How do octave functions work in org-mode code blocks?

Question

I tried to define and use a simple matlab/octave function within an org-mode code block as shown follows.

#+name: test-octave-function
#+begin_src octave
  function s = my_sum(x, y)
  s = x + y;
  end

  my_sum(1, 2)
#+end_src

The code works if put inside a .m file. However, in a code-block, it generates this error in Org-babel output:

warning: function name 'my_sum' does not agree with function filename ''

error: 'my_sum' undefined near line 1 column 1

I understand functions defined for use in other files need to have the same name as the .m file. But how do filenames work for a code block. Also, I called the function my_sum in the same code block, why is it undefined?

Related to this, how can I define and use multiple functions in a code block?

(This is with the stock Emacs 26 of Ubuntu 20.04)

Answer 1

I get the same result as you do and I'm not sure how it is supposed to work (I suspect bugs but I have not investigated).

However, it does work better in a session:

#+name: test-octave-function
#+begin_src octave :session foo
function retval = mysum(x, y)
  retval = x + y;
end

ans = mysum(5, 12)
#+end_src

#+RESULTS: test-octave-function
: 17