Can you import matlab in python?

Use the MATLAB® Engine API for Python® to call any MATLAB function on the MATLAB path.

If the MATLAB function is not on the path, you can call it from the current folder. For example, to call MATLAB function myFnc in folder myFolder, type:

import matlab.engine
eng = matlab.engine.start_matlab()
eng.cd(r'myFolder', nargout=0)
eng.myFnc()

Return Output Argument from MATLAB Function

You can call any MATLAB function directly and return the results to Python. For example, to determine if a number is prime, use the engine to call the isprime function.

import matlab.engine
eng = matlab.engine.start_matlab()
tf = eng.isprime(37)
print(tf)

Return Multiple Output Arguments from MATLAB Function

When you call a function with the engine, by default the engine returns a single output argument. If you know that the function can return multiple arguments, use the nargout argument to specify the number of output arguments.

To determine the greatest common denominator of two numbers, use the gcd function. Set nargout to return the three output arguments from gcd.

import matlab.engine
eng = matlab.engine.start_matlab()
t = eng.gcd(100.0,80.0,nargout=3)
print(t)

Return No Output Arguments from MATLAB Function

Some MATLAB functions return no output arguments. If the function returns no arguments, set nargout to 0.

Open the MATLAB Help browser from Python.

import matlab.engine
eng = matlab.engine.start_matlab()
eng.doc(nargout=0)

The MATLAB doc function opens the browser, but does not return output arguments. If you do not specify nargout=0, the engine raises an error.

Stop Execution of Function

To stop execution of a MATLAB function press Ctrl+C. Control returns to Python.

Use Function Names for MATLAB Operators

You can use a MATLAB operator in Python by calling the equivalent function. For a list of operators and associated function names, see MATLAB Operators and Associated Functions. For example, to add two numbers, use the plus function instead of the + operator.

import matlab.engine
eng = matlab.engine.start_matlab()
a = 2
b = 3
eng.plus(a,b) 

See Also

matlab.engine.MatlabEngine | matlab.engine.FutureResult

  • Call MATLAB Functions Asynchronously from Python
  • Call User Scripts and Functions from Python
  • Use MATLAB Arrays in Python
  • Sort and Plot MATLAB Data from Python

Main Content

Write Python® programs that work with MATLAB®

Functions

expand all

Python Functions

MATLAB Functions

Topics

Installing

  • System Requirements for MATLAB Engine API for Python
    What you need to write and build MATLAB engine applications for Python.
  • Install MATLAB Engine API for Python

    To start MATLAB engine within a Python session, install the engine API as a Python package.

    • Python Setup Script to Install MATLAB Engine API
    • Install MATLAB Engine API for Python in Nondefault Locations

Getting Started

  • Get Started with MATLAB Engine API for Python
    The MATLAB Engine API for Python provides a Python package named matlab that enables you to call MATLAB functions from Python.
  • Start and Stop MATLAB Engine for Python
    Options for starting the MATLAB Engine for Python.
  • Call MATLAB Functions from Python
    How to return an output argument from a MATLAB function. How to read multiple outputs from a function. What to do when the MATLAB function does not return an output argument.
  • Get Help for MATLAB Functions from Python
    From Python, you can access supporting documentation for all MATLAB functions.

Data Exchange and Mapping

  • Use MATLAB Arrays in Python
    This example shows how to create a MATLAB array in Python and pass it as the input argument to the MATLAB sqrt function.
  • MATLAB Arrays as Python Variables
    The matlab Python module provides array classes to represent arrays of MATLAB numeric types as Python variables so that MATLAB arrays can be passed between Python and MATLAB.
  • Pass Data to MATLAB from Python
    When you pass Python data as input arguments to MATLAB functions, the MATLAB Engine for Python converts the data into equivalent MATLAB data types.
  • Handle Data Returned from MATLAB to Python
    When MATLAB functions return output arguments, the MATLAB Engine API for Python converts the data into equivalent Python data types.
  • Use MATLAB Handle Objects in Python
    This example shows how to create an object from a MATLAB handle class and call its methods in Python.
  • Default Numeric Types in MATLAB and Python
    MATLAB stores all numeric values as double-precision floating point numbers by default.

Calling MATLAB Functions

  • Call User Scripts and Functions from Python
    This example shows how to call a MATLAB script to compute the area of a triangle from Python.
  • Sort and Plot MATLAB Data from Python
    This example shows how to sort data about patients into lists of smokers and nonsmokers in Python and plot blood pressure readings for the patients with MATLAB.
  • Call MATLAB Functions Asynchronously from Python
    This example shows how to call the MATLAB sqrt function asynchronously from Python and retrieve the square root later.
  • Redirect Standard Output and Error to Python
    This example shows how to redirect standard output and standard error from a MATLAB function to Python StringIO objects.

Troubleshooting

Can you import MATLAB into Python?

You can install the MATLAB Engine API for Python using the pip command or a Python setup script setup.py .

Can we use MATLAB functions in Python?

You can use a MATLAB operator in Python by calling the equivalent function. For a list of operators and associated function names, see MATLAB Operators and Associated Functions. For example, to add two numbers, use the plus function instead of the + operator.

Can you export MATLAB to Python?

To convert Matlab to python, we have two options, either do it manually or take the help of some tool. To convert Matlab to python, a tool named SMOP (Small Matlab and Octave to Python Compiler) is used. This tool is capable of understanding basic Matlab code and then parsing it to python.

How do I connect MATLAB to Python?

Connect Python to Running MATLAB Session.
matlab.engine.shareEngine. Start Python at the operating system prompt. To connect to the shared MATLAB session, call matlab. engine. ... .
2.0. You can connect to a shared session by name. To find the name of a shared session, call matlab. engine. ... .
('MATLAB_13232',) matlab. engine..