typecast and typecastx C-mex functions

typecast and typecastx are mex functions that mimic the MATLAB typecast function with extensions
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Updated 20 Mar 2011

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TYPECAST and TYPECASTX are mex functions intended to mimic the MATLAB intrinsic typecast function with extensions. These C-mex versions of typecast differs from the intrinsic typecast in the following important aspects:

Intrinsic typecast
------------------
Type of copy: Deep Data Copy
Allows complex: No
Allows logical: No
Allows char: No
Allows non-vector: No

C-mex typecast
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Type of copy: Shared Data Copy
Allows complex: Yes
Allows logical: Yes (cannot convert from complex)
Allows char: Yes (cannot convert from complex)
Allows non-vector: Yes

Since these C-mex functions produce a shared data copy of the original, it is more efficient than the MATLAB intrinsic typecast, which may be important if you are working with large variables. For non-vector inputs, the first non-singleton dimension must be compatible for the conversion.

There is *NO* difference in functionality between the C-mex typecast and typecastx functions. The purpose of including typecastx is so that users can have the extended functionality shown above without shadowing the intrinsic typecast. e.g., users with older versions of MATLAB that do not have a MATLAB intrinsic typecast might install both typecast and typecastx, whereas users with later versions of MATLAB that *do* have an intrinsic typecast might choose to only install the typecastx function.

Note that these C-mex functions are self-building ... you don't have to know anything about C.

Cite As

James Tursa (2024). typecast and typecastx C-mex functions (https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/17476-typecast-and-typecastx-c-mex-functions), MATLAB Central File Exchange. Retrieved .

MATLAB Release Compatibility
Created with R2006a
Compatible with any release
Platform Compatibility
Windows macOS Linux

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Version Published Release Notes
1.3.0.0

Added capability for char and logical types. Added the typecastx files for convenience.

1.2.0.0

Fixed a sparse matrix bug.

1.1.0.0

Changed algorithm from deep data copy to shared data copy. Thus the C-mex typecast is more efficient than the MATLAB intrinsic typecast. Also added the capability to handle complex inputs.

1.0.0.0

I am adding an m-file so that "help typecast" will work.