matlab - Self reference within an object method -

just started crash coursing in matlab oo programing , write set method object set value reciprocate setting in relevant field on other object.

classdef person properties   age;   sex;   priority; % net priority based on adjustment values   adjustment; % personal adjustment value each interest   family; end  methods   function obj = set.sex(obj, value)     if value == 'm' || value == 'f'       obj.sex = value;     else       error('sex must m or f')     end   end    function obj = set.family(obj,value)     if class(value) == 'family'       obj.family = value;     else       error('family must of type family')     end   end end end    classdef family properties   husband;   wife;   children;   elders;   adjustment; % interest adjustment values end  methods   function = set.husband(this,person)     if class(person) == 'person'       this.husband = person;       person.family = this;     else       error('husband must of type person')     end   end    function = set.wife(this,person)     if class(person) == 'person'       this.wife = person;       person.family = this;     else       error('wife must of type person')     end   end end end 

so have is:

p = person f = family f.husband = p p.family = f 

what family , person auto set in each other:

p = person f = family f.husband = p 

and family set.husband function set p's family value f. why code not working? far can tell i'm doing suggested in comments.

edit: after messing around i've confirmed "this" , "person" objects of correct type. issue matlab passes value rather reference. unless knows way around i'll answer myself when can.

normal objects considered value objects. when passed function or method, value passed not reference original object. matlab may use read-only referencing mechanism speed things up, function or method cannot change properties of original object.

to able pass input parameter reference, custom object needs handle object. when defining class, inherit handle , should trick:

classdef person < handle 

and

classdef family < handle