of_struct

- (***(C)*** -> ***(A)***) struct_array_to_struct_of_array
- (***(A)*** -> ***(C)***) struct_of_array_to_struct_array

It also provides match_tensor_sizes sizes which is used in struct_of_tensor_to_cell_tensor_of_struct to repeat a smaller tensor along its singleton dimensions to match a larger tensor.

All 6 conversions can handle arbitrary dimensionality arrays and structures of any depth.

Cite As

Bryce Henson (2024). Structure Array Conversions (https://github.com/brycehenson/matlab_struct_array_conversions/releases/tag/v1.0), GitHub. Retrieved .

MATLAB Release Compatibility
Created with R2020a
Compatible with any release
Platform Compatibility
Windows macOS Linux
Acknowledgements

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Version Published Release Notes
1.0

To view or report issues in this GitHub add-on, visit the GitHub Repository.
To view or report issues in this GitHub add-on, visit the GitHub Repository.