Standalone GUI application crashes with error and GUI python package closes immediately, does not stay open

I created a standalone executable version of a GUI but it opens the GUI for an instance and crashes with "not enough input arguments" error, when run from a folder that does not contain the related GUI .m/.fig files, for e.g. while running directly from the desktop. The line of error is from the main GUI m-file shown below. The application runs as expected when run from the folder containing all the accompanying files.

gui_mainfcn(gui_State, varargin{:});

I was also trying to create a python package of the same GUI, but a similar experience with the GUI not staying open. Simply shows the GUI instantaneously but closes immediately with no particular error message.

Answer 1

[Harsh]

It appears that the GUI was made using App Designer / Guide and relies on dependent files being present in the current directory. Note that a compiled application behaves more consistently if it avoids accessing or changing the current directory. A more reliable way is to base all file locations on a known root i.e. ctfroot for deployed applications. For example:

load('c:/Work/MATLAB/data.mat')% creates dependency on file structure
% Instead use
[pathstr,name]=fileparts(which('data.mat'));
load(name);

Detailed examples on managing path for deployed applications can be found here: https://blogs.mathworks.com/loren/2008/08/11/path-management-in-deployed-applications/

To further narrow down the exact point of error, on a Windows Machine before compiling, Under Additional runtime settings -> uncheck "Do not display the Windows Command Shell' and check 'Create log file'.

The Python error is also likely connected to the path issues of the standalone application.

[jchaliss]

Thanks Harsh! The standalone application problem was indeed related to the usage of path and trying to load/save mat files to a certain path. Also, the log file option helped narrow down the error.

For the python, the problem still remains. I'm trying to build a python lib of the same GUI so that it can be used cross platform and so that thinking I need not build the same app on a Linux system. Is path handling different for python libs? Is there a way to generate a error report like the standalone exe for the python version as well?