Open .m files in current MATLAB instance from Windows Powershell

I am trying to open matlab files via matlab file.m from Windows PowerShell, so that I can proceed to edit them in MATLAB. However, when I run that, it starts a new instance of MATLAB.

What changes should I make in my computer/shell so that the above command opens the .m file in the existing MATLAB instance?

Ideally, I would like the changes to be permanent, and not have to write additional commands or flags every time I start a new instance of the PowerShell and wish to open an .m file.

Before upgrading to 2019a, I was used to just running matlab C:/Users/username/Documents/script_to_edit.m on PowerShell, and it would open in the instance of MATLAB that I had already open. Now, when I do that, it opens a new instance of MATLAB instead. I suppose it has to do with paths and/or aliases that were removed during the upgrade.

Answer 1

[Ive J]

Try this

function addME(a, b)
    fprintf("sum a + b equals %.2g\n", a + b)
end

Then from powershell (assuming your PS instance is within pwd):

matlab -batch "addME(3, 5)"

[Mitsu]

I think my question was not clear enough, I tried to improve it.

My goal is to open a file with MATLAB and proceed to edit it within MATLAB. Before upgrading to 2019a, I was used to just running matlab C:/Users/username/Documents/script_to_edit.m on PowerShell, and it would open in the instance of MATLAB that I had already open.

Now, when I do that, it opens a new instance of MATLAB instead. I suppose it has to do with paths and/or aliases that were removed during the upgrade.

[Ive J]

I see. AFAIK, that's not possible any more:

https://mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/521753-open-matlab-editor-while-running-from-command-line#answer_690165

https://mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/65806-how-to-execute-an-m-file-from-the-command-line-in-windows-without-opening-a-new-matlab-copy#comment_842052

[Mitsu]

Sorry, I failed to clarify it better.

I do not want to run a script from the terminal; I do not want to do anything on the terminal other than opening the file with the MATLAB editor.

Usually:

1. I am editing code using MATLAB's GUI
2. I need to make changes to some other file but don't know its location; I use grep, find, etc to find the file on the promp
3. I typed matlab example_file.m
4. The file is opened in the existing instance of MATLAB, and I edit it

This is different from the two questions in the links.

Additionally, I was able to do this when I was using MATLAB 2018b (more recent than the versions discussed in the links) . When upgrading to R2019a, the removal of preferences might have disabled this.