How to direct MATLAB's mex setup to the Microsoft Windows SDK for C++ compiling? (error in setting location) - c++

Question

I am on Windows Vista, and want to use MATLAB to compile C++ functions. I had only the lcc compiler on the system, as can be seen when running mex -setup :
mex -setup
Welcome to mex -setup. This utility will help you set up
a default compiler. For a list of supported compilers, see
http://www.mathworks.com/support/compilers/R2011a/win32.html
Please choose your compiler for building MEX-files:
Would you like mex to locate installed compilers [y]/n? y
Select a compiler:
[1] Lcc-win32 C 2.4.1 in C:\PROGRA~1\MATLAB\R2011a\sys\lcc
[0] None
Compiler:
since lcc does not work for C++ I installed the Windows SDK 7.1 from here(windows site). I ran the Windows SDK 7.1 Command Prompt to see the directory it is installed to and see C:\Program Files\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v7.1. I then run mex -setup again to set the compiler to Microsoft Visual C++ 2010, by telling mex to not locate the installed compilers, I choose the Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 option and then the path MATLAB looks at by default is one for Visual Studio; C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0. I try to override it, but there it does not work. Here is the exact actions taken:
>> mex -setup
Welcome to mex -setup. This utility will help you set up
a default compiler. For a list of supported compilers, see
http://www.mathworks.com/support/compilers/R2011a/win32.html
Please choose your compiler for building MEX-files:
Would you like mex to locate installed compilers [y]/n? n
Select a compiler:
[1] Intel C++ 11.1 (with Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 linker)
[2] Intel Visual Fortran 11.1 (with Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 linker)
[3] Intel Visual Fortran 11.1 (with Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Shell linker)
[4] Lcc-win32 C 2.4.1
[5] Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0
[6] Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 SP1
[7] Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1
[8] Microsoft Visual C++ 2010
[9] Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Express
[10] Open WATCOM C++
[0] None
Compiler: 8
Warning: The default location for Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 compiler is:
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0"
but either that directory does not exist or the configuration
is invalid.
Use C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0 anyway [y]/n? n
Please enter the location of your compiler: [C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0]
C:\Program Files\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v7.1
Please verify your choices:
Compiler: Microsoft Visual C++ 2010
Location: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0
Are these correct [y]/n?
*****************************************************************************
Error: Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 requires the Microsoft Windows Software
Development Kit (SDK), but the SDK cannot be found. Examine your
Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 installation.
*****************************************************************************
??? Error using ==> mex at 208
Unable to complete successfully.
I do not know whether the directory should be different from C:\Program Files\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v7.1, and if there is a way to identify this directory. I also do not know if the way that I give the directory is correct. I tried using single quotes around the directory name and the only variation is the that it stops to ask me whether the directory to visual studio is correct or not, I answer n and only this is given.
Compiler: Microsoft Visual C++ 2010
Location: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0
Are these correct [y]/n? n
mex: No compiler selected. No action taken.
How can I add the compiler to MATLAB to be able to run mex on C++ funcitons/files?

Answer 1

If you are after the quick and easy approach (and do not use 64-bit matlab) I would suggest you download a free copy of Visual Studio 2010 C++ express and use that. That way mex -setup will detect it.