This page shows how to compile VLFeat MEX files for usage in GNU Octave (tested on version 3.6.4).

Make sure that the image toolbox is installed in Octave. This can be obtained, for example, by using the pkg builtin Octave command:

>> pkg install image

Unpack VLFeat and use the Makefile to compile the MEX files. To instruct the Makefile to target Octave as well, specify the path to the mkoctfile command. For example, if mkoctfile is in your current path and VLFeat is unpacked in VLFEATROOT, the following should work:

> cd VLFEATROOT
> MKOCTFILE=mkoctfile make

After the MEX files are successfully compiled (look for them into toolbox/mex/octave/), you can start using VLFeat in Octave in the same way as MATLAB. Do not forget to use the vl_setup command to initalize the paths:

octave:1> addpath VLFEATROOT/toolbox
octave:2> vl_setup
octave:3> vl_version verbose
VLFeat version 0.9.17
    Static config: X64, little_endian, GNU C 40201 LP64, POSIX_threads, SSE2, OpenMP
    4 CPU(s): GenuineIntel MMX SSE SSE2 SSE3 SSE41 SSE42
    OpenMP: max threads: 4 (library: 4)
    Debug: yes
    SIMD enabled: yes