Calling Python 3rd party packages from Matlab

Is it possible to use 3rd party python packages/subpackages from within Matlab? (as opposed to 3rd party modules)

I have a package ("mypackage") for python2.7. I installed it in a conda environment (using conda 4.9.2) and have verified I can run its modules from a Python console. The package has two subpackages: "modelA" and "modelB". Each subpackage holds a module named "run" that holds various commands for the relevant model.

I would like to be able call the two different "run" modules from within a Matlab script (Matlab 2020b). The ideal would be something like:

py.mypackage.modelA.run.foo(inputs)

and

py.mypackage.modelB.run.bar(different_inputs)

I've added "mypackage" to both the Python and Matlab search paths, and have tried moving the working directory to the folder holding "mypackage", but I always get the error: "Unable to resolve the name py.mypackage.modelA.run.foo".

I have been able to run a module successfully by moving the working directory to "...\mypackage\modelA", and then calling

py.run.foo(inputs)

However, if I then try moving to "...mypackage\modelB" and calling

py.run.bar(different_inputs)

I get another "Unable to resolve the name" error. My best guess is that the Python search path is still pointing to the "run" module for modelA, as I am still able to call py.run.foo. If this is the case, is it possible to remove a module from the Python search path in order to toggle between modules?

Answer 1

[Varun Sai Alaparthi]

Hello Jonathan,

I understand that you are facing issue with calling modules in 3rd party python packages from MATLAB.

Yes, it is possible to use 3 rd party python packages from MATLAB.

Try executing these commands in the MATLAB command window before executing your code.

% Terminate the existing python environment. 
terminate(pyenv) 

% Set the Execution Mode to OutOfProcess. 
pe = pyenv('ExecutionMode','OutOfProcess'); 

py.importlib.import_module('mypackage');

This should solve the error : “Unable to resolve the name py.mypackage.modelA.run.foo”.

Please feel free to reach out in case the error persists.

Sincerely

Varun