Sort sequencial data from an array into separate arrays

Lets say I have an array

A = {3 4 5 6 8 9 12 15 16 17}

I want to get sequences such as

A1 = {3 4 5 6}

A2 = {8 9}

A3 = {12}

A4 = {15 16 17}

How would I approach such a problem. This issue is part of a larger problem I am solving in selecting data ranges from excel sheets. Any help would be nice. Thanks

Answer 1

[Cedric]

You can proceed as follows to create blocks of consecutive numbers:

 A_num   = [A{:}] ;
 bStart  = [0, find(diff(A_num)>1), numel(A)] + 1 ;
 bSize   = diff( bStart ) ;
 A_block = mat2cell( A_num, 1, bSize ) ;

With that, you get

 >> bStart
 bStart =
     1     5     7     8    11

 >> bSize
 bSize =
     4     2     1     3

 >> A_block
 A_block = 
    [1x4 double]    [1x2 double]    [12]    [1x3 double]

 >> A_block{1}
 ans =
     3     4     5     6

[Cedric]

I edited the answer after you accepted it, please see the update.

[Leyon]

Would not have thought of this solution for line 2. The logic is great for the rest of the program. Thanks.

[Cedric]

You're welcome.