dummyvar — Create dummy-variable columns for grouping variables.

dummyvar(group) converts grouping variables into a numeric design matrix with one dummy column per level.

Syntax

D = dummyvar(group)

Inputs

NameTypeRequiredDefaultDescription
XAnyYesInput labels.

Returns

NameTypeDescription
DNumericArrayDummy-variable design matrix.

Errors

IdentifierWhenMessage
RunMat:dummyvar:InvalidArgumentInputs, dimensions, classes, output types, or options are malformed.encoding: invalid argument
RunMat:dummyvar:InternalInternal conversion or allocation fails.encoding: internal error

How dummyvar works

  • Numeric vector inputs use positive integer levels 1:max(group); NaN rows become NaN across that grouping variable's dummy columns.
  • Numeric row and column vectors are treated as one grouping variable; nonscalar numeric matrices treat each column as a separate grouping variable and concatenate the dummy columns for each variable.
  • Cell arrays can hold multiple grouping variables when supplied as a row cell array; cell-string vectors are encoded by first appearance.
  • Categorical inputs use the full category order, including categories not observed in the input values.
  • String, character-row, logical, and cell-string grouping variables are supported.

Example

Encode numeric group levels

D = dummyvar([1; 2; 1])

Expected output:

D is [1 0; 0 1; 1 0].

Using dummyvar with coding agents

Open a RunMat example with live inputs, then ask the agent to explain how dummyvar changes the result.

Run a small dummyvar example, explain the result, then change one input and compare the output.

FAQ

Does dummyvar support missing labels?

Yes. Numeric NaN, empty text, and <missing> text are treated as missing; missing numeric rows produce NaN dummy values.

Open-source implementation

Unlike proprietary runtimes, every RunMat function is open-source. Read exactly how dummyvar is executed, line by line, in Rust.

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