A MEX file is a type of
computer file
A computer file is a computer resource for recording data in a computer storage device, primarily identified by its file name. Just as words can be written to paper, so can data be written to a computer file. Files can be shared with and trans ...
that provides an interface between
MATLAB
MATLAB (an abbreviation of "MATrix LABoratory") is a proprietary multi-paradigm programming language and numeric computing environment developed by MathWorks. MATLAB allows matrix manipulations, plotting of functions and data, implementa ...
or
Octave
In music, an octave ( la, octavus: eighth) or perfect octave (sometimes called the diapason) is the interval between one musical pitch and another with double its frequency. The octave relationship is a natural phenomenon that has been refer ...
and functions written in
C,
C++ or
Fortran. It stands for "MATLAB executable".
When compiled, MEX files are dynamically loaded and allow external functions to be invoked from within MATLAB or Octave as if they were built-in functions.
To support the development of MEX files, both MATLAB and Octave offer external interface functions that facilitate the transfer of data between MEX files and the workspace. In addition to MEX files, Octave has its own format using its own native
API, with better performance.
References
External links
MEX-files guide from MathWorks
Data analysis software
Numerical programming languages
Cross-platform software
Filename extensions
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