User`s guide
R2008a
18-2
Desktop Tools and Development Environment
Desktop New Features Video
For an overview of the major new features in the MATLAB Desktop Tools and
Development Environment area, watch this video demo. You can also access this and
other video demos by selecting the Demos tab in the Help browser, and then selecting
MATLAB > New Features in Version 7.6.
Startup and Shutdown
New features and changes introduced in Version 7.6 (R2008a) are:
• “Windows Platforms — Startup Changes, Including Use of My Documents/MATLAB
or Documents/MATLAB Directory” on page 18-2
• “UNIX Platforms — Startup Changes” on page 18-3
• “Macintosh Platforms — Startup Changes” on page 18-3
• “Macintosh Platforms — Define Startup Options Using New Dialog Box” on page
18-4
• “Macintosh Platforms — Run Startup Diagnostics” on page 18-4
• “Updated Version of JVM Software on Solaris Platform” on page 18-4
• “Changes to Abnormal Termination Process” on page 18-5
Windows Platforms — Startup Changes, Including Use of My Documents/MATLAB or
Documents/MATLAB Directory
On Microsoft Windows platforms, when MATLAB starts, it automatically adds the My
Documents/MATLAB directory (or Documents/MATLAB on Windows Vista™) to the top
of the MATLAB search path. This directory is known as the userpath. If you remove
the My Documents/MATLAB (or Documents/MATLAB) directory from the search path
and save the changes, either using the Set Path dialog box or using the rmpath and
savepath functions, the MATLAB search path will not include the userpath directory
at the next startup. On Windows platforms, the userpath is also the default startup
directory.
Use the new function, userpath, to view the current value, clear the value so the
directory is not on the search path and is not the startup directory, specify a different