MATLAB: Linking MATLAB and C++

Question

What's the difference between using the MATLAB engine and MEX Functions in order to link MATLAB and C++?

Thanks!

Answer 1

They work in different directions:

MEX is to call C++ code from the MATLAB environment.

http://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/programming-interfaces-for-c-c-fortran-com.html

MATLAB Engine is to call MATLAB functionality from the C++ code using the engine API.

http://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/matlab_external/using-matlab-engine.html#f26499