User`s guide

1 Introducing the MATLAB Compiler
1-2
Introduction
This book describes Version 3.0 of the MATLAB
®
Compiler. The MATLAB
Compiler takes M-files as input and generates C or C++ source code or P-code
as output. The MATLAB Compiler can generate these kinds of source code:
• C source code for building MEX-files.
• C or C++ source code for combining with other modules to form stand-alone
applications. Stand-alone applications do not require MATLAB at run-time;
they can run even if MATLAB is not installed on the end-user’s system.
• C code S-functions for use with Simulink
®
.
• C shared libraries (dynamically linked libraries, or DLLs, on Microsoft
Windows) and C++ static libraries. These can be used without MATLAB on
the end-user’s system.
• Excel compatible plug-ins
• COM (Component Object Model) objects.
This chapter takes a closer look at these categories of C and C++ source code
and explains the value of compiled code.
Note MATLAB Compiler 3.0 includes the MATLAB C/C++ Math Library and
the MATLAB C/C++ Graphics Library. Installing the MATLAB Compiler
automatically installs the C/C++ Math and Graphics Libraries.
Before You Begin
Before reading this book, you should already be comfortable writing M-files. If
you are not, see Programming and Data Types in the MATLAB documentation.