Get Matlab Startup directory

Hello,

I use a batch script to start Matlab and set the startup directory via the -sd switch.

Example:

:: Matlab startup directory
set STARTUP_DIRECTORY=%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Matlab\R2019a_x64\MyDirectory
:: Matlab Executable
set MATLAB_EXECUTABLE=%ProgramFiles%\MATLAB\R2019a\bin\matlab.exe
:: start Matlab with specified startup directory
call "%MATLAB_EXECUTABLE%" -sd "%STARTUP_DIRECTORY%"

I use this procedure because I work with multiple Matlab configurations (Java classpath, Java library path, Matlab path) in each of the startup directories.

I have a setup script which collects all required information and stores the 3 Matlab configuration files (javaclasspath.txt, javalibrarypath.txt, pathdef.m) in the startup directory. To get that directory in the current Matlab session i used the following (dirty but working) code:

char(java.lang.System.getProperty('user.dir'));

But since Matlab 2019a, this line always returns:

'C:\Users\<UserName>\Desktop'

I have also tried the userpath command but unfortunately, this always returns the same directory, no matter which directory is specified as startup directory:

'C:\Users\<UserName>\Documents\MATLAB'

Maybe someone has got a solution or workaround for my problem?

Thank you,

Markus

Answer 1

[Ben Cunningham]

You can use :

>> pwd

to return the present working directory in MATLAB.

You define your procedure as :

• I start Matlab with the modified startup directory (-sd switch)
• Now I change to another directory where my software is located e.g. D:\MyProject\MySoftware
• In this directory I execute a setup M script

Why not :

• I start Matlab with the modified startup directory (-sd switch)
• I save the startup directory to a variable

startDir = pwd

• Now I change to another directory where my software is located e.g. D:\MyProject\MySoftware
• In this directory I execute a setup M script

Your setup M script then uses the variable 'startDir' to copy the files as required.

[Markus Aigner]

The software is not only used by me but can be used by other people who use Matlab, too.

In this case I don't have the possibility to execute the mentioned command.

The people get our software, create a startup directory for this software (to have a clean Matlab configuration and/or to not mess up their current configuration), switch to our software directory and execute the setup script.

When they re-start Matlab with the modified startup path, the Matlab environment is prepared to use our software.

[Ben Cunningham]

It seems to me that if the user is creating this start up directory, then why not use

startDir = uigetdir

in your script and let the user navigate to it.

Additionally, they could create the directory at the same time in the UI. I know it's not exactly what you're after.

[Markus Aigner]

Thank you for your quick response and some ideas for an alternative setup procedure.

I may think about your suggested solution or a similar one (e.g. giving the user the possibility to pass the "configuration directory" as optional argument for the setup script).

Maybe it would be a nice feature for future releases to get this user defined startup directory via the userpath command?

Answer 2

[Markus Aigner]

Thank you but unfortunately I cannot use this solution.

My procedure is as follows:

• I start Matlab with the modified startup directory (-sd switch)
• Now I change to another directory where my software is located e.g. D:\MyProject\MySoftware
• In this directory I execute a setup M script

This setup script generates the Matlab configuration files which shall be copied into the startup directory (for the next Matlab startup).

Because I have already changed the current working directory (in this case to D:\MyProject\MySoftware), I cannot use the pwd command.

[Ben Cunningham]

I've updated my answer - I think this does what you need?