MATLAB: How to invoke C++ executable file (.exe) from Matlab code or Simulink

I am trying to run a C++ executable file (.exe) from matlab or Simulink. Currently I have to run the ++ executable file (.exe) manually and start the simulation in matlab environment to start the data exchange between matlab and C++ code. Is there any easier way to automate the process? Eg- I can just run matlab/Simulink and the C++ executable file (.exe) is invoked.

Operating system – Windows10

Matlab – 2017a/b

User Datagram Protocol (UDP) is used between matlab and C++

Best Answer

As Walter suggested you can use .Net System.Diagnostic.Process to run it.

This way you will also be able to terminate the program.

process = System.Diagnostics.Process(); 
process.StartInfo.FileName = 'java.exe';
process.StartInfo.Arguments = 'some args';
process.StartInfo.UseShellExecute = false;
process.StartInfo.RedirectStandardInput = false;
process.StartInfo.CreateNoWindow = false;
process.Start();
processisrunning = ~process.HasExited;

You can then close it as follows

process.Close();
% or 
process.CloseMainWindow();
% or terminate immediately
process.Kill();

Related Solutions

MATLAB: How to kill a system process which is frozen

You can use .Net System.Diagnostic.Process to run it. This way you will also be able to terminate the program.

if true
  process = System.Diagnostics.Process(); 
process.StartInfo.FileName = 'java.exe';
process.StartInfo.Arguments = 'some args';
process.StartInfo.UseShellExecute = false;
process.StartInfo.RedirectStandardInput = false;
process.StartInfo.CreateNoWindow = false;
process.Start();
processisrunning = ~process.HasExited;
end

You can use the following command to kill the exe.

if true
  process.Kill();
end

MATLAB: How to redirect standard input and standard output using .Net System.Diagnostics.Process

You can try this. You may have to choose the option on how to decide when xfoil.exe has finished reading.

process = System.Diagnostics.Process();
process.StartInfo.FileName = 'xfoil.exe';
process.StartInfo.UseShellExecute = false;
process.StartInfo.RedirectStandardInput = true;
process.StartInfo.RedirectStandardOutput = true;
process.StartInfo.CreateNoWindow = false;
process.Start();
stdin = process.StandardInput;
stdout = process.StandardOutput;
fid = fopen('xfoil.inp','r'); % read the xfoil.inp
txt = fread(fid,'*char');
fclose(fid);
stdin.Write(txt); % send the input to xfoil.exe
out = stdout.ReadToEndAsync;
% wait for xfoil.exe to finish processing
% option 1
pause(1); % pause for a predefined amount of time
% option 2
% wait until xfoil.exe has terminated
while(~process.HasExited)
    pause(1);
end
try
process.Kill; % kill the process if needed.
catch
end
xfoil_out = char(out.Result);

Best Answer

Related Solutions

MATLAB: How to kill a system process which is frozen

MATLAB: How to redirect standard input and standard output using .Net System.Dia​gnostics.P​rocess

Related Question

MATLAB: How to redirect standard input and standard output using .Net System.Diagnostics.Process