User`s guide
R2008b
17-38
External Interfaces/API
Do Not Use DLL File Extensions for MEX-Files
In the future, on 32-bit Microsoft Windows systems, MATLAB will not support MEX-files
with a .dll file extension. In MATLAB Version 7.7 (R2008b), if you run a MEX-file with
a .dll file extension, MATLAB displays a warning.
Additionally, if you use the mex function with the -output switch to create a MEX-file
with a .dll extension, MATLAB displays a warning. If you use the -output switch to
name a MEX-file, you do not need to provide a file extension. MATLAB automatically
appends the appropriate extension. For example, the following command creates a MEX-
file named newtest.mexw32:
mex mytest.c -output newtest
Compatibility Considerations
You must recompile MEX-files with a .mexw32 file extension. This is the default of the
mex command.
MEX-Files Must Be Recompiled When -largeArrayDims Becomes Default
MEX Option
In a future version of MATLAB, the default mex command will change to use the large-
array-handling API. This means the -largeArrayDims option will be the default. For
information about migrating your MEX-files to use the large-array-handling API, see the
Technical Support solution 1-5C27B9.
Compatibility Considerations
In the near future you will be required to update your code to use the new API and
to recompile your MEX-files. You should review your source MEX-files and mex build
scripts.
New Compiler Support
MATLAB Version 7.7 (R2008b) supports these new compilers for building MEX-files: