Error Message: Execution of script builtin as a function is not supported:

I have been running scripts with Matlab2009b and different ones for Matab2017 for the fast few years. Just recently, I have been getting these strange errors when I try to use the scripts.

Execution of script builtin as a function is not supported: [file location].

When I try to open a .m file I get this error message.

Invalid text character. Check for unsupported symbol, invisible character, or pasting of non-ASCII characters.

These are new error messages and it doesn't matter if I am on 2009, 2017 or 2023b. I am getting the same error messages. I can't even view variables anymore. Is there some incompatability thing going on?

Answer 1

[Walter Roberson]

This suggests that you have somehow added a builtin.m to your MATLAB path. You will need to track it down and remove it. If you are lucky then

which -all builtin

will show you the offending file.

You could experiment with using

restoredefaultpath; rehash toolboxecache

If that works then

savepath

You will likely need to do this for all versions of MATLAB.

But I suspect that you have builtin.m in your default MATLAB directory.

[Cg Gc]

I found the builtin file. I've recycled it, but it seems like it has always been there. It was addedd back in 2002.

Here is what happened when I tried the code provided. This is for 2009b MATLAB.

 
>> which -all builtin
built-in (C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2009b\toolbox\matlab\lang\builtin)
>> restoredefaultpath; rehash toolboxecache
??? Error using ==> rehash
No such rehash option.

%Recycled the offending bultin.m files.

% Tried adding folders to my path.
Warning: Function C:\Users\###\Desktop\Matlab\MATLAB\R2009b\toolbox\compiler\mcr\matlab\lang\assert.m has the same name as a MATLAB builtin.
We suggest you rename the function to avoid a potential name conflict. 
Warning: Function C:\Users\###\Desktop\Matlab\MATLAB\R2009b\toolbox\compiler\mcr\matlab\lang\assignin.m has the same name as a MATLAB builtin.
We suggest you rename the function to avoid a potential name conflict. 
Warning: Function C:\Users\###\Desktop\Matlab\MATLAB\R2009b\toolbox\compiler\mcr\matlab\lang\disp.m has the same name as a MATLAB builtin. We
suggest you rename the function to avoid a potential name conflict. 
Warning: Function C:\Users\###\Desktop\Matlab\MATLAB\R2009b\toolbox\compiler\mcr\matlab\lang\display.m has the same name as a MATLAB builtin.
We suggest you rename the function to avoid a potential name conflict. 
Warning: Function C:\Users\###\Desktop\Matlab\MATLAB\R2009b\toolbox\compiler\mcr\matlab\lang\end.m has the same name as a MATLAB builtin. We
suggest you rename the function to avoid a potential name conflict. 
Warning: Function C:\Users\###\Desktop\Matlab\MATLAB\R2009b\toolbox\compiler\mcr\matlab\lang\error.m has the same name as a MATLAB builtin. We
suggest you rename the function to avoid a potential name conflict. 
...
%Replaced my name with ###. I got about two pages of those messages before
%ending on...
??? Attempt to execute SCRIPT builtin as a function:
C:\Users\###\Desktop\Matlab\MATLAB\R2009b\toolbox\matlab\lang\builtin.m

[Cg Gc]

Whatever is happening makes it so that I can't close Matlab without using Task Manager.