Is it possible to pass functions as arguments to C++ MEX functions?

I have only been working with mex functions for a couple of weeks, and am now working on writing a Runge-Kutta, 4th order solver as a C++ mex function.

I am wondering whether it is possible to take a function as an input.

Effectively, it would be nice to have my dynamics function written in MATLAB and pass it straight through to my RK4 mex function.

For example, if the dynamics are governed by Duffing's equation:

function xdot = Duffing(t,x)

xdot = [x(2); 0.3*cos(t)-0.22*x(2)+x(1)-x(1)^3];

end

(I do realize this can be written in line as Duffing = @(t,x) (whatever) also.

Is there a way to call the dynamics function from within a mex function or is inputs[] constrained to numeric types only?

I tried the following:

class MexFunction : public matlab::mex::Function {
public:
    void operator()(ArgumentList outputs, ArgumentList inputs) {
        
//     Access the dynamics function
        typedef TypedArray<double> xdot_type (TypedArray<double>, TypedArray<double>);
        xdot_type xdot;
        xdot = inputs[0];
        

Naturally, this doesn't work because inputs[0] is not assignable to 'TypedArray<double> (TypedArray<double>, TypedArray<double>)', since I think the ArgumentList thinks inputs[0] should be purely numeric.

Can anyone think of a solution to this, or will I just have to write my dynamics function in C++?

Looking forward to some suggestions!

Thomas

[James Tursa]

In C one would just use mexCallMATLAB with the function name as a string, or with the function handle passed in and mexCallMATLAB using 'feval'. I am not familiar enough with the C++ interface to know how this might work with ArgumentList types.

Answer 1

[James Tursa]

Just quickly skimming the MATLAB C++ API doc, it looks like you can do this using the matlab::engine::MATLABEngine::feval interface found here:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/matlab_external/cpp-mex-api.html?searchHighlight=fevalAsync&s_tid=srchtitle#mw_723048ca-e22f-4bfb-aa12-47b8007da774

I.e., pass your function name into the C++ mex file as a string which you can get from the ArgumentList via the matlab::data::CharArray syntax:

void operator()(matlab::mex::ArgumentList outputs, matlab::mex::ArgumentList inputs) {
    matlab::data::CharArray fname = inputs[0];
    etc.

Then convert fname into a std::u16string and use that in the feval interface.

Answer 2

[thomas greenhill]

James, many thanks for your suggestion, this did indeed work.

The full solution for anyone looking at this in the future is:

void operator()(matlab::mex::ArgumentList outputs, matlab::mex::ArgumentList inputs)
    {
        matlab::data::CharArray fn = inputs[0];
        std::basic_string<char16_t> fname = fn.toUTF16();
        std::vector<matlab::data::Array> args({...whatever other inputs...});
        
        matlab::data::Array result;
        
        result = matlabPtr->feval(fname, args);
        matlab::data::TypedArray<double> returnedValues(std::move(result));
        
        ...whatever outputs... = returnedValues;
        
        }