Standalone application creation in MATLAB - Deep Dive

Overview - Standalone application creation

What is it?

Standalone application creation in MATLAB means turning your MATLAB code into a separate program that can run on computers without MATLAB installed. This program works independently, like any other software you use daily. It packages your code, data, and necessary tools together so others can use your work easily. This helps share your work without needing everyone to have MATLAB.

Why it matters

Without standalone applications, sharing MATLAB work means everyone must have MATLAB installed, which can be expensive and complicated. Standalone apps let you share your solutions with people who don’t know MATLAB or don’t have it. This makes your work more accessible and useful in real life, like sharing a calculator app instead of just the math behind it.

Where it fits

Before learning standalone application creation, you should know basic MATLAB programming and how to write scripts and functions. After this, you can learn about deploying apps with graphical interfaces or integrating MATLAB code with other programming languages for bigger projects.

Mental Model

Core Idea

Standalone application creation packages MATLAB code into a self-contained program that runs independently without needing MATLAB installed.

Think of it like...

It's like baking a cake and then packing it in a box with all the utensils and instructions so anyone can enjoy it at home without needing to bake it themselves.

┌───────────────────────────────┐
│ MATLAB Code & Data            │
├──────────────┬────────────────┤
│ Compiler     │ Packages code   │
│ & Packager   │ with runtime    │
├──────────────┴────────────────┤
│ Standalone Application (.exe) │
│ Runs without MATLAB           │
└───────────────────────────────┘

Build-Up - 7 Steps

1

Foundation

Understanding MATLAB Code Basics

Concept: Learn what MATLAB code is and how it runs inside MATLAB.

MATLAB code consists of scripts and functions that perform calculations or data processing. You write commands and save them as .m files. Running these files inside MATLAB executes your instructions step-by-step.

Result

You can create and run simple MATLAB programs that perform tasks like math calculations or data analysis.

Knowing how MATLAB code works is essential before turning it into a standalone app because the app is just a packaged version of this code.

2

Foundation

Introduction to MATLAB Compiler

Concept: MATLAB Compiler is the tool that converts MATLAB code into standalone applications.

MATLAB Compiler takes your .m files and bundles them with a MATLAB Runtime, which is a small program that runs MATLAB code without MATLAB itself. This process creates an executable file (.exe) for Windows or similar for other systems.

Result

You understand that MATLAB Compiler is the bridge between your code and a standalone app.

Recognizing the role of MATLAB Compiler helps you see how your code can become a shareable program.

3

Intermediate

Preparing Code for Compilation

Concept: Your MATLAB code must follow certain rules to be compiled successfully.

Not all MATLAB features work in standalone apps. For example, some toolboxes or dynamic code features may not be supported. You need to check your code for compatibility, avoid unsupported functions, and handle file paths carefully.

Result

Your code is ready and compatible for creating a standalone application.

Understanding these limitations prevents errors during compilation and ensures your app works as expected.

4

Intermediate

Using MATLAB Compiler GUI and Commands

Concept: Learn how to use MATLAB Compiler through its graphical interface and command line.

MATLAB provides a GUI called 'Application Compiler' where you select your main file, add files, and set options to build the app. Alternatively, you can use the 'mcc' command in MATLAB to compile from the command line with specific flags.

Result

You can create standalone apps using both GUI and command line methods.

Knowing both methods gives flexibility for quick builds or automated workflows.

5

Intermediate

Including Additional Files and Data

Concept: Standalone apps often need extra files like images or data; you must include them properly.

When compiling, you add extra files in the compiler settings so they are packaged with the app. Your code must access these files using relative paths or special functions to find them inside the app’s folder structure.

Result

Your standalone app can use all necessary resources without missing files.

Properly managing extra files avoids runtime errors and makes your app reliable.

6

Advanced

Distributing and Running Standalone Apps

🤔Before reading on: Do you think users need MATLAB installed to run your standalone app? Commit to your answer.

Concept: Learn how to share your app and what users need to run it.

You distribute the executable file and instruct users to install MATLAB Runtime, which is free and small. The runtime runs your app’s MATLAB code. You can also package the runtime installer with your app for easier setup.

Result

Users can run your app on their computers without MATLAB, using only the runtime.

Knowing the runtime requirement clarifies how standalone apps work and what users need.

7

Expert

Optimizing and Debugging Standalone Apps

🤔Before reading on: Do you think debugging standalone apps is the same as debugging in MATLAB? Commit to your answer.

Concept: Advanced techniques to improve app performance and troubleshoot issues.

Standalone apps can be slower or behave differently due to packaging. Use logging inside your code to track errors. You can also use MATLAB’s 'deploytool' for advanced options. Profiling your code before compiling helps optimize speed. Understanding how the runtime handles memory and files helps fix tricky bugs.

Result

You can create efficient, stable standalone apps and solve problems that arise after deployment.

Mastering debugging and optimization is key to professional-quality standalone applications.

Under the Hood

MATLAB Compiler translates your MATLAB code into a form that the MATLAB Runtime can execute. It bundles your code, dependent functions, and resources into a single package. The MATLAB Runtime is a lightweight engine that interprets this package on machines without MATLAB. This separation allows the app to run independently but still use MATLAB’s powerful computation engine.

Why designed this way?

MATLAB is a complex environment with many features. Instead of rewriting MATLAB code in another language, MathWorks created the runtime to reuse the existing engine. This design saves time and preserves MATLAB’s capabilities while enabling sharing. Alternatives like rewriting code in C++ would be costly and error-prone.

┌───────────────┐       ┌─────────────────────┐
│ MATLAB Code   │──────▶│ MATLAB Compiler     │
│ (.m files)    │       │ Packages code +     │
└───────────────┘       │ MATLAB Runtime      │
                        └─────────┬───────────┘
                                  │
                        ┌─────────▼───────────┐
                        │ Standalone App      │
                        │ (Executable +       │
                        │ Runtime)            │
                        └─────────┬───────────┘
                                  │
                        ┌─────────▼───────────┐
                        │ User's Computer     │
                        │ Runs app with       │
                        │ MATLAB Runtime      │
                        └─────────────────────┘

Myth Busters - 3 Common Misconceptions

Quick: Does a standalone MATLAB app require a full MATLAB license on the user's machine? Commit to yes or no.

Common Belief: A standalone MATLAB app needs the user to have MATLAB installed and licensed.

Reality: Standalone apps only require the free MATLAB Runtime, not a full MATLAB license.

Why it matters: Believing this limits sharing your app widely and scares users with cost concerns.

Quick: Can all MATLAB functions be used in standalone apps without changes? Commit to yes or no.

Common Belief: You can compile any MATLAB code into a standalone app without modification.

Reality: Some MATLAB functions and toolboxes are not supported in standalone apps and need alternatives.

Why it matters: Ignoring this causes compilation errors or runtime failures, wasting time.

Quick: Is debugging a standalone app the same as debugging inside MATLAB? Commit to yes or no.

Common Belief: You can debug standalone apps exactly like MATLAB scripts inside MATLAB.

Reality: Standalone apps are harder to debug; you must use logging and test carefully before compiling.

Why it matters: Assuming easy debugging leads to frustration and undetected bugs in deployed apps.

Expert Zone

1

Standalone apps can have different performance due to runtime overhead and file access methods, which experts must profile and optimize.

2

The MATLAB Runtime version must match the compiler version; mismatches cause subtle runtime errors that are hard to diagnose.

3

Packaging large data files inside the app increases size and load time; experts often load data externally or use compressed formats.

When NOT to use

Standalone application creation is not ideal when you need real-time performance or integration with other software requiring native code. In such cases, rewriting critical parts in C/C++ or using MATLAB Coder to generate C code is better.

Production Patterns

Professionals use standalone apps to distribute tools to clients or colleagues without MATLAB. They automate builds with scripts, include installers for MATLAB Runtime, and use version control to manage releases. Logging and error reporting are built-in for maintenance.

Connections

Software Packaging

Standalone application creation builds on the general idea of packaging software with dependencies.

Understanding software packaging principles helps grasp how MATLAB apps bundle code and runtime for easy distribution.

Virtual Machines

MATLAB Runtime acts like a virtual machine that runs MATLAB code independently of the host system.

Knowing how virtual machines isolate and run code clarifies why MATLAB Runtime enables standalone apps.

Containerization (e.g., Docker)

Both standalone apps and containers package code and dependencies for portability, but containers isolate entire environments.

Comparing standalone apps to containers highlights trade-offs between simplicity and environment control.

Common Pitfalls

#1 Not including all necessary files causes the app to fail when it tries to access missing data.

Wrong approach:

Compiling without adding extra files:
mcc -m myApp.m

Correct approach:

Including extra files explicitly:
mcc -m myApp.m -a datafile.mat -a config.json

Root cause:

Assuming the compiler automatically includes all files used by the code.

#2 Using unsupported MATLAB functions leads to compilation errors or runtime crashes.

Wrong approach:

Using 'eval' or unsupported toolbox functions directly in code.

Correct approach:

Replacing unsupported functions with supported alternatives or rewriting logic.

Root cause:

Not checking MATLAB Compiler documentation for supported features.

#3 Expecting standalone apps to run without installing MATLAB Runtime on the user’s machine.

Wrong approach:

Distributing only the executable without runtime installation instructions.

Correct approach:

Providing MATLAB Runtime installer or linking to its download page with the app.

Root cause:

Misunderstanding that the runtime is required but separate from MATLAB.

Key Takeaways

Standalone application creation lets you share MATLAB programs as independent apps without requiring MATLAB on user machines.

MATLAB Compiler packages your code with a free MATLAB Runtime that runs the app anywhere.

Not all MATLAB features work in standalone apps; you must prepare and test your code carefully.

Including all necessary files and managing paths is critical for app reliability.

Advanced users optimize performance and debug with logging since standalone apps behave differently than MATLAB scripts.

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