pause

Stop MATLAB execution temporarily

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Syntax

pause
pause(n)
pause(state)
oldState = pause(state)

Description

pause temporarily stops MATLAB® execution and waits for the user to press any key. The pause function also temporarily stops the execution of Simulink® models, but does not pause their repainting.

Note

If you previously disabled the pause setting, reenable it using pause('on') for this call to take effect.

example

pause(n) pauses execution for n seconds before continuing. Pausing must be enabled for this call to take effect.

example

pause(state) enables, disables, or displays the current pause setting.

example

oldState = pause(state) returns the current pause setting and sets the pause state as indicated by state. For example, if pausing is enabled, oldState = pause('off') returns 'on' in oldState and disables pausing.

Examples

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Open Live Script

Pause execution for 5 seconds. MATLAB blocks, or hides, the command prompt (>>) while it pauses execution.

n = 5;
pause(n)
Open Live Script

Disable the pause setting and query the current state.

pause('off')
pause('query')
ans = 
'off'

Pause execution for 100 seconds. Since the pause setting is off, MATLAB ignores the request to pause execution, and immediately returns the command prompt.

pause(100)

Enable the pause setting.

pause('on')
Open Live Script

Store the current pause setting and then disable the ability to pause execution.

oldState = pause('off')
oldState = 
'on'

Query the current pause setting.

pause('query')
ans = 
'off'

Restore the initial pause state.

pause(oldState)
pause('query')
ans = 
'on'

Alternatively, you can store the queried value of the pause state and then disable the ability to pause execution.

oldState = pause('query');
pause('off')

Restore the initial pause state.

pause(oldState)

Input Arguments

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Number of seconds to pause execution specified as a nonnegative, real number.

Typing pause(inf) puts you into an infinite loop. To return to the MATLAB prompt, type Ctrl+C.

Example: pause(3) pauses for 3 seconds.

Example: pause(5/1000) pauses for 5 milliseconds.

Data Types: single | double | int8 | int16 | int32 | int64 | uint8 | uint16 | uint32 | uint64

Pause control indicator specified as 'on', 'off', or 'query'. Use 'on' or 'off' to control whether the pause function is able to pause MATLAB execution. Use 'query' to query the current state of the pause setting.

To run interactive code unattended, disable the pause setting.

Tips

  • The accuracy of the pause function is subject to the scheduling resolution of your operating system, and to other concurrent system activity. The accuracy is not guaranteed, and finer resolution results in higher relative error.

  • While MATLAB is paused, the following continue to execute:

    • Repainting of figure windows, Simulink block diagrams, and Java® windows

    • Callbacks from figure windows

    • Event handling from Java windows

Extended Capabilities

See Also

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Introduced before R2006a

MATLAB Documentation

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