Although MATLAB® source code (.m) is executable by itself, the contents
of MATLAB source files are easily accessed, revealing design and implementation
details. If you do not want to distribute your proprietary application code in this
format, you can use one of these options instead:
Deploy as P-code
— Convert some or all of your source code files to a content-obscured
form called a P-code file (from its .p
file extension), and distribute your application code in this format. When
MATLAB P-codes a file, the file is obfuscated not
encrypted. While the content in a .p
file is difficult to understand, it should not be considered secure. It is not
recommended that you P-code files to protect your intellectual property.
MATLAB does not support converting live scripts or live functions to P-code files.
Compile into binary format — Compile your source code files using the MATLAB Compiler to produce a standalone application. Distribute the latter to end users of your application.
A P-code file behaves the same as the MATLAB source from which it was produced. The P-code file also runs at the
same speed as the source file. P-code files are purposely obfuscated. They are not
encrypted. While the content in a .p file is difficult to
understand, it should not be considered secure. It is not recommended that you
P-code files to protect your intellectual property.
Note
Because users of P-code files cannot view the MATLAB code, consider providing diagnostics to enable a user to proceed in the event of an error.
To generate a P-code file, enter the following command in the MATLAB Command Window:
pcode file1 file2, ...
The command produces the files, file1.p,
file2.p, and so on. To convert all
.m source files residing in your current folder to P-code
files, use the command:
pcode *.m
See the pcode function reference page
for a description of all syntaxes for generating P-code files.
You invoke the resulting P-code file in the same way you invoke the
MATLAB
.m source file from which it was derived. For example, to
invoke file myfun.p, type
[out, out2, ...] = myfun(in1, in2, ...);
To invoke script myscript.p, type
myscript;
When you call a P-code file, MATLAB gives it execution precedence over its corresponding
.m source file. This is true even if you happen to change
the source code at some point after generating the P-code file. Remember to
remove the .m source file before distributing your
code.
P-code files are designed to be independent of the release under which they were created and the release in which they are used (backward and forward compatibility). New and deprecated MATLAB features can be a problem, but it is the same problem that would exist if you used the original MATLAB input file. To fix errors of this kind in a P-code file, fix the corresponding MATLAB input file and create a new P-code file.
P-code files built using MATLAB Version 7.4 and earlier have a different format than those built with more recent versions of MATLAB. These older P-code files do not run in MATLAB 8.6 (R2015b) or later. Rebuild any P-code files that were built with MATLAB 7.4 or earlier using a more recent version of MATLAB, and then redistribute them as necessary.
Another way to protect your source code is to build it into a standalone executable and distribute the executable, along with any other necessary files, to external customers. You must have the MATLAB Compiler™ and a supported C or C++ compiler installed to prepare files for deployment. The end user, however, does not need MATLAB.
To build a standalone application for your MATLAB application, develop and debug your application following the usual procedure for MATLAB program files. Then, generate the executable file or files following the instructions in Create Standalone Application from MATLAB (MATLAB Compiler).