Matlab 2007b (linux version) on FreeBSD

[coppermine]

Hi!

For some time I am trying to install the Matlab 2007b linux version on FreeBSD. Unfortunately, the steps in Handbook are not working and even not applicable because of differences between versions.
As far I see the problem, the installation shell script don't want to be run. It is complaining about some errors in a script. I will soon post more detailed error messages, but I just want to know - may be somebody has positive experience by doing this?

P.S. In fact, this is a main reason why I am still sticked to Vista . I would switch, but the need for MATLAB is strong.

[coppermine]

So, after some trials and errors... I didn't get the installation script working! The shell is complaining about usage of -ne operator usage in if statement. I am novice in script debugging and that script is by far not simple. Anyway, I will give more tries, because the working Matlab on FreeBSD will be a strong motivation to switch.
Oh, and the next time I will dual-boot to FreeBSD, i will put that offending part of script here. I can't find a mistake in it. That's strange - opensource community, but has not the same scripting language! Even by using shell from linux emulation (/compat/linux/bin/bash) doesn't work! C'est bizarre!

[TerryP]

Originally Posted by coppermine

The shell is complaining about usage of -ne operator usage in if statement.

Post that line (adding a '# this is the line' comment to it would be nice) and about 4 or 5 lines above down to the closing statement, e.g. a matching 'fi' to the 'if' line, usually it is indented to the same level.

Also post the entire error output and any other relivent output from the script.

Pasting the entire script content to pastebin for a months time or as an attachment might not hurt either.


EDIT:

I do learn new things every now and then that I didn't know were valid Bourne, but generally get along fine with /bin/sh.

Originally Posted by coppermine

That's strange - opensource community, but has not the same scripting language!

FreeBSDs /bin/sh implementation is more focused on POSIX (i.e. the standard) then on extending the language. Look up the Almquist shell.


The Bourne Again SHell (bash) is the standard GNU shell and equivalent to /bin/sh in the GNU operating system. The funky Linux/GNU symbiosis makes them bed-fellows when it comes to a shell. Although some Distros are using the Debian Almquist shell (dash) instead of bash; baiscally a port of NetBSD's sh to Linux.


BourneAgain is a superset of Bourne which means Bourne script will run in bash but BourneAgain script (and Korn script in both cases) will not run in a Bourne shell if it uses BASH (or Korn) specific features.


I write scripts strictly with a POSIX Bourne Sell in mind and beyond what it provides, usually tells me that I need to use a bigger scripting language.


Although I must admit, I have recently considered writing for Korn instead of Bourne... But then using my scripts on Linux boxes could get more iffy :|

[coppermine]

Ok, at last I got the hands to FreeBSD installation and that Matlab issue.

[root@amandine matlab]# /home/xeon/Matlab\ Linux\ 2006a/CD1/install -glnx86
expr: illegal option -- r
usage: expr [-e] expression
/home/xeon/Matlab Linux 2006a/CD1/install: line 197: [: -ne: unary operator expected
usage: dirname string
expr: illegal option -- r
usage: expr [-e] expression
/tmp/40023tmwinstall/install: line 197: [: -ne: unary operator expected
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Usage: install -h | [-<arch>] [-debug] [ [-t] | [-x] ]

      -h      Help. Show command usage.

      -<arch> Assume this architecture when installing.
              You must specify a valid MATLAB arch (e.g. sol2, glnx86)

      -debug  Turn on debugging messages.

      -t      Use terminal setup.

      -x      Use X Window setup. (Default)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The neighboorhood of offending lines are like this:

#
# Check for link portably
#
	    if [ `expr "$lscmd" : '.*->.*'` -ne 0 ]; then
	        filename=`echo "$lscmd" | awk '{ print $NF }'`

And.. may be it's better to post somehow entire script? It has more than 1200 lines. May be there is a place devoted to this?

That's it... if somebody can point out the cause of error and help to get the Matlab working, I would not hesitate to buy the beer (I don't drink, but this doesn't matter).

[TerryP]

The best place is to would be a pastebin or a url to the d/l, pastebin.ca can have things set to remain on display for months.


Never used it so I'm not aware of this boards attachments policy.

`expr "$lscmd" : '.*->.*'` -ne 0

means to use the output of the expr(ession) command and check if the value is not equal to zero.

the right side of the colon up until the closing back tick, ` is a regular expression to evaluate it against, I see no problem there.

I think the entire script would help.

[Carpetsmoker]

Never used it so I'm not aware of this boards attachments policy.

Attach whatever you want as long as it's relevant (i.e. Your Holiday pictures aren't).

[ephemera]

coppermine,

hmm, i think i have an idea why the script is failing.
please run the following commands:

# cd /home/xeon/
# mkdir matlab_copy
# tar cf - 'Matlab Linux 2006a' | tar xpf - -C matlab_copy
# cd 'matlab_copy/Matlab Linux 2006a'
# perl -i -pe 's/\b(expr)\s+?/$1 -- /g' install
# /compat/linux/bin/sh ./install

ofcourse, its quite possible this won't work

[coppermine]

Thanks, ephemera. I will test this very soon - within a few days. Yesterday I tried to install the same Matlab distribution in fresh Xubuntu Hardy Haron installation. I made this just to wipe away the suspections about the correctness for the scripts. Needless to say.. everything went smooth and works good. (Except some warnings about lock assertion.. but who cares )

Yes, the pastebin.ca is working. I will post there the entire installation script. I think the cause of evil is there.