Standalone application creation in MATLAB

Introduction

Creating a standalone application lets you share your MATLAB program as a simple app that runs without needing MATLAB installed.

You want to share your MATLAB program with friends who don't have MATLAB.

You need to make a tool that runs on other computers without MATLAB.

You want to protect your code by sharing only the compiled app.

You want an easy way to run your MATLAB program without opening MATLAB.

Syntax

MATLAB

mcc -m filename.m

mcc is the MATLAB Compiler command to create standalone apps.

The -m option tells MATLAB to make a standalone executable from your script or function.

Examples

Compile myProgram.m into a standalone executable.

MATLAB

mcc -m myProgram.m

Compile myApp.m and name the output executable MyAppExecutable.

MATLAB

mcc -m myApp.m -o MyAppExecutable

Sample Program

This simple program prints a message. After compiling with mcc -m hello.m, you get an executable that runs without MATLAB.

MATLAB

% Save this as hello.m
function hello
    disp('Hello from standalone app!')
end

% To compile, run in MATLAB command window:
mcc -m hello.m

Important Notes

You need MATLAB Compiler installed to create standalone apps.

The user running the app does not need MATLAB, but may need the MATLAB Runtime installed.

Test your app on the target computer to make sure it runs correctly.

Summary

Standalone apps let you share MATLAB programs without requiring MATLAB.

Use mcc -m filename.m to compile your program.

Users need MATLAB Runtime to run the compiled app.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of creating a standalone application in MATLAB?

easy

A. To run MATLAB programs without requiring MATLAB installed

B. To write scripts faster in MATLAB editor

C. To debug MATLAB code more easily

D. To convert MATLAB code into Python code

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand standalone application purpose

   Standalone apps allow running MATLAB programs on computers without MATLAB installed.

2. Step 2: Compare options

   Only To run MATLAB programs without requiring MATLAB installed correctly describes this purpose; others describe unrelated tasks.

3. Final Answer:

   To run MATLAB programs without requiring MATLAB installed -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Standalone apps = run without MATLAB [OK]

Hint: Standalone apps run without MATLAB installed [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing standalone apps with script editing
• Thinking standalone apps convert code to other languages
• Assuming standalone apps help debugging

2. Which MATLAB command correctly compiles a script named myApp.m into a standalone application?

easy

A. buildApp myApp.m

B. compile myApp.m

C. run myApp.m -standalone

D. mcc -m myApp.m

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall MATLAB compile command

   The correct command to compile a standalone app is mcc -m filename.m.

2. Step 2: Match command to options

   Only mcc -m myApp.m matches this syntax exactly for myApp.m.

3. Final Answer:

   mcc -m myApp.m -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Compile command = mcc -m [OK]

Hint: Use 'mcc -m filename.m' to compile [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using 'compile' instead of 'mcc'
• Adding extra flags like '-standalone' incorrectly
• Using non-existent commands like 'buildApp'

3. What will happen if you try to run a MATLAB standalone app on a computer without MATLAB Runtime installed?

medium

A. The app will run normally without any issues

B. The app will automatically install MATLAB Runtime

C. The app will show an error about missing MATLAB Runtime

D. The app will convert itself to a script

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand MATLAB Runtime role

   MATLAB Runtime is required to run standalone apps on machines without MATLAB.

2. Step 2: Predict behavior without Runtime

   Without MATLAB Runtime, the app cannot run and shows an error about missing Runtime.

3. Final Answer:

   The app will show an error about missing MATLAB Runtime -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   No Runtime = error shown [OK]

Hint: MATLAB Runtime must be installed to run apps [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming app runs without Runtime
• Thinking app auto-installs Runtime
• Believing app converts to script automatically

4. You tried to compile app.m using mcc -m app.m but got an error saying 'Undefined function or variable'. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The script app.m calls functions not on the MATLAB path

B. You forgot to save app.m before compiling

C. The mcc command is misspelled

D. MATLAB Runtime is not installed

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze error message

   'Undefined function or variable' means MATLAB cannot find a function or variable used in app.m.

2. Step 2: Identify common causes

   This usually happens if called functions are not on MATLAB path or missing.

3. Final Answer:

   The script app.m calls functions not on the MATLAB path -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Undefined function = missing path or file [OK]

Hint: Check all called functions are on MATLAB path [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming Runtime affects compilation
• Thinking misspelling 'mcc' causes this error
• Forgetting to save script usually causes different errors

5. You want to share a MATLAB app with users who do not have MATLAB. Which two steps must you do to ensure they can run it?

Choose the correct pair.

hard

A. Send the .m files and ask users to install MATLAB

B. Compile the app with mcc -m and instruct users to install MATLAB Runtime

C. Compile the app with mcc -m and users must have full MATLAB installed

D. Send the .m files and users run them in Octave

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify how to share MATLAB apps without MATLAB

   Standalone apps must be compiled with mcc -m to run without MATLAB.

2. Step 2: Understand user requirements

   Users need MATLAB Runtime installed to run compiled apps, not full MATLAB.

3. Final Answer:

   Compile the app with mcc -m and instruct users to install MATLAB Runtime -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Compile + Runtime = run without MATLAB [OK]

Hint: Compile app and require MATLAB Runtime for users [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking users need full MATLAB installed
• Sending only .m files without compiling
• Assuming Octave can run MATLAB standalone apps