Cannot build MATLAB Engine for Python

[ghost]

I do not know what I am doing at this point, but here is my YML:
https://github.com/apommel/vscode-matlab-interactive-terminal/blob/84219db/.github/workflows/ci.yml

It appears I am trying to "build a wheel from code stored in a mounted storage account".
I'd be making a temp directory, copy things over and that would get the build working:
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/63243930/

Maybe there needs to be an action for building MATLAB Engine for Python that handles the VM issue?

[acampbel]

hi there, thanks for trying these actions. You may be able to build the engine by building and installing in non-default locations.

However, even if you can build and install it you may run into licensing issue similar to this issue when you try to run the engine. Do you find yourself in the same situation?

[mcafaro]

You can workaround this issue by specifying the --build-base option as shown:

    - name: Install MATLAB Engine for Python
      run: |
        cd /usr/local/MATLAB/R2021a/extern/engines/python
        python setup.py build --build-base=$(mktemp -d) install --user

Note that you will not be able to call matlab.engine.start_matlab() however (it will fail with a licensing error) as our cloud based licensing currently occurs upon MATLAB startup and the MATLAB engine for Python does not yet support this licensing scheme.

[ghost]

Argh crap. Any hope of creating a license secret and supporting it in MATLAB?
Something for R2021b perhaps?

[ghost]

I submitted a service request (05045850) and I hope this ships with R2021b or R2022a

[mcafaro]

Thanks. We're discussing how we might support this use-case. I'll post on here with any updates.

[ghost]

Did R2022a fix this? 🤔

[mcafaro]

Hi @sndst00m,

A fix for this won't necessarily be tied to a release. We need to figure out a licensing approach that can support this workflow first. That may take some time if we can get it approved.

In the meantime, using a self-hosted runner where you have pre-installed and licensed MATLAB is a potential workaround.

Best,
Mark

[zaikunzhang]

Hi @mcafaro ,

Is MATLAB Engine for Python available now if I use GitHub-hosted runners?

Thank you.

Zaikun

[mcafaro]

Hi @zaikunzhang,

MATLAB Engine for Python is available but starting MATLAB from Python is not supported with our automatic licensing approach for public repositories. Using a self-hosted runner with a pre-installed and licensed version of MATLAB is still the best workaround available.

-Mark

[skjerns]

@mcafaro is it possible to request a batch token for this use case?

Any workaround for calling MATLAB from python via GitHub Actions? I tried starting a MATLAB instance before calling the Python code, but no avail.

[mcafaro]

Hi @skjerns,

Using a self-hosted runner that has a traditionally licensed MATLAB is still the best workaround available. A batch token cannot be used to run a MATLAB Engine.

-Mark