Unable to save path to file : matlab

When executing the command, savepath in matlab in linux if you encounter the error.

Warning: Unable to save path to file '/usr/local/MATLAB/R2017a/toolbox/local/pathdef.m'. You can save your path to a different location by calling SAVEPATH with an input argument that specifies the full path. For MATLAB to use that path in future sessions, save the path to 'pathdef.m' in your MATLAB startup folder. > In savepath (line 172)

It is because the pathdef.m file does not have the permissions required. To verify this execute the command ls -l /usr/local/MATLAB/R2017a/toolbox/local/pathdef.m

We should see an output which displays the following permissions, only read permissions.

To workaround the error, execute the command

sudo chmod 666 /usr/local/MATLAB/R2017a/toolbox/local/pathdef.m

The error should not appear anymore when you run the command savepath.