# Undocumented feature

Published articles for Undocumented feature.

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## Documenting the manual: how curiosity and robotic arms led to a career in open source

DevFeed: [Documenting the manual: how curiosity and robotic arms led to a career in open source](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/documenting-the-manual-how-curiosity-and-robotic-arms-led-to-a-career-in-open-source-34308.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<http://opensource.googleblog.com/2026/06/documenting-the-manual-how-curiosity-and-robotic-arms-led-to-a-career-in-open-source.html>)

Author: Google Open Source (noreply@blogger.com)

Published: 2026-06-22T18:30:00Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [Google Open Source Blog](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/google-open-source-blog.md>)

Topics: [Documentation](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/documentation.md>), [Open Source](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/open-source.md>), [Linux Kernel](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/linux-kernel.md>), [Linux](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/linux.md>), [C](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/c.md>), [Undocumented feature](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/undocumented-feature.md>), [Network](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/network.md>), [Scripting](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/scripting.md>)

Tags: [c](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/c.md>), [communities](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/communities.md>), [documentation](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/documentation.md>), [linux](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/linux.md>), [linux-kernel](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/linux-kernel.md>), [linux-man-pages](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/linux-man-pages.md>), [network](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/network.md>), [open-source](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/open-source.md>), [scripting](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/scripting.md>), [sponsorship](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/sponsorship.md>), [undocumented-feature](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/undocumented-feature.md>), [work](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/work.md>)

### AI overview

This article profiles Alejandro "Alex" Colomar's path from working with robotic arms to maintaining Linux Kernel documentation. It explains how documenting the previously undocumented SO_TIMESTAMPNS feature led to his first man-pages patch and eventually to a career focused on clarity in open source communities. Google sponsors his work on the Linux Kernel man-pages project.

### Source excerpt

by Daryl Ducharme, Google Open Source When you think of "innovation" in open source, your mind probably jumps to the latest AI model or a revolutionary new framework. You might not immediately think of manual pages. Even Alejandro "Alex" Colomar, who spends his days maintaining Linux Kernel documentation, jokingly admits that some might find the work "boring" because it focuses on fixing existing issues and documenting new features rather than flashy inventions. But as any developer knows, the most powerful code is only as good as the documentation behind it. At Google, we believe that investing in the success of projects we don't own is a core part of being a good open source citizen. That is why we are proud to sponsor Alejandro's work on the Linux Kernel man-pages project--supporting the critical infrastructure that many of our own systems rely on every day. Documentation is the gift you give to your future self and your whole community. The precision of a robot Alejandro's journey into the world of essential documentation started at university. He was working with robotic arms that used a proprietary scripting language. Wanting more control, he decided to write a C library to communicate with the robots over the network by sniffing packets with Wireshark. It worked, but it was slow--he had to wait seconds between commands to ensure the robot had finished moving. To make the movements smooth, he needed to understand the messages the robot was sending back in real-time. This required high-precision timing. He found SO_TIMESTAMP, which provided microsecond precision, but he noticed a macro called SO_TIMESTAMPNS in the header files that promised nanosecond resolution. The problem? It wasn't documented in the manual page. The first patch After figuring out how to use the undocumented feature by looking at the kernel source code, Alejandro decided to ensure the next person wouldn't have to struggle. He cloned the man-pages repository, wrote a new paragraph based on exis

## Interesting Matlab puzzle - analysis

DevFeed: [Interesting Matlab puzzle - analysis](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/interesting-matlab-puzzle-analysis-22321.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://undocumentedmatlab.com/articles/interesting-matlab-puzzle-analysis>)

Author: Yair Altman

Published: 2019-04-09T11:52:00Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [Undocumented Matlab](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/undocumented-matlab.md>)

Topics: [MATLAB](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/matlab.md>), [Parsing](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/parsing.md>), [Programming](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/programming.md>)

Tags: [analysis](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/analysis.md>), [code](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/code.md>), [console](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/console.md>), [if-statement](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/if-statement.md>), [medium-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/medium-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions.md>), [medium-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions-undocumented-feature](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/medium-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions-undocumented-feature.md>), [parsing](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/parsing.md>), [pure-matlab](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/pure-matlab.md>), [syntax](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/syntax.md>), [undocumented-feature](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/undocumented-feature.md>)

### AI overview

An analysis of a Matlab puzzle explains how a same-line expression after an if condition is parsed as a separate expression. The false branch is skipped, the else branch displays "Daba," and the potentially erroneous or function call is never evaluated.

### Source excerpt

Solution and analysis of a simple Matlab puzzle that leads to interesting insight on Matlab's parser. The post Interesting Matlab puzzle - analysis appeared first on Undocumented Matlab. Related posts: Interesting Matlab puzzle A simple Matlab puzzle that leads to interesting insight on Matlab's parser. ... An interesting uitree utility ExploreStruct is a utility that shows how custom uitrees can be integrated in Matlab GUI... A couple of internal Matlab bugs and workarounds A couple of undocumented Matlab bugs have simple workarounds. ... Matlab compiler bug and workaround Both the Matlab compiler and the publish function have errors when parsing block-comments in Matlab m-code. ...

## Interesting Matlab puzzle

DevFeed: [Interesting Matlab puzzle](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/interesting-matlab-puzzle-22320.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://undocumentedmatlab.com/articles/interesting-matlab-puzzle>)

Author: Yair Altman

Published: 2019-03-31T10:15:06Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [Undocumented Matlab](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/undocumented-matlab.md>)

Topics: [MATLAB](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/matlab.md>), [Parser](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/parser.md>), [Parsing](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/parsing.md>), [Programming](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/programming.md>)

Tags: [analysis](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/analysis.md>), [medium-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/medium-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions.md>), [medium-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions-undocumented-feature](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/medium-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions-undocumented-feature.md>), [parsing](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/parsing.md>), [programming](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/programming.md>), [pure-matlab](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/pure-matlab.md>), [puzzle](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/puzzle.md>), [undocumented-feature](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/undocumented-feature.md>)

### AI overview

This article presents a Matlab code puzzle about conditional operators, evaluation behavior, operand order, and parentheses. It invites readers to predict and then run the code, highlighting how the results provide insight into Matlab's parser.

### Source excerpt

A simple Matlab puzzle that leads to interesting insight on Matlab's parser. The post Interesting Matlab puzzle appeared first on Undocumented Matlab. Related posts: Interesting Matlab puzzle - analysis Solution and analysis of a simple Matlab puzzle that leads to interesting insight on Matlab's parser. ... An interesting uitree utility ExploreStruct is a utility that shows how custom uitrees can be integrated in Matlab GUI... A couple of internal Matlab bugs and workarounds A couple of undocumented Matlab bugs have simple workarounds. ... Matlab DDE support Windows DDE is an unsupported and undocumented feature of Matlab, that can be used to improve the work-flow in the Windows environment...

## Undocumented plot marker types

DevFeed: [Undocumented plot marker types](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/undocumented-plot-marker-types-22328.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://undocumentedmatlab.com/articles/undocumented-plot-marker-types>)

Author: Yair Altman

Published: 2019-03-13T11:05:14Z

Content type: tutorial

Language: en

Sources: [Undocumented Matlab](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/undocumented-matlab.md>)

Topics: [MATLAB](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/matlab.md>), [Programming](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/programming.md>), [GUI](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/gui.md>)

Tags: [graphics](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/graphics.md>), [handle-graphics](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/handle-graphics.md>), [handle-graphics-hidden-property-low-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions-stock-matlab-function-undocu](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/handle-graphics-hidden-property-low-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions-stock-matlab-function-undocu.md>), [hg2](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/hg2.md>), [hidden-property](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/hidden-property.md>), [internal-component](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/internal-component.md>), [low-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/low-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions.md>), [plotting](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/plotting.md>), [properties](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/properties.md>), [pure-matlab](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/pure-matlab.md>), [stock-matlab-function](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/stock-matlab-function.md>), [undocumented-feature](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/undocumented-feature.md>), [visualization](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/visualization.md>)

### AI overview

This article explains how MATLAB's hidden MarkerHandle property exposes undocumented plot marker styles, including the hbar and vbar styles. It also describes related marker customization capabilities such as transparency and color gradients.

### Source excerpt

Undocumented plot marker styles can easily be accesses using a hidden plot-line property. The post Undocumented plot marker types appeared first on Undocumented Matlab. Related posts: Types of undocumented Matlab aspects This article lists the different types of undocumented/unsupported/hidden aspects in Matlab... Undocumented scatter plot behavior The scatter plot function has an undocumented behavior when plotting more than 100 points: it returns a single unified patch object handle, rather than a patch handle for each specific point as it returns with 100 or less points.... Plot markers transparency and color gradient Matlab plot-line markers can be customized to have transparency and color gradients. ... Undocumented scatter plot jitter Matlab's scatter plot can automatically jitter data to enable better visualization of distribution density. ...

## Matlab toolstrip - part 9 (popup figures)

DevFeed: [Matlab toolstrip - part 9 (popup figures)](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/matlab-toolstrip-part-9-popup-figures-22326.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://undocumentedmatlab.com/articles/matlab-toolstrip-part-9-popup-figures>)

Author: Yair Altman

Published: 2019-02-10T17:00:10Z

Content type: tutorial

Language: en

Sources: [Undocumented Matlab](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/undocumented-matlab.md>)

Topics: [MATLAB](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/matlab.md>), [GUI](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/gui.md>), [Forms](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/forms.md>)

Tags: [figure](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/figure.md>), [figure-window](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/figure-window.md>), [figure-window-gui-high-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions-java-undocumented-feature](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/figure-window-gui-high-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions-java-undocumented-feature.md>), [forms](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/forms.md>), [gui](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/gui.md>), [high-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/high-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions.md>), [java](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/java.md>), [legacy](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/legacy.md>), [screenshot](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/screenshot.md>), [snippet](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/snippet.md>), [toolstrip](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/toolstrip.md>), [undocumented-feature](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/undocumented-feature.md>)

### AI overview

A tutorial on attaching customizable popup figures to MATLAB GUI toolstrip controls. It explains the required figure type, callback setup, positioning, and limitations of legacy figures versus web-based uifigures.

### Source excerpt

Custom popup figures can be attached to Matlab GUI toolstrip controls. The post Matlab toolstrip - part 9 (popup figures) appeared first on Undocumented Matlab. Related posts: Matlab toolstrip - part 4 (control customization) Matlab toolstrip components (controls) can be customized in various ways, including user-defined callbacks. ... Matlab toolstrip - part 2 (ToolGroup App) Matlab users can create custom Apps with toolstrips and docked figures. ... Matlab toolstrip - part 8 (galleries) Matlab toolstrips can contain customizable gallery panels of items. ... Matlab toolstrip - part 5 (icons) Icons can be specified in various ways for toolstrip controls and the app window itself. ...

## Matlab toolstrip - part 8 (galleries)

DevFeed: [Matlab toolstrip - part 8 (galleries)](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/matlab-toolstrip-part-8-galleries-22325.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://undocumentedmatlab.com/articles/matlab-toolstrip-part-8-galleries>)

Author: Yair Altman

Published: 2019-02-03T17:00:55Z

Content type: tutorial

Language: en

Sources: [Undocumented Matlab](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/undocumented-matlab.md>)

Topics: [MATLAB](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/matlab.md>), [GUI](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/gui.md>)

Tags: [code](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/code.md>), [components](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/components.md>), [figure](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/figure.md>), [figure-window](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/figure-window.md>), [figure-window-gui-high-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions-undocumented-feature](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/figure-window-gui-high-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions-undocumented-feature.md>), [gallery](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/gallery.md>), [gui](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/gui.md>), [high-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/high-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions.md>), [properties](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/properties.md>), [toolstrip](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/toolstrip.md>), [undocumented-feature](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/undocumented-feature.md>)

### AI overview

This tutorial explains how to add customizable gallery panels to MATLAB toolstrips. It covers gallery structure, categories, push-button and toggle-button items, selection behavior, and appearance-related properties.

### Source excerpt

Matlab toolstrips can contain customizable gallery panels of items. The post Matlab toolstrip - part 8 (galleries) appeared first on Undocumented Matlab. Related posts: Matlab toolstrip - part 7 (selection controls) Matlab toolstrips can contain a wide variety of selection controls: popups, combo-boxes, and galleries. ... Matlab toolstrip - part 6 (complex controls) Multiple types of customizable controls can be added to Matlab toolstrips... Matlab toolstrip - part 9 (popup figures) Custom popup figures can be attached to Matlab GUI toolstrip controls. ... Matlab toolstrip - part 5 (icons) Icons can be specified in various ways for toolstrip controls and the app window itself. ...

## Matlab toolstrip - part 7 (selection controls)

DevFeed: [Matlab toolstrip - part 7 (selection controls)](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/matlab-toolstrip-part-7-selection-controls-22324.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://undocumentedmatlab.com/articles/matlab-toolstrip-part-7-selection-controls>)

Author: Yair Altman

Published: 2019-01-27T17:00:34Z

Content type: tutorial

Language: en

Sources: [Undocumented Matlab](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/undocumented-matlab.md>)

Topics: [MATLAB](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/matlab.md>), [GUI](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/gui.md>)

Tags: [code](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/code.md>), [components](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/components.md>), [customization](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/customization.md>), [figure](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/figure.md>), [figure-window](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/figure-window.md>), [figure-window-gui-high-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions-undocumented-feature](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/figure-window-gui-high-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions-undocumented-feature.md>), [gui](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/gui.md>), [high-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/high-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions.md>), [toolstrip](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/toolstrip.md>), [undocumented-feature](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/undocumented-feature.md>)

### AI overview

This tutorial explains how to add selection controls to MATLAB toolstrips, including dropdowns and list boxes. It discusses selectable values, editable dropdown entries, and differences between list-box and dropdown properties.

### Source excerpt

Matlab toolstrips can contain a wide variety of selection controls: popups, combo-boxes, and galleries. The post Matlab toolstrip - part 7 (selection controls) appeared first on Undocumented Matlab. Related posts: Matlab toolstrip - part 6 (complex controls) Multiple types of customizable controls can be added to Matlab toolstrips... Matlab toolstrip - part 8 (galleries) Matlab toolstrips can contain customizable gallery panels of items. ... Matlab toolstrip - part 9 (popup figures) Custom popup figures can be attached to Matlab GUI toolstrip controls. ... Matlab toolstrip - part 4 (control customization) Matlab toolstrip components (controls) can be customized in various ways, including user-defined callbacks. ...

## Matlab toolstrip - part 6 (complex controls)

DevFeed: [Matlab toolstrip - part 6 (complex controls)](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/matlab-toolstrip-part-6-complex-controls-22323.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://undocumentedmatlab.com/articles/matlab-toolstrip-part-6-complex-controls>)

Author: Yair Altman

Published: 2019-01-21T16:00:38Z

Content type: tutorial

Language: en

Sources: [Undocumented Matlab](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/undocumented-matlab.md>)

Topics: [MATLAB](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/matlab.md>), [Code](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/code.md>)

Tags: [class](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/class.md>), [classes](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/classes.md>), [code](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/code.md>), [components](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/components.md>), [customization](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/customization.md>), [figure](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/figure.md>), [figure-window](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/figure-window.md>), [figure-window-gui-high-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions-ui-controls-undocumented-feature](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/figure-window-gui-high-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions-ui-controls-undocumented-feature.md>), [function](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/function.md>), [gui](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/gui.md>), [high-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/high-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions.md>), [identifier](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/identifier.md>), [implementation](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/implementation.md>), [list](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/list.md>), [mnemonic](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/mnemonic.md>), [properties](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/properties.md>), [property](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/property.md>), [toolbox](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/toolbox.md>), [toolstrip](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/toolstrip.md>), [types](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/types.md>), [ui-controls](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ui-controls.md>), [undocumented-feature](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/undocumented-feature.md>)

### AI overview

This tutorial explains how to add complex controls such as button groups, edit boxes, spinners, and sliders to custom MATLAB toolstrips. It recommends using built-in toolstrip demos and their available M-file source code as implementation references, and introduces shared control properties.

### Source excerpt

Multiple types of customizable controls can be added to Matlab toolstrips The post Matlab toolstrip - part 6 (complex controls) appeared first on Undocumented Matlab. Related posts: Matlab toolstrip - part 7 (selection controls) Matlab toolstrips can contain a wide variety of selection controls: popups, combo-boxes, and galleries. ... Matlab toolstrip - part 4 (control customization) Matlab toolstrip components (controls) can be customized in various ways, including user-defined callbacks. ... Matlab toolstrip - part 8 (galleries) Matlab toolstrips can contain customizable gallery panels of items. ... Matlab toolstrip - part 3 (basic customization) Matlab toolstrips can be created and customized in a variety of ways. ...

## Matlab toolstrip - part 5 (icons)

DevFeed: [Matlab toolstrip - part 5 (icons)](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/matlab-toolstrip-part-5-icons-22322.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://undocumentedmatlab.com/articles/matlab-toolstrip-part-5-icons>)

Author: Yair Altman

Published: 2019-01-06T17:00:37Z

Content type: tutorial

Language: en

Sources: [Undocumented Matlab](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/undocumented-matlab.md>)

Topics: [MATLAB](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/matlab.md>), [GUI](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/gui.md>), [App](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/app.md>)

Tags: [app](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/app.md>), [customization](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/customization.md>), [gui](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/gui.md>), [gui-high-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions-java-undocumented-feature](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/gui-high-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions-java-undocumented-feature.md>), [high-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/high-risk-of-breaking-in-future-versions.md>), [icons](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/icons.md>), [java](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/java.md>), [toolstrip](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/toolstrip.md>), [undocumented-feature](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/undocumented-feature.md>)

### AI overview

This tutorial explains how to set icons for MATLAB toolstrip controls and app windows. It covers standard icons, local PNG or JPG files, images packaged in JAR files, and Java objects.

### Source excerpt

Icons can be specified in various ways for toolstrip controls and the app window itself. The post Matlab toolstrip - part 5 (icons) appeared first on Undocumented Matlab. Related posts: Matlab toolstrip - part 3 (basic customization) Matlab toolstrips can be created and customized in a variety of ways. ... Matlab toolstrip - part 9 (popup figures) Custom popup figures can be attached to Matlab GUI toolstrip controls. ... Matlab toolstrip - part 2 (ToolGroup App) Matlab users can create custom Apps with toolstrips and docked figures. ... Matlab toolstrip - part 8 (galleries) Matlab toolstrips can contain customizable gallery panels of items. ...