Selecting middle of file name

Hi, I have many files with varying names. I have a string from 8:12 that is the same for all. However it is not the beginning of the file name. How would i write a statement to address all of them with the same numbers at spot 8:12?

I want to follow it up with an if statment so that MATLab can hunt my file names for the specific numbers in 8:12.

Thank you!

Answer 1

[Voss]

If your file names are stored as a cell array of character vectors:

fn = {'abcdefg89012mnopq' 'abcdefg89013mnopq' 'abcdefg89014mnopq' 'abcdefg89012mnopz'};
temp = cellfun(@(x)x(8:12),fn,'UniformOutput',false)

temp = 1×4 cell array
    {'89012'}    {'89013'}    {'89014'}    {'89012'}

Alternatively, if they are stored as a string array:

fn = ["abcdefg89012mnopq" "abcdefg89013mnopq" "abcdefg89014mnopq" "abcdefg89012mnopz"];
temp = extractBetween(fn,8,12)

temp = 1×4 string array
    "89012"    "89013"    "89014"    "89012"

Then, regardless of whether cell array or string array:

idx = strcmp(temp,'89012') % logical index of which names match '89012' in positions 8:12

idx = 1×4 logical array
   1   0   0   1

fn(idx)                    % the matching file names 

ans = 1×2 string array
    "abcdefg89012mnopq"    "abcdefg89012mnopz"

[Sia Sharma]

Thank you!

[Voss]

You're welcome! If you have any questions, let me know. Otherwise, please "Accept this Answer". Thanks!

Answer 2

[Image Analyst]

Try this:

filePattern = fullfile(pwd, '*.txt'); % Whatever it is.
fileList = dir(filePattern);
for k = 1 : numel(fileList)
    % Get the file name.
    thisName = fileList(k).name;
    
    % Get the characters in indexes 8 to 12 into a substring.
    str = thisName(8:12);
    
    % Search that substring for particular number, or as poster says:  
    % "hunt my file names for the specific numbers"
    % For example see if there is a 9 in the substring.
    if contains(str, '9')
        % String contains the number we're looking for
    end
end

If this is not what you wanted to do then give me a list of some typical filenames, "the specific numbers in 8:12" that you're seeking, and what you expect as the output.