`set` — Update figure, axes, and plot-object properties through RunMat’s graphics handles and MATLAB-style `set` workflows.

set applies property/value pairs to plotting handles. In RunMat, it is the public write path for the shared graphics object model: you can update text handles, legend handles, axes handles, and plot-child handles such as lines, stems, error bars, histograms, images, contour objects, and more through a MATLAB-style set(h, 'Property', value) interface.

How `set` works in RunMat

set requires a plotting handle followed by one or more property/value pairs.
Different handle families accept different properties, and unsupported properties raise plotting errors rather than silently succeeding.
Axes-local state such as limits, log modes, and legend visibility can be updated through axes handles.
Plot-child properties such as line width, display names, marker styling, and selected object semantics are updated in place through the returned plot handles.
Legend and text objects participate in the same property path, so figure annotation workflows stay consistent with the rest of the handle model.

Examples

Style a line after plotting

h = plot(0:0.1:1, (0:0.1:1).^2);
set(h, 'Color', 'r', 'LineWidth', 2, 'DisplayName', 'quadratic');

Update axes-local state through an axes handle

ax = subplot(1, 2, 2);
plot(1:5, [2 3 5 4 1]);
set(ax, 'XScale', 'log', 'Grid', false);

Change a legend after it has been created

plot(1:5, 1:5);
lg = legend('series');
set(lg, 'Location', 'southwest', 'Orientation', 'horizontal');

FAQ

Can I set multiple properties in a single call?

Yes. Pass alternating property/value pairs: set(h, 'Color', 'r', 'LineWidth', 2, 'DisplayName', 'trend'). All updates apply atomically to the same handle.

What are the most commonly used properties to set on a line handle?

'Color', 'LineWidth', 'LineStyle', 'Marker', and 'DisplayName' cover most styling needs. 'DisplayName' is especially useful — it feeds directly into legend when you call it without explicit labels.

h = plot(x, y);
set(h, 'Color', [0.2 0.6 0.8], 'LineWidth', 1.5, 'DisplayName', 'measured');

What happens if I pass a property name that the handle doesn't support?

RunMat raises a plotting error immediately. It doesn't silently ignore unknown properties, so typos in property names surface right away rather than producing subtle bugs.

These functions work well alongside set. Each page has runnable examples you can try in the browser.

get, legend, subplot, plot

More plotting resources

Open-source implementation

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

View set.rs on GitHub
Learn how the runtime works
Found a bug? Open an issue with a minimal reproduction.

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set — Update figure, axes, and plot-object properties through RunMat’s graphics handles and MATLAB-style set workflows.

How set works in RunMat