matlabtopython-compat

The Python runtime for ported MATLAB code.

When you translate MATLAB to Python, some idioms don't map cleanly to numpy or scipy alone:

Cell arrays with grow-on-write semantics
Structs that support both s.name and s.('name') access
sprintf cycling format specifiers through vector arguments
X(:) column-major flatten (numpy defaults to row-major)
[sorted_vals, idx] = sort(X) returning a pair

This package fills those gaps so ported code runs without hand-editing every MATLAB-ism into a numpy equivalent. Pair it with the online converter at mtopython.com for a zero-edit path, or use it directly if you're porting MATLAB by hand.

Install

pip install matlabtopython-compat

Optional .mat file I/O adds a scipy dependency:

pip install "matlabtopython-compat[mat-io]"

What's in it

Helper	MATLAB equivalent	Why it's here
`CellArray`	`c = {a, b, c}`	Lists work for most cells but miss `c{1} = ...` grow-on-write semantics.
`Struct`	`s.name`, `s.(name)`	Combines attribute + dict access in one object.
`sprintf`	`sprintf('%d\n', [1 2 3])`	Vector arguments cycle through format specifiers — Python's `%` doesn't.
`fprintf`	`fprintf(fid, fmt, args)`	Same, with file-handle form.
`tic` / `toc`	`tic; ... toc`	MATLAB-compatible timing output.
`flatten_fortran`	`X(:)`	Column-major flatten (numpy defaults to row-major).
`sort_with_index`	`[s, i] = sort(X)`	Returns both sorted values and indices.

Example

from matlabtopython_compat import CellArray, Struct, sprintf, tic, toc

# Cells with grow-on-write
c = CellArray()
c.cell_set(1, 'Alice')
c.cell_set(2, 42)
print(c.cell_get(1))  # 'Alice'

# Struct with both access styles
s = Struct(name='Alice', age=30)
print(s.name, s['age'])

# Vector-argument sprintf
print(sprintf('%d\n', [1, 2, 3]))  # '1\n2\n3\n'

# MATLAB-style timing
t0 = tic()
# ... code ...
toc()  # "Elapsed time is X seconds."

License

MIT. No runtime calls to external services; everything is pure Python.

Metadata

Release files for matlabtopython-compat 0.1.1

For a detailed explanation of source distributions (sdists) and built distributions (wheels), please see the package formats documentation.

Built distribution (wheel)

Table of built distributions (wheels) for matlabtopython-compat 0.1.1
File	Interpreter	ABI	Platform	Reset
matlabtopython_compat-0.1.1-py3-none-any.whl 9.1 kB Apr 17, 2026	Python 3	none	any	Details

Release files / matlabtopython_compat-0.1.1-py3-none-any.whl

Download URL	matlabtopython_compat-0.1.1-py3-none-any.whl
Size	9.1 kB
Tags	Python 3
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