how to install matlab on Ubuntu 12.04

I had several issues trying to install matlab R2010a on my ubuntu 12.04 and I don't want anyone to go through the troubles I got in so this is how you do it:

1. if you have your Matlab in an iso file don't use "Furius iso mount" to mount it. if you do so you will have permissions issues. Instead, mount it the old school way:

• sudo mkdir /media/matlab 
• sudo mount matu2k8a.iso /media/matlab/ -t iso9660 -o loop

2. Create a base directory for Matlab manually:

•  sudo mkdir /usr/local/matlab

3.  Go to where the ISO is mounted and run the installer:

• sudo ./install

Give the path of the directory we’ve already created for the Matlab base directory. Give the serial key when prompted.


4. for activating Matlab go to the bin directory in the Matlab base directory /usr/local/matlab and run the command:

• sudo ./activate_matlab.sh

5. After the setup is completed, don’t start Matlab. Create a .matlab directory in your home and give user permissions.

• mkdir ~/.matlab
• sudo chown -R ${USER}:${USER} ~/.matlab

Done :) Now you can run Matlab using the command:

• sh /usr/local/matlab/bin/matlab