Why do I get an "undefined function" error and loss of command functionality when I start MATLAB?

I receive the following error when starting MATLAB:

 ??? Undefined function or variable 'usejava'.

 Error in ==> /matlab/toolbox/local/matlabrc.m

 On line 24  ==> if usejava('Desktop')

After that, when I try to use any MATLAB commands, I receive further errors.

Answer 1

[MathWorks Support Team]

This bug has been fixed in Release 14 Service Pack 3 (R14SP3). For previous product releases, read below for any possible workarounds:

This issue is due to a corrupt pathdef.m file, which contains a list of the directories in the MATLAB search path.

To resolve this issue, see the following:

If you are using MATLAB 7.0 (R14), type the following commands:

restoredefaultpath ; matlabrc

If this command resolves the issue, type the following command to save the current path for all future sessions of MATLAB:

savepath

If you are using versions of MATLAB prior to MATLAB 7.0 (R14), follow the appropriate instructions below:

For Windows Installations

Start MATLAB, and enter the following commands:

matlabpath(char(com.mathworks.jmi.MatlabPath.getDefaultPath))

path2rc(fullfile(matlabroot,'toolbox','local','pathdef.m'))

This will regenerate your pathdef.m file.

If you still have problems, send a copy of your pathdef.m file from $MATLAB/toolbox/local/ to [e-mail] and mention Solution 1-1AVEG in the subject field.