How do I manage the contents of MATLAB Function blocks via source control?

I have a Simulink Model with MATLAB Function blocks. I want to manage the scripts inside these blocks with version control. Since the contents of the MATLAB Function blocks are embedded in the SLX file as binaries, I cannot identify readable changes to the MATLAB scripts using git. Is there a workaround for this?

Answer 1

[MathWorks Support Team]

The most straightforward way to do this is via a nested function call, such that your MATLAB Function block contains a call to another MATLAB Function on your path which resides in a standalone M file. This way, you can manage the standalone M file with your source control software of choice. See an example below: 

% In the MATLAB Function Block code 

function y = fcn(u) 
y = foo(u); 
end 

% In a separate M file on the MATLAB Path: 

function z = foo(x) 
z = x^2; 
end 

This way, when the MATLAB Function Block is executed, it will call a function definition stored in a separate M file which can be managed line-by-line with source control. 

As another potential workaround, the Model Comparison Tool within Simulink is able to compare, merge, and revert changes to MATLAB Function blocks within SLX files. This tool can be integrated with git so that it is automatically launched when performing diff and merge commands.  

Here is a brief video which describes the Model Comparison Tool workflow and demonstrates it for a three-way merge: 

https://www.mathworks.com/videos/three-way-model-merge-117825.html?s_tid=srchtitle 

For more information about using the Comparison Tool for a two-way model merge, see the link below: 

https://www.mathworks.com/help/simulink/ug/merge-simulink-models-from-the-comparison-report.html#bt_82c9 

For more information about configuring git to use the Model Comparison Tool, see the link below: 

https://www.mathworks.com/help/simulink/ug/customize-external-source-control-to-use-matlab-for-comparison-and-merge.html