To build (publish) a MATLAB interface to a C++ library, you need:

The MATLAB interface automatically converts C++ function signatures into MATLAB function signatures. However, some C++ language constructs do not have unique matches in the MATLAB language. To bridge this gap, MATLAB uses a library definition file (with the .mlx file extension) which a publisher creates and modifies to provide missing information. The publisher must have enough C++ language skills to interpret a function signature and provide the missing information.

An example of information the publisher needs to define relates to the use of pointers to pass data to functions. A pointer is a location in memory that indicates the start of a block of data. To pass this data to MATLAB safely, the publisher must specify the size of the data. Generally, the function documentation indicates the size of the data, perhaps as an additional input argument. Using the MATLAB definition file, the publisher specifies the value, and then MATLAB creates the equivalent MATLAB function signature. To display function signatures, see Display Help for MATLAB Interface to C++ Library.

To make this interface available to other MATLAB users, provide them with the MATLAB interface file. The end user puts the shared library file on the system path or run-time path and the interface file on the MATLAB path.

Examples:

For information about calling functions in the library, see Use Prebuilt MATLAB Interface to C++ Library.