MATLAB Crashes When I Update and Copy in New Mex File

My mex files (e.g., "mymex.mexa64") work fine when I start MATLAB from scratch and run my code in a fresh environment.

However, when I've been working in MATLAB for a while, then modify my mex file and copy the new "mymex.mexa64" into my workspace, things then crash. I know the mex file is fine, because I can start MATLAB again, and everything works perfectly. It seems like MATLAB is not happy when I update the mex file when MATLAB has been running.

Is there a "reset mexfiles" or "clear mexfiles" or some other command that would make my mex files work when I copy new ones in after MATLAB has already been started? I'm assuming that MATLAB has some kind of cache for the mex files, and then when I copy in a new mex file, perhaps this breaks the cache?

Again, the problem is not my mex files. They are fine and always work when I start a fresh launch of MATLAB. The problem is when I copy mex files into the workspace after MATLAB has already been running.

Any ideas for how to get MATLAB to accept my mex files without having to close the entire MATLAB environment and start all over again?

Answer 1

[Walter Roberson]

clear mex

This will not affect files in use.

I am not sure what would happen if you had a function handle that refers to a mex file.

[Aaron Vose]

Thanks, I will try this. I did attempt "clear all" and that didn't seemt to help. I will try this again. Thanks much!

[Aaron Vose]

Actually I just tried "clear mex" and this command immediately causes MATLAB to crash.

EDIT: I did have the application paused on a breakpoint when I did the "clear mex". I will try again when execution is not paused on a breakpoint.

[Aaron Vose]

Thank you for your solution! This is now working for me:

clear mex

However, I need to be sure to stop all execution / debugging before running the command or it will crash.

[James Tursa]

@Aaron Vose In spite of your protestations, this behavior is usually caused by bugs in your mex routine. Maybe you can shrink the code to a small example that reproduces this behavior and post it for us to inspect.