title: Need help on setting up matlab to access external c++ compiler
body: <p>I am currently following SIFTGPU matlab tutorial, and is stuck at this very early section:</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>SIFTGPU is coded in C++ and must be saved as a .mex (matlab external)
    file before it can be called from Matlab. In order to create the .mex
    file, you must make sure that Matlab is set up to access an external
    C++ compiler by entering</p>
    
    <p>mex –setup</p>
    
    <p>into the Matlab command window and following the on-screen
    instructions.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>Because I didn't have Visual C++ express 2010 and Windows SDK, I followed the instruction at <a href="http://www.mathworks.com/support/compilers/R2011a/win64.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.mathworks.com/support/compilers/R2011a/win64.html</a></p>
  
  <p>The installation of both software are fine, however, when it comes to matlab:</p>
  
  <pre><code>&gt;&gt; mex -setup
  
  Welcome to mex -setup.  This utility will help you set up  
  a default compiler.  For a list of supported compilers, see  
  http://www.mathworks.com/support/compilers/R2011a/win64.html 
  
  Please choose your compiler for building MEX-files: 
  
  Would you like mex to locate installed compilers [y]/n? y
  
  Select a compiler: 
  [1] Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Express in D:\VS2010 
  
  [0] None 
  
  Compiler: 1
  
  Please verify your choices: 
  
  Compiler: Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Express  
  Location: D:\VS2010 
  
  Are these correct [y]/n? y
  
  ***************************************************************************** 
    Error: Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Express requires the Microsoft Windows 
           Software Development Kit (SDK), but the SDK cannot be found.  
           For more information about the required SDK, see:  
           http://www.mathworks.com/support/compilers/R2011a/win64.html 
  ***************************************************************************** 
  
  ??? Error using ==&gt; mex at 208
  Unable to complete successfully.
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I am not sure where to go next. Could somebody tell me what do I need to do next after installing VC++ Express 2010 and Windows SDK? </p>