The main problem seems to stem from the lack of Java support for the new look-and-feel.
1. Update Java and XQuartz
This may not be a critical component, but keeping Java and XQuartz up-to-date is probably good practice.Java for OSX 2014-001: http://support.apple.com/kb/dl1572
XQuartz: https://xquartz.macosforge.org/
2. Patch Matlab
Mathworks has released patches for versions 2011a to 2014a.http://www.mathworks.com/support/bugreports/1098655
The patch will add (compiled Java) files to the app bundle under
MATLAB_your_version.app/java/patch/Without the patch you will randomly get Java null pointer errors caused by missing Aqua look-and-feel(laf) files (files for the old OS X Aqua UI). This will prevent the help dialog from opening.
By now Matlab will run when launched by terminal command line. Trying to run Matlab by clicking the application icon or from a Spotlight search will result in the following error message.
3. Patch Info.plist
Open/Applications/MATLAB_your_version.app/Contents/Info.plist in your text editor of choice. You will need to open it as administrator (using sudo).The file is an XML file. Find
CFBundleVersion. The value for CFBundleVersion will be something like 2.1. Change it to 9.1.I am not 100% sure what this hack does, but from the looks, it seems like it is bypassing a version check.
By now, everything should be working.
And some thoughts...
Despite an open beta program for OS X 10.10 Yosemite, during which Mathworks seems to have been preparing Matlab 2014b, they apparently did not test the compatibility of previous versions of Matlab with the new OS.Throughout the beta period and into the first couple of weeks of Yosemite's release, there has been a lot of confusion regarding which versions of Matlab would be supported on Yosemite, especially with versions prior to 2013a. After a period of confusion on Mathworks part, it seems they have settled to support versions 2011a or later.
Given most undergraduate programs last on average 4 years (being a student user myself), I personally think each Matlab version should be supported at least 4 years. Especially when "supporting a release" means patching some missing files and properly reading the OS version. It makes little sense for the relatively expensive software package to have such a randomly short support schedule.
All in all, this may be a good time to move to open source alternatives such as R or Python.
