Standalone application creation in MATLAB - Step-by-Step Execution

Concept Flow - Standalone application creation

Write MATLAB code

↓

Use MATLAB Compiler

↓

Compile code to standalone app

↓

Generate executable file

↓

Run executable independently

This flow shows how MATLAB code is written, compiled into a standalone executable, and then run independently without MATLAB.

Execution Sample

MATLAB

function greet
    disp('Hello from standalone app!')
end

% Compile with: mcc -m greet.m

This simple MATLAB function displays a greeting message and can be compiled into a standalone executable.

Execution Table

Step	Action	Evaluation	Result
1	Write function greet()	Function greet created	Ready for compilation
2	Run mcc -m greet.m	MATLAB Compiler invoked	Compilation starts
3	Compiler processes greet.m	Code analyzed and packaged	Executable generated
4	Run executable greet.exe	Standalone app runs	Displays: Hello from standalone app!
5	Exit	Execution complete	Standalone app closes

💡 Standalone executable runs independently and exits after displaying the message.

Variable Tracker

Variable	Start	After Compilation	After Execution	Final
greet	Defined as function	Packaged into executable	Function runs	Execution ends

Key Moments - 2 Insights

Why do we need to compile MATLAB code to create a standalone app?

Because MATLAB code alone requires MATLAB environment to run; compiling packages code and runtime so it can run independently, as shown in execution_table step 3.

What happens when we run the standalone executable?

The executable runs the packaged MATLAB function without MATLAB installed, displaying output and then exiting, as seen in execution_table step 4.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table, what is the result of running the executable at step 4?

A Compilation error

B No output

C Displays: Hello from standalone app!

D MATLAB command window opens

💡 Hint

Check execution_table row with Step 4 for the output of running the executable.

At which step does the MATLAB Compiler package the code into an executable?

A Step 1

B Step 3

C Step 2

D Step 4

💡 Hint

Look at execution_table row describing compilation and packaging.

If the function greet() had an error, at which step would it most likely be detected?

A Step 3

B Step 2

C Step 1

D Step 4

💡 Hint

Errors in code are usually caught during compilation, see execution_table step 3.

Concept Snapshot

Standalone application creation in MATLAB:
- Write MATLAB function (.m file)
- Use MATLAB Compiler (mcc) to compile
- Generates executable (.exe)
- Run executable without MATLAB
- Useful for sharing apps without MATLAB license

Full Transcript

Standalone application creation in MATLAB involves writing your MATLAB code as a function, then using the MATLAB Compiler tool to convert that code into a standalone executable file. This executable can run on computers without MATLAB installed. The process starts by writing the function, then running the compiler command 'mcc -m yourfile.m' which packages your code and MATLAB runtime into an executable. When you run this executable, it behaves like a normal program, showing output and then closing. This method allows sharing MATLAB programs easily without requiring the MATLAB environment.

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