gcf — Return the current figure handle in MATLAB and RunMat.

gcf returns the handle of the figure currently selected for plotting operations. Handle creation/selection behavior follows MATLAB semantics with RunMat figure management.

Syntax

fig = gcf()

Returns

How gcf works

• gcf() returns a scalar numeric figure handle.
• The value changes after commands like figure(n) or figure('next') select a different figure.
• Subsequent plotting commands target the same current figure until another figure is selected.

Does RunMat run gcf on the GPU?

gcf performs no provider dispatch; it simply reads the current figure handle from plotting state.

GPU memory and residency

gcf returns a host-side numeric handle and does not interact with GPU residency.

Examples

Read the current figure handle

figure(2);
f = gcf()

Expected output:

f = 2

Observe the handle change after selecting a different figure

figure(1);
f1 = gcf();
figure(4);
f2 = gcf();

Expected output:

f1 = 1
f2 = 4

Using gcf with coding agents

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

FAQ

Related Plotting functions

Open-source implementation

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

• View the source for gcf in Rust on GitHub
• Learn how the RunMat runtime works
• Found a bug? Open an issue with a minimal reproduction.

About RunMat

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