How can I use a DLL with Matlab when I cannot install a C compiler?

Often, you use DLL's to control some hardware, e.g. FTDI's USB interfaces. The DLL's that come with such devices typically do not need a compiler to be installed somewhere, and I don't want to install a C compiler just to interface to a miscellanous piece of hardware. (By the way, it's easy enough to make a DLL that does not need a compiler's distribution package.) How do you interface to such a DLL without having to install a complete computer package? I've tried with 'mex -setup', but I don't seem to get things running this way without a compiler.

Answer 1

[Philip Borghesani]

If you use the "mfilename" option to loadlibrary on the first computer to produce a prototype file (and thunk file if using 64 bit MATLAB) then use those on the second computer a compiler will not be needed.

Answer 2

[Andreas Goser]

mex -setup needs a C compiler as this is actually the command for setting up one.

Why do you think you need one?

And in case you really need one: Why can't you install one? There are free ones supported.

[Eric]

I don't need a compiler, I just want to use a DLL (on a colleague's computer). But to use a DLL, you must load it using 'loadlibrary', which refuses to load unless you first select a C compiler using 'mex'. I strongly sympathise with Matlab's idea of selecting a C compiler, because it avoids the well known problem of 'DLL hell'. But if you have a DLL that does not refer to e.g. a runtime DLL, having to install a compiler is a nuisance.