MEX: How to modify xml file for unsupported compiler?

Context:

I download the intel oneAPI C++ compiler.

The C compiler is not supported by Matlab R2020b and I try to design the xml file that can detect this compiler.

Disclaim

I know next to nothing about xml file and how it's use by MATLAB mex

First attempt

I copy the stock file intel_c_20_vs2019.xml from bin\win64\mexopts folder to intel_c_21_vs2019.xml and modify it, and

>> mex -setup:intel_c_21_vs2019.xml C++
Error using mex
MEX cannot use compiler 'Intel Parallel Studio XE 2021 with Microsoft Visual Studio 2019 (C)' because that compiler is not found.

Take a closer look at the xml file, I see it use the parameter $CROOT to design where the path in several places. But I cannot see where it is defined.

My question is can I define it (in the xml file)?and How?

Answer 1

[sjhstone]

Hello, if you just want to modify how $CROOT variable is captured, please search for <locationFinder> in your XML config file, and you may immediately see it is written as something like this

<and>
    <or>
        <envVarExists name="ICPP_COMPILER20" />
    </or>
    <fileExists name="$$/Bin/intel64/icl.exe" />
    <dirExists name="$$/../.." />
</and>

Now according to this XML, and my installation of OneAPI is placing icl.exe to %ONEAPI_ROOT%\compiler\2021.1.1\windows\bin\intel64\

First, we make a copy of the file to something that looks right, say intel_one_classical_c_vs2019.xml.

Then, change Name and ShortName fields to avoid colliison.

Finally, just modify the ICPP_COMPILER20 to INTELONEAPI_CLASSIC_ICC (or any name you like without overriding existing environment variable) and modify

<fileExists name="$$/Bin/intel64/icl.exe" />

into

<fileExists name="$$/bin/intel64/icl.exe" />

because the path is case-sensitive. Now, XML works have been done. Then let's go to matlab command prompt,

cd(fullfile(matlabroot,'bin','win64','mexopts'));
% in case system-level environment variable has not been populated to
% MATLAB, you can manually specify the value of environment variable
setenv('INTELONEAPI_CLASSIC_ICC', '{oneAPI_Installation}\compiler\2021.1.1\windows\bin\intel64\');
mex -setup:intel_one_classical_c_vs2019.xml -v c

The -v flag helps you to detect problem in a more detailed way.

If your MEX function needs math.h or some libraries, you may have to further modify the last few lines in <env> tag so library files can be properly found.

If you also want to do this for C++ MEX, just do something similar.

[Bruno Luong]

Great, it works well excepted that I have to replace {oneAPI_Installation} with a hardcode path.

Thanks.

[Jason Nicholson]

Very helpful. I used this to get Intel Fortran 2021.2.0 with Visual Studio 2017 working. Thank you so much!

[Michal]

Thanks, very helpful!

I hope that next version R2021b will be compatible with oneAPI compilers.