How to create user input files using Matlab

Hi,

I used Matlab a while ago, mainly to create plots from a set of data files. Do not have any other experiences.

Our company has a numerical simulation fortran program with we license commencially. The procedure of running our current application is like this: (1) The users create several text files with combination of numbers and texts. Usually, these files can be created from notepad in Windows. (2) run the program from window DOS. (3) The users create plot from data outputs using Excel or Matlab. Each user may have his own postprocessor.

The above seems quite old fashioned. We plan to upgrade the application to more user friendly environment. What we have in our mind is that: (1) Generate the input files using a user interface applications. (2) Run the executable from window, not from DOS anymore. (3) Plot the outputs using Matlab by building a uniform application.

I understand that step (3) is relatively easy from my own experiences. But can I license Matlab and do (1) and (2) also? I know I can use VB or C++ to do (1). But if Matlab can do (1), it will make everything simpler and nicer.

Thanks.

Answer 1

[Jan]

Yes, Matlab can create a data file, when the data are obtained by user inputs in a GUI, and external programs can be started.

Answer 2

[dpb]

A) There are several choices w/ Matlab -- you can build applications and create compiled apps that you can distribute which sorta' sounds like what your organization would be thinking of. You need to contact TMW sales department and discuss those issues as for actual terms and what product(s) you would need.

B) Sure, Matlab can do 1) and 2) ... you can write text files in a format that the Fortran code can use as input or, depending on how the Fortran code is written, possibly even interact w/ it directly. At a minimum you can certainly write the text input from a GUI-type environment and submit the job.

B, 2) If the Fortran is a console app, you'll still have to run it in a console window but again depending on how it's written you may (or may not) be able to capture output from it and thereby actually intereact to control its execution. But, as a minimum you can certainly dispatch a job for it after having prepared the input files and then postprocess those results using Matlab.

Again, contact TMW sales on the licensing/products info...