Consolidate workspace memory
pack
pack filename
pack('filename')
pack frees up needed space
by reorganizing information so that it only uses the minimum memory
required. All variables from your base and global workspaces that
are less than 2GB are preserved. Any persistent variables that are
defined at the time are set to their default value (the empty matrix, []).
Caution
The pack function is unable to preserve
variables larger than 2GB. It clears them from your workspace.
Do not use the pack function with
objects that define events and listeners. The pack function
causes the destructor of any listeners defined for the objects in
the workspace. For information on restoring listeners when saving
objects, see Restore Listeners.
The MATLAB® software temporarily stores your workspace data
in a file called tp######.mat (where ###### is
a numeric value) that is located in your temporary folder. (You can
use the command dir(tempdir) to see the files in
this folder).
pack filename frees space
in memory, temporarily storing workspace data in a file specified
by filename. This file resides in your current
working folder and, unless specified otherwise, has a .mat file
extension.
pack('filename') is the
function form of pack.
Change the current folder to one that is writable, run pack, and
return to the previous folder.
cwd = pwd; cd(tempdir); pack cd(cwd)
You can only run pack from the MATLAB command
line.
If you specify a filename argument, that
file must reside in a folder for which you have write permission.
The pack function does not affect the amount of memory allocated to the
MATLAB process. You must quit MATLAB to free up this memory.
Since MATLAB uses a heap method of memory management, extended MATLAB sessions may cause memory to become fragmented. When memory is fragmented, there may be plenty of free space, but not enough contiguous memory to store a new large variable.
If you get the Out of memory message from MATLAB,
the pack function may find you some free memory
without forcing you to delete variables.
The pack function frees space by
Saving all variables in the base and global workspaces to a temporary file.
Clearing all variables and functions from memory.
Reloading the base and global workspace variables back from the temporary file and then deleting the file.
If you use pack and there is still not enough free memory to proceed, you
must clear some variables. If you run out of memory often, you can allocate larger
matrices earlier in the MATLAB session and use these system-specific tips.
When running MATLAB on The Open Group UNIX® platforms, ask your system manager to increase your swap space.
On Microsoft® Windows® platforms, increase virtual memory using the Windows Control Panel.
To maintain persistent variables when you run pack, use mlock in the function.