Are MATLAB updates supersed each other or we must install the whole packages?

For example, in Matlab R2019a release there are six updates as shown in this link

https://www.mathworks.com/downloads/web_downloads/show_updates?release=R2019a

For Windows

• Update 1 = 1010 MB
• Update 2 = 2.51 GB
• Update 3 = 3.31 GB
• Update 4 = 4.12 GB
• Update 5 = 7.89 GB
• Update 6 = 8.35 GB

Furthermore, if we take a look on the Bug Reports page of R2019a release

https://www.mathworks.com/support/bugreports/?firf=R2019a&release=R2019a&release_filter=Fixed+in&sort_by=report-id-asc&utf8=%E2%9C%93

If we download the update 6 package, we'll get all of the previous updates, isn't it some kind of redundancy or a must?

Does it mean that each update package address different bugs and not supersed each other?

I mean, 8 GB is quite a lot for an update, I thought the update 6 package supposely only need 1GB because it superseed the previous update packages.

[Walter Roberson]

They are cumulative. If you install Update 6 you do not need to install Update 1 through 5.

[James Richard]

But the update 6 package also includes update 1 through 5.

Does it mean it will install the update 6 only, or by installing it sequentially from update 1, 2, till 6?

[Walter Roberson]

Update 6 includes all of the previous updates. After updating with 6 all of the changes from 1 through 5 will also be done.

If the question is how this is achieved, the answer is that update 6 includes all of the files updated by the earlier updates, but does not run the earlier updates in sequence.

Answer 1

[Guillaume]

Each update includes all the previous updates, you only need to install the latest even if you haven't installed the previous ones.

[James Richard]

But why the update 6 package is 8.5GB instead of smaller sizes 1GB or so?

Does it mean it will install the update 6 only? Or by installing it sequentially from update 1, 2, till 6?

[Guillaume]

I don't understand your question (nor why you care so much about the size of the update), since update 6 includes all of update 5 + whatever comes with update 6, it's going to be bigger than the previous update.

[James Richard]

Seems like my assumption is wrong, I thought some of the updates are superseding previous updates just like some of the Windows Update.

So the conclusion is that the update are cumulative. And each update number exclusively address different bugs.

Is it correct?

[Guillaume]

I don't know how many different ways we can say the same thing.

Each update includes all the previous updates. Each update supersedes all the previous ones. Each update has all the bug fixes of the previous update. If you haven't installed previous updates, you only need to install the latest.

Also see Update FAQ

[James Richard]

Thank you, I understand it now.

My confusion comes from the update structure If you extract the zip file, update 6 package has these folders:

• R2019a
• R2019a_Update_1
• R2019a_Update_2
• R2019a_Update_3
• R2019a_Update_4
• R2019a_Update_5

From my point of view, it creates impression whether it is supersed or cumulative.

Cumulative doesn't imply supersed. The common example is windows updates, it has a lot of updates that may or may not cumulative and may or may not supersed any previous update. It's common to encounter if you used to create your own .iso installation file of windows or office with integrated updates.

[Bruno Luong]

I never download an update (>0) installer, but I must admid Richard's question seems to be a valid one. Why it includes all the previous updates in the packaging?

[James Richard]

@Bruno Luong As far as my understanding, because each update folder in the zip file address to exclusively different bugs, as you have seen in the bug reports page screenshot in my question above.

Also, for example some people may already have matlab with cummulative update 5, so why should we download cumulative updates till 6 while we only need exclusive update 6 only? It saves internet bandwidth for metered connection users.

It should be reorganized or rephrased I think, so that there are the cummulative and exclusive only one to avoid confusion and also bandwidth wise.

Perhaps something like this or better.

• Update 1 Only
• Update 2 Only
• Update 3 Only
• Update 4 Only
• Update 5 Only
• Update 6 Only

• Cumulative Update 2 (Update 1 + Update 2)
• Cumulative Update 3 (Update 1 + Update 2 + Update 3)
• Cumulative Update 4 (Update 1 + Update 2 + Update 3 + Update 4)
• Cumulative Update 5 (Update 1 + Update 2 + Update 3 + Update 4 + Update 5)
• Cumulative Update 6 (Update 1 + Update 2 + Update 3 + Update 4 + Update 5 + Update 6)

[Bruno Luong]

I don't believe it. Update 6 of R2019A must include ALL the bug corrections from 1 to 6. That is why user can just use Update 6.

Some bug are correct FROM some update as reported as BUG list but they are not exclusive.

If the bug is presented on some specific executable compiled file XXX, and XXX has 2 or more bugs corrected in 2 or more updates, that implies that users can never have access to an executable that correct all bugs accross updates.

[Bruno Luong]

Let's agree about the official TMW wording:

AFAIK there is no such thing as "Cumulative Update 6 of R2019a" or "Update 6 Only", there is just "R2019a Update 6 package" (which is cumulative according to TMW description).

[James Richard]

"I don't believe it. Update 6 of R2019A must include ALL the bug corrections from 1 to 6. That is why user can just use Update 6."

It makes sense if the user has just freshly installed the Matlab with no update. But, if a user already installed the matlab along with "update 5", why can't he download exlusively the update 6 to saves bandwidth? It's my request for future change.

"Some bug are correct FROM some update as reported as BUG list but they are not exclusive.

If the bug is presented on some specific executable compiled file XXX, and XXX has 2 or more bugs corrected in 2 or more updates, that implies that users can never have access to an executable that correct all bugs accross updates."

1. Why the devs seperate the folder with each filter in bug report page along with its fix options if it's not exclusive? They should merge it into one folder instead. It's unintuitive in my opinion to seperate it in the first place if it's not exclusive.
2. Suppose if it's not exclusive. If you go to the bug reports page and checklist the filter to update 1 till 6, you see that the search results are 494, if you sum it from each filter it's 51+127+96+69+72+79=494. It's exactly the same. If a bug needs to be fixed by two updates or if some newer update released to supersed previous updates, then the search results must be higher than 494.

"Let's agree about the official TMW wording:

AFAIK there is no such thing as "Cumulative Update 6 of R2019a" or "Update 6 Only", there is just "R2019a Update 6 package" (which is cumulative according to TMW description)."

Yes there is no such thing from the TMW wording. It was my advice for future change.

Wording just a rhetoric. Rhetoric wraps up the logic. What is important is the substance, the concept, the logic. The semiotic of the words "cumulative update" according to TMW description, it could consists of exclusive updates or not, and also consists of superseded updates or not. Just as windows updates example that I have explained earlier.

[Bruno Luong]

The logic is described in the Update FAQ page Guillaume has provided and it should be taken as reference. The answers #1, 5, 6 clearly states an Update is cumulative. There is no ambiguity or risk of wrong reading.

MATLAB never provides a non-cumulative update (Update 6 Only in your wording).

You list of

• Update 1 Only
• ...
• Cumulative Update 6 (Update 1 + Update 2 + Update 3 + Update 4 + Update 5 + Update 6)

doesn't reflect any reallity, since there exists no such thing stated by the Bullets 1-6 of your list.

[Bruno Luong]

"But, if a user already installed the matlab along with "update 5", why can't he download exlusively the update 6 to saves bandwidth? It's my request for future change."

If you want to save bandwidth do like me, click on Help -> Check for Update or wait until MATLAB tells you there is an update. I believe it downloads just what it needs.

I never have to download the update manually and have to wait for 8Gb to be transfered.

I also believe the packaging of the installer is unecessary redundant.

[James Richard]

"MATLAB never provides a non-cumulative update (Update 6 Only in your wording). "

"doesn't reflect any reallity, since there exists no such thing stated by the Bullets 1-6 of your list."

It's my future request for the devs, of course it doesn't reflect reality. It doesn't exist, yet.

"The logic is described in the Update FAQ page Guillaume has provided and it should be taken as reference. The answers #1, 5, 6 clearly states an Update is cumulative. There is no ambiguity or risk of wrong reading."

Yes I have taken it as a reference and read it carefuly. My point is that, cumulative update doesn't imply consists of exclusive or supersed updates. That's why it needs clarification.

"If you want to save bandwidth do like me, click on Help -> Check for Update or wait until MATLAB tells you there is an update. I believe it downloads just what it needs.

I never have to download the update manually and have to wait for 8Gb to be transfered."

Yes I agree it makes sense if the user is only updating on one computer, but what if more than one? Multiple location or something? That's why I think offline methods is still powerful.https://www.mathworks.com/help/install/ug/install-update-release-on-offline-machine.html

"I also believe the packaging of the installer is unecessary redundant."

Guess we have to wait the devs response. ...

[Bruno Luong]

1. TMW have no obligation to answer question asked here.
2. We simply suspect the packaging is unecessary large, but there is no impact or disfunction, so in principle there is no issue.

[James Richard]

1. No obligation, has the right, at least spokeperson or someone that knows it precisely could answer.
2. Agreed. We need the reason.

[Walter Roberson]

Open a technical support case if you need an official answer.

[James Richard]

After update 2019b update 2 has been released. I've just realized that "R2019b" folder on Update 1 Package and on "R2019b_Update_1" folder on Update 2 Package has different size and file/folders count.

Thus I conclude that any newer updates, as well as cummulative, the folders are also superseding older updates.

In my opinion, the folder structure to seperate each updates folder even though it's not exclusive each other is unintuitive, so much so that it makes me want to raise this question. Pardon for the inconvenience.