"syms", "sym", and "mupad" functions cause MATLAB to freeze

Why does MATLAB hang when I try to use the "syms", "sym""syms", "sym", or "mupad" functions?

It causes MATLAB to run indefinitely, the system freezes and memory usage increases.

Sometimes errors also appear:

Error using mupadmex

Internal error with symbolic engine. Quit and restart MATLAB.

Error in symengine

Error in sym (line 185)

symengine;

MATLAB Version: 9.3.0.713579 (R2017b)

Operating System: Linux 5.3.7-200.fc30.x86_64 #1 SMP Fri Oct 18 20:13:59 UTC 2019 x86_64

Java Version: Java 1.8.0_121-b13 with Oracle Corporation Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM mixed mode

Answer 1

[Stephan]

R2017b had this bug, but it was fixed in update 7 and following. Try to install the latest update for your release - see Step 2:

https://de.mathworks.com/downloads/web_downloads/download_release?release=R2017b