MATLAB: Do I get “same name as a MATLAB builtin” warnings on startup

MATLAB

Whenever I start MATLAB I get the following warnings:
 
 Warning: Function C:\Program 
 Files\MATLAB\R2008b\toolbox\matlab\randfun\ja\rand.m has the same name as a
 MATLAB builtin. We suggest you rename the function to avoid a potential name
 conflict. 
 Warning: Function C:\Program
 Files\MATLAB\R2008b\toolbox\matlab\randfun\ja\randi.m has the same name as a
 MATLAB builtin. We suggest you rename the function to avoid a potential name
 conflict. 
 Warning: Function C:\Program
 Files\MATLAB\R2008b\toolbox\matlab\randfun\ja\randn.m has the same name as a
 MATLAB builtin. We suggest you rename the function to avoid a potential name
 conflict.

Best Answer

This issue could arise due to multiple reasons some of which are summarized below:
  • Multiple MATLAB installations on the system path. On Windows, for example, having an installation of MATLAB directly under C:\ and also under C:\Program Files\MATLAB\ . A possible resolution will be removing the installation files under C:\. 
  • Presence of MATLAB installation files in D:\ or F:\ drive and instead of D:\MATLAB or F:\MATLAB.
  • Presence of functions which are generating these warnings on your path. These files are there to provide Japanese language help (note the /ja/ directory they are contained in). It is likely that this /ja/ directory was added to your path accidentally or maybe by another user. To correct these warnings execute the following commands 
rmpath('C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2008b\toolbox\matlab\randfun\ja\')
savepath
When you restart MATLAB, the warning messages should not be displayed.
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