foo_cs = foo{:} - feature or bug ? (octave-3.4.2); also, sizeof(foo{:})

[Sergei Steshenko]

Hello,

here is a screen session:

"


octave:1> foo{1,1} = "a"
foo =
{
  [1,1] = a
}
octave:2> foo{1,2} = "b"
foo =
{
  [1,1] = a
  [1,2] = b
}
octave:3> foo{2,1} = [1 2]
foo =
{
  [1,1] = a
  [2,1] =

     1   2

  [1,2] = b
  [2,2] = [](0x0)
}
octave:4> foo_cs = foo{:}
foo_cs = a
octave:5> sizeof(foo{:})
error: Invalid call to sizeof.  Correct usage is:

 -- Built-in Function:  sizeof (VAL)


Additional help for built-in functions and operators is
available in the on-line version of the manual.  Use the command
`doc <topic>' to search the manual index.

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at http://www.octave.org and via the address@hidden
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octave:5> sizeof(foo_cs)
ans =  1
octave:6> sizeof(1 + 2)
ans =  8
octave:7> sizeof(foo)
ans =  18
octave:8> 
".

Questions:

1) why is it so that 'foo_cs' shows just one element (and its 'sizeof' is
indeer 1 - see above) :

"
octave:4> foo_cs = foo{:}
foo_cs = a
"
?

2) why "sizeof(foo{:})" refuses to work while "sizeof(1 + 2)" and
"sizeof(foo)" work ? I think "foo{:}" occupies some bytes in memory, so
'sizeof' taking it as its argument should make sense.

Thanks,
  Sergei.