user interface - In MATLAB, how can you have a callback execute while a slider is being dragged?

Question

I have created a MATLAB GUI using GUIDE. I have a slider with a callback function. I have noticed that this callback, which is supposed to execute 'on slider movement', in fact only runs once the slider has been moved and the mouse released.

Is there a way to get a script to run as the slider is being dragged, for live updating of a plot? There would I presume need to be something to stop the script being run too many times.

Answer 1

Even though the callback of the slider isn't being called as the mouse is moved, the 'Value' property of the slider uicontrol is being updated. Therefore, you could create a listener using addlistener that will execute a given callback when the 'Value' property changes. Here's an example:

hSlider = uicontrol('Style', 'slider', 'Callback', @(s, e) disp('hello'));
hListener = addlistener(hSlider, 'Value', 'PostSet', @(s, e) disp('hi'));

As you move the slider you should see 'hi' being printed to the screen (the listener callback), and when you release the mouse you will see 'hello' printed (the uicontrol callback).