Matlab package import like Python

Matlab users can share code projects as toolboxes and/or packages. Matlab packages work for Matlab ≥ R2008a as well as GNU Octave. Matlab toolboxes work for Matlab ≥ R2016a and not GNU Octave. The packages format brings benefits to toolboxes as well.

Matlab namespaces: a key issue with Matlab vs. Python arise from that Matlab users often add many paths for their project. If any function names clash, there can be unexpected behavior as it’s not immediately clear which function is being used without further investigation of path ordering. As in Python and other languages, there is considerable benefit for using a package format where the function names are specified in their namespace.

addpath example: Matlab package format. Suppose project directory structure:

myproj
  utils
    mem1.m
  conversion
    deg1.m
  sys
    disk1.m

To use these functions, the end users do:

addpath(genpath('myproj'))

This is where the namespace can have clashes, and with large projects it’s not clear where a function is without further introspection.

package example: make this project a Matlab / Octave package by changing the subdirectories containing .m files to start with a “+” plus symbol:

myproj
  +utils
    mem1.m
  +conversion
    deg1.m
  +sys
    disk1.m

The end users simply:

addpath('myproj')

access specific functions like:

myproj.utils.mem1(arg1)

Then multiple subdirectories can have the same function name without clashing in the Matlab namespace. Suppose the function “mem1” is used frequently in another function. To avoid typing the fully resolved function name each time, use the import statement:

function myfunc()

import myproj.utils.mem1

mem1(arg1)

mem1(arg2)

Private functions: Matlab packages can have private functions that are only accessible from functions in that level of the namespace. Continuing the example from above, if we added function:

myproj
  +utils
    private
      mysecret.m

then only functions under +utils/ can see and use mysecret.m function. mysecret() is used directly, without import since it’s only visible to functions at that directory level.

Matlab .mltbx toolboxes became available in R2016a. The Matlab-proprietary toolbox format also allows end users to create their own packages containing code, examples and even graphical Apps. In effect .mltbx provides metadata and adds the package to the bottom of Matlab path upon installation. The installation directory is under (system specific)/MathWorks/MATLAB Add-Ons/Toolboxes/packageName. Whether or not the project uses .mltbx, the namespace of the project is kept cleaner by using a Matlab package layout.