---
name: "Mat_Open"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "libmatio"
version: "1.5.30-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/Mat_Open"
---

# Mat\_Open(3)

Opens a MATLAB MAT file.

## NAME

**Mat\_Open** – Opens a MATLAB MAT file.

## SYNOPSIS

**#include \<matio.h\>**

*mat\_t*\

**Mat\_Open**(*const char \*matname*, *int mode*);

## DESCRIPTION

The **Mat\_Open**() function opens a MATLAB MAT file for read only or read-write access.

## EXAMPLES

```
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#include "matio.h"
int main(int argc, char **argv)
{
    mat_t *matfp;
    matfp = Mat_Open(argv[1], MAT_ACC_RDONLY);
    if ( NULL == matfp ) {
        fprintf(stderr, "Error opening MAT file %s0, argv[1]);
        return EXIT_FAILURE;
    }
    Mat_Close(matfp);
    return EXIT_SUCCESS;
}
```

## SEE ALSO

[Mat\_CreateVer(3)](/Mat_CreateVer/3.md), [Mat\_Close(3)](/Mat_Close/3.md)