Standalone application creation in MATLAB - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a standalone application in MATLAB?

A standalone application is a program created in MATLAB that can run independently on a computer without requiring MATLAB to be installed.

beginner

Which MATLAB tool is used to create standalone applications?

MATLAB Compiler is used to package MATLAB programs into standalone applications.

beginner

What is the first step to create a standalone application from a MATLAB script?

The first step is to write and test your MATLAB code to make sure it works correctly before compiling.

intermediate

Why do you need to compile MATLAB code to create a standalone application?

Compiling converts MATLAB code into an executable format that can run on computers without MATLAB installed.

intermediate

Name one limitation when creating standalone applications from MATLAB code.

Standalone applications cannot use MATLAB toolboxes that are not supported by the MATLAB Compiler.

What does MATLAB Compiler produce when creating a standalone application?

A A MATLAB script

B A data file

C A Simulink model

D An executable file

MATLAB Compiler creates an executable file that can run without MATLAB.

Which of these is NOT required to run a MATLAB standalone application?

A The executable file

B MATLAB Runtime

C MATLAB installed

D Compatible operating system

MATLAB is not required; only MATLAB Runtime is needed to run the standalone app.

What must you do before compiling your MATLAB code into a standalone app?

A Test and debug your code

B Convert code to C++

C Install Simulink

D Create a GUI

Testing and debugging ensures the code works correctly before compiling.

Which file extension is commonly produced for Windows standalone MATLAB apps?

A .mat

B .exe

C .mlx

D .m

Windows standalone applications are usually .exe files.

What is MATLAB Runtime?

A A free library to run compiled MATLAB apps

B The MATLAB editor

C A MATLAB toolbox

D A debugger

MATLAB Runtime is a free library needed to run compiled MATLAB applications.

Explain the process of creating a standalone application from MATLAB code.

Think about the steps from coding to running without MATLAB.

What are the benefits and limitations of standalone applications created with MATLAB?

Consider what makes standalone apps useful and what restrictions they have.

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