pathdef.m is not run at startup?

I have a pathdef.m file that I've placed in C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2019b\bin. After starting MATLAB, I enter 'cd' and it outputs C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2019b\bin. But when I click Set Path to see my path, it's obvious that the pathdef.m file has not been run since there are paths missing. How can I tell it to run at startup? Also, is there a command line argument to to specify the pathdef.m file to use, which may work better?

Answer 1

[Jan]

Do not store anything in Matlab's bin folder.

If you click "Set Path", Matlab loads the first pathdef.m file, which is found in Matlab's PATH. The bin folder does not belong to the path.

Leave pathdef.m where it is or add it to your user folder. If you are working on a single user machine, adjusting pathdef.m inside <matlabroot>\tools\local works, if you give write access for this (and only this) folder to your account. On a multi user system, it is saver not to touch pathdef.m but to use e.g. startup.m to add folders.

[Troy McClure]

If I clicked Set Path, the very 1st path listed is My Documents\MATLAB. So based on your response here, I've moved pathdef.m from the bin folder to My Documents\MATLAB. After restarting MATLAB, I click Set Path and the paths from my file still haven't been configured.

[Jan]

"My Documents\MATLAB" might be the first folder, after pathdef.m ran.

You can determine the startup folder in the preferences. Choose the folder, which conatins your pathdef file.

See also: https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/102037-how-can-i-move-the-pathdef-m-file-from-its-default-location-to-another-location-in-matlab-8-1-r20

[Troy McClure]

Changing the initial working folder in preferences didn't seem to work, but the startup script in your link did. Thanks.