For a variety of reasons, the MATLAB®-Java interface was never fully documented. This is really quite unfortunate: Java is one of the most widely used programming languages, having many times the number of programmers and programming resources as MATLAB. Also unfortunate is the popular claim that while MATLAB is a fine programming platform for prototyping, it is not suitable for real-world, modern-looking applications. Undocumented Secrets of MATLAB®-Java Programming aims to correct this misconception.
This book shows how using Java can significantly improve MATLAB program appearance and functionality, and that this can be done easily and even without any prior Java knowledge.
Readers are led step-by-step from simple to complex customizations. Code snippets, screenshots, and numerous online references are provided to enable the utilization of this book as both a sequential tutorial and as a random-access reference suited for immediate use. Java-savvy readers will find it easy to tailor code samples for their particular needs; for Java newcomers, an introduction to Java and numerous online references are provided.
This book demonstrates how
- The MATLAB programming environment relies on Java for numerous tasks, including networking, data-processing algorithms and graphical user-interface (GUI)
- We can use MATLAB for easy access to external Java functionality, either third-party or user-created
- Using Java, we can extensively customize the MATLAB environment and application GUI, enabling the creation of visually appealing and usable applications
Introduction to Java in MATLAB®
Creating Java Objects
Java Object Properties
Java Object Methods and Actions
Java Events and MATLAB Callbacks
Safe Java Programming in MATLAB — A How-To Guide
Compiling and Debugging User-Created Java Classes in MATLAB
Compatibility Issues
Java Versions in MATLAB
Java.opts
References
Using Non-GUI Java Libraries in MATLAB®
Complex Data Structures
Database Connectivity
Miscellaneous Other Uses
A Short Pause for Reflection
References
Rich GUI Using Java Swing
Adding Java Swing Components to MATLAB Figures
MATLAB’s Main Thread and the Event Dispatch Thread (EDT)
Customizing Java Components
Component Callbacks
Using Third-Party Libraries in MATLAB
System-Tray Icons
Drag-and-Drop
Adding MATLAB Components to Java Swing Containers
Alternatives to Swing
References
Uitools
Uitable
Uitree
Uitab
Uiundo
Toolbars
Menus
Status Bar
References
Built-in MATLAB ® Widgets and Java Classes
Internal MATLAB Java Packages
MWSwing Package
MWT Package
MLWidgets Package
Widgets Package
MLServices Package
JIDE
Miscellaneous Other Internal Classes
References
Customizing MATLAB® Controls
PushButton
ToggleButton
RadioButton
Checkbox
Editbox
Listbox
Popup Menu (aka Drop-Down, Combo-Box)
Slider
Text Label
Frame
Uipanel
Tooltips
References
The Java Frame
Java Frame Properties and Methods
FindJObj and the Java Frame Components Hierarchy
Important Java Frame Containers
BeanAdapters
References
The MATLAB® Desktop
Desktop Functionality and Layout
System Preferences
Command Window
Editor
Keyboard Bindings
Workspace
Other Desktop Tools
References
Using MATLAB® from within Java
Approaches for Java Control of MATLAB
JMI — Java-to- MATLAB Interface
JMI Wrapper — Local MatlabControl
JMI Wrapper — Remote MatlabControl
Using JNI to Connect Java and MATLAB
References
Putting it All Together
UISplitPane
Integration Debriefing System
Concluding Exercise: UIMultiListbox
References
Appendix A: What is Java?
Appendix B: UDD
Appendix C: Open Questions
Index
Biography
Yair Altman, author of the extremely popular UndocumentedMatlab.com website, is well respected in the MATLAB community as the de-facto guru on undocumented MATLAB features and the MATLAB-Java interface in particular.
Yair holds a BSc in Physics and an MSc in Computer Science, has over 20 years of programming experience at various levels of responsibility, and currently consults for several software development projects.