Why am I unable to use symbolic toolbox in MATLAB 2008b when using MATLAB 2013b license?

A few days ago, I've still been using MATLAB R2010a and R2008b without any problems. The symbolic toolbox is available in 2008 (Version 5.1) but not in 2010. So what I do is I open MATLAB 2008 from within 2010 to perform any calculations where I need the symbolic toolbox, save the results, go back to 2010 and load the results into my workspace:

!"<path to matlab 2008>/matlab.exe" -nosplash -nojvm -r -wait "<some commands here...including a script where I use the symbolic toolbox>; quit"

I recently migrated to MATLAB 2013b (License number: 9175**) and tried to do the same thing when I required the symbolic toolbox. However, it knows that the toolbox is on the MATLAB path but I am unable to use it! In other words, when I type the following in the command line:

help sym

Then I get the following output: (Rest follows after ...)

>> help sym
 SYM    Construct symbolic numbers, variables and objects.
    S = SYM(A) constructs an object S, of class 'sym', from A.
    If the input argument is a string, the result is a symbolic number
    or variable.  If the input argument is a numeric scalar or matrix,
    the result is a symbolic representation of the given numeric values.
    If the input is a function handle the result is the symbolic form
    of the body of the function handle.

    ...

But when I try to create the following symbolic variable:

x = sym('x')

Then it gives me the following error message:

>> x = sym('x')
??? Undefined function or method 'sym' for input arguments of type 'char'.

Answer 1

[Image Analyst]

"I recently migrated to MATLAB 2013b" <- that was your mistake. You should have recently migrated to R2014b with the current toolboxes you need. All the toolboxes are specifically matched to the version of base MATLAB that matches their year. You cannot have a release from one year access a toolbox from a different year even if it is on the path. Get the R2014b MATLAB and you'll get the R2014b Symbolic toolbox and you should be okay.

I'm not sure what toolboxes you are/were using, but there is no (longer any) toolbox called "Symbolic Toolbox." There is one called "Symbolic Math Toolbox" - perhaps that will be close enough to what you were using. The products list above also shows a "Extended Symbolic Math Toolbox" but I didn't see it on the official R2014b products list so perhaps that was discontinued.

[Evert Trollip]

Ok, yes I guess that was my fault trying to access a toolbox from a different year expecting that it would work.

I am working in a research lab and they recently did purchase the R2014b with a license. However, it also does not have the "Symbolic Math Toolbox" and will have to be purchased as an add-on product.

Thank you! I shall discuss this with my co-worker and see if we can purchase the symbolic math toolbox.