modern MATLAB ubuntu/linux compiler support

For a long time we've been using MATLAB R2016a on ubuntu 16.04 at University of Technology Eindhoven happily for several robotics projects.

The time is now there to upgrade both ubuntu and MATLAB versions to modern ones, but here we struggle with MATLAB's linux compiler support.

For MATLAB R2019b, R2020a (and R2020b), the supported gcc compiler seems to be 6.3.x (https://www.mathworks.com/support/requirements/supported-compilers.html)

However, ubuntu 18.04 and 19.10 ship with gcc 7.4 by default and via apt only gcc 6.5 can be installed.

On ubuntu 20.04 (our preferred version for upgrading) gcc 9.3 is installed by default and no version lower than 7 is installable via apt.

(building gcc from source would not be preferred)

Why is MATLAB supporting solely such ancient gcc versions? And why is ubuntu still considered a supported OS for modern MATLAB versions while the default compilers shipped with them are not supported?

What would be the best suggestion for a modern MATLAB, ubuntu and gcc package?

[Rik]

If you want an answer from Mathworks you should probably contact the support directly. If you're with the TuE IT staff you may have a direct contact (the Benelux sales manager perhaps?).

I suspect the best solution you will be getting here is a guide on how to install gcc 6.3.x on 20.04.

[MCFurry]

I guess you're right and I'll probably file a service request in a couple of days also. But I reckon more people would find the answer helpful so I'm hoping a Mathworks employee will respond here as well.

Answer 1

[Anakin Zheng]

gcc 9 should work fine. There is no abi breakage change between 6 and 9.

At least for MATLAB Coder, we don't enforce gcc version to match the one listed on compiler support page.

[MCFurry]

Thank you for your answer. I did notice that every mex call in former MATLAB versions throws a warning when not using the listed supported compiler. Hence it doesn't encourage you to use them.

Although the 2020b pre-release doesn't seem to complain anymore!

Does that mean that the newest MATLAB "supports" default gcc versions, or is the warning simply removed and is it "expected to work fine"?

[Anakin Zheng]

I can only say for MATLAB Coder, we technically support any gcc.

[MCFurry]

Okay, thanks for that!

Can you also say something about simulink coder?

[Anakin Zheng]

Should work and no warning most of the time.