User`s guide
R2007a
20-2
Desktop Tools and Development Environment
Startup and Shutdown
New features and changes introduced in Version 7.4 (R2007a) are
• “Double-Clicking Associated File Type in Explorer Now Opens File in Existing
Session of MATLAB Software” on page 20-2
• “Changes to Startup Directory (Folder) and Startup Options for MATLAB Application
on Windows” on page 20-3
• “JVM for Windows Updated” on page 20-5
• “New Version of Java Access Bridge Software” on page 20-6
• “Confirm Exit Preference to be Enabled by Default in Future Version” on page
20-6
Double-Clicking Associated File Type in Explorer Now Opens File in Existing Session of MATLAB
Software
When you open a file from Microsoft Windows Explorer whose type is associated with
the MATLAB application, the file opens in the appropriate tool in the existing session
of MATLAB, if MATLAB is already running, or if not, starts MATLAB. This assumes
you associated the file types with MATLAB by accepting the defaults while installing
MATLAB, or by changing the associations. For example, in Explorer, double-click an
M-file to open the file in the MATLAB Editor/Debugger, or double-click a MAT-file
to open the Import Wizard and load the data into the workspace in MATLAB. For
details, including how to change file associations, see Associating Files with MATLAB on
Windows Platforms.
Compatibility Considerations
In previous versions, when you double-clicked a file in Explorer whose type was
associated with MATLAB, the file opened in a new session of MATLAB. The change
made in MATLAB Version 7.4 (R2007a) to open the file in an existing session was based
on many user requests.
In previous versions, double-clicking a MAT-file associated with MATLAB in Explorer
opened a new session ofMATLAB and loaded the data into the workspace. When clicked
in the Apple Macintosh Finder, the data loaded into the existing session of MATLAB.