Add the ability to specify the base OS version with a build arg.

fixes #146

Author: michaelmcdonnellmw

Dockerfile

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 #              --build-arg MATLAB_PRODUCT_LIST="MATLAB Deep_Learning_Toolbox Symbolic_Math_Toolbox"
 #              --build-arg MATLAB_INSTALL_LOCATION="/opt/matlab/R2025b"
 #              --build-arg LICENSE_SERVER=12345@hostname.com
+#              --build-arg UBUNTU_VERSION=24.04
 #              -t my_matlab_image_name .
 
 # To specify which MATLAB release to install in the container, edit the value of the MATLAB_RELEASE argument.
@@ -20,12 +21,15 @@ ARG MATLAB_PRODUCT_LIST="MATLAB"
 # Specify MATLAB Install Location.
 ARG MATLAB_INSTALL_LOCATION="/opt/matlab/${MATLAB_RELEASE}"
 
+# Specify a ubuntu version to use for the container
+ARG UBUNTU_VERSION
+
 # Specify license server information using the format: port@hostname
 ARG LICENSE_SERVER
 
 # When you start the build stage, this Dockerfile by default uses the Ubuntu-based matlab-deps image.
 # To check the available matlab-deps images, see: https://hub.docker.com/r/mathworks/matlab-deps
-FROM mathworks/matlab-deps:${MATLAB_RELEASE}
+FROM mathworks/matlab-deps:${MATLAB_RELEASE}${UBUNTU_VERSION:+-ubuntu${UBUNTU_VERSION}}
 
 # Declare build arguments to use at the current build stage.
 ARG MATLAB_RELEASE

README.md

@@ -68,6 +68,7 @@ The [Dockerfile](https://github.com/mathworks-ref-arch/matlab-dockerfile/blob/ma
 | [MATLAB_RELEASE](#build-an-image-for-a-different-release-of-matlab) | R2025b | MATLAB release to install, for example, `R2023b`.|
 | [MATLAB_PRODUCT_LIST](#build-an-image-with-a-specific-set-of-products) | MATLAB | Space-separated list of products to install, for example, `MATLAB Simulink Deep_Learning_Toolbox Fixed-Point_Designer`. For more information, see [MPM.md](https://github.com/mathworks-ref-arch/matlab-dockerfile/blob/main/MPM.md).|
 | [MATLAB_INSTALL_LOCATION](#build-an-image-with-matlab-installed-to-a-specific-location) | /opt/matlab/R2025b | Path to install MATLAB. |
+| [UBUNTU_VERSION](#build-an-image-based-on-a-specific-os) | *unset* | The base OS that should be used to build on top of. For example: 24.04|
 | [LICENSE_SERVER](#build-an-image-configured-to-use-a-license-server) | *unset* | Port and hostname of the machine that is running the network license manager, using the `port@hostname` syntax. For example: `27000@MyServerName` |
 
 Use these arguments with the `docker build` command to customize your image.
@@ -91,6 +92,15 @@ For example, to build an image with MATLAB installed at /opt/matlab, use this co
 docker build --build-arg MATLAB_INSTALL_LOCATION='/opt/matlab' -t matlab:R2025b .
 ```
 
+#### Build an Image Based on a Specific OS
+
+You can specify a base OS image to build upon using the `UBUNTU_VERSION` build argument. These should follow th convention used for the `mathworks/matlab-deps` images. For more information see the [list of matlab-deps base images](https://hub.docker.com/r/mathworks/matlab-deps#supported-tags). For example:
+
+```bash
+# Build a container based on a specific OS.
+docker build --build-arg UBUNTU_VERSION=24.04 -t matlab:R2025a .
+```
+
 #### Build an Image Configured to Use a License Server
 
 Including the license server information with the `docker build` command means you do not have to pass it when running the container.