Hi everybody: I need to mak
 

Hi everybody:

I need to make a call to an external function before and after each time step of the solver.
This is to be able to interact with other software.

I've seen I can compile my own library (foamUser) so my new functions are available for all applications.

But I don't know where to go from here. Any pointers are appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Hi Alex! What you're lookin
 

Hi Alex!

What you're looking for is called a functionObject. For an example of the usage of those look at $FOAM_TUTORIASL/oodles/pitzDaily/system/controlDict. For examples on the programming of those look at the doxygen or http://openfoamwiki.net/index.php/Co...unctionObjects

Bernhard

Thank you Bernhard for your an
 

Thank you Bernhard for your answer.

I've looked a bit into Contrib_simpleFunctionObjetcs but I don't get any smarter, =(

The README references the script prepareForCompilation.sh, but I cannot find that script.
That script is needed for building simpleFunctionObjects, right?

I guess I need to create my own functionObject, and I could use your contributed module as a starting point, right?

In other words: HELP, I'm still lost!

Thank you for you time!

Ok, let's see If I'm getting t
 

Ok, let's see If I'm getting this right:

1) I need to subclass functionObject or, even better, simpleFunctionObject.

2) Overriding the write() method I can (in some way) extract data after the solver is ready with a time step.

3) I could use the flush() method to block, and wait for my external function to return some value. Then OF could continue with the next time step.


God!, I'm making progress here, :-)

Hi Alex, Since it would app
 

Hi Alex,

Since it would appear that you are trying to achieve a specific task, why not just reassemble your own solver? Take whichever existing solver, copy it under a new name and within the main time-loop just add in your external calls directly.

At a later stage you can rework it all to use functionObjects (if desired), but this would get you going very quickly and is a good bit easier to implement.

Mark, thanks for your input!
 

Mark, thanks for your input!

The tool I'm trying to build should, ideally, work with minimal modifications to standard installs.
This tool should work for other people than me, and then I cannot tell which solver they will choose.

Hi Alex! That is definitely
 

Hi Alex!

That is definitely the definition of a functionObject. But (especially if it is your first FO) Mark's suggestion is good practise: make sure that the functionality works, then rework it into a function object. That way you'll know whether the problems you're experiencing are "functionObject problems" or "other problems"

Bernhard

Thanks Bernhard! I was thin
 

Thanks Bernhard!

I was thinking on adding a functionObject to the cavity tutorial, to be sure that the application works.

What about the script prepareForCompilation.sh?
Where can I find it?

Thanks!

Hi Alex! You're on 1.5 aren
 

Hi Alex!

You're on 1.5 aren't you? You don't need it there. The README was not properly updated when that code was ported to 1.5 (the functionality it was needed for - surface-plots triggered by a function object - is now part of the distribution)

But I'll update the README. Thanks for the hint (and it's nice to know that somebody actually reads READMEs ;) )

Bernhard