16 Packaging GUIs as Apps
In addition when others install your app:- It is a one-click installation.
- Users do not need to manage the MATLAB search path or other installation details.
- Your app appears alongside MATLAB toolbox apps in the apps gallery.
Best Practices and Requirements for Creating an App
Best practices:- Write the app as an interactive application with a user interface written in the
MATLAB language. - All interaction with the app is through the user interface.
- Make the app reusable. Do not make it necessary for a user restart the app to use
different data or inputs with it. - Ensure the main function returns the handle of the main figure. (The main function
created by GUIDE returns the figure handle by default.)
Although not a requirement, doing so enables MATLAB to remove the app files from
the search path when users exit the app.- If you want to share your app on MATLAB File Exchange, you must release it under a
BSD license. In addition, there are restrictions on the use of binary files such as MEX-
files, p-coded files, or DLLs.
Requirements:- The main file must be a function (not a script).
- Because you invoke apps by clicking an icon in the apps gallery, the main function
cannot have input arguments. (It can, however, take optional arguments.)