Install and Setup

There are typically four ways to interact with the SIMPLACE framework:

1.SIMPLACE GUI: The SIMPLACE GUI also named CropManager for dynamic visualization of model solutions and outputs

2.SIMPLACE Console: The compiled version that could be executed from the console, also named Console Mode

3.Wrappers: Packages to configure, execute and pull outputs in R, Python, Matlab and Octave

4.Eclipse: An IDE that gives the highest control over model development and testing

 

Depending on which method is selected, the installation, setup and operation may differ. Normally, the level of complexity and control of model customization also increases from methods 1 to 4.

 

SIMPLACE GUI and Console version

 

The installation of both SIMPLACE Graphical User Interface (GUI) and console can be started by downloading the respective package from the list below.

 

 

After downloading the respective file above:

 

For the GUI, users should execute and follow the instruction of the downloaded installation helper. Further configuration material is provided in SIMPLACE Crop Manager GUI.

 

For the Console, users should extract the zipped files and start using the executable version of SIMPLACE that is located in the sub-folder (e.g. "SIMPLACE Console/simplace.exe"). Further configuration material is provided on the Console Mode page.

 

 

Eclipse (IDE)

 

Eclipse is an integrated development environment (IDE) used in computer programming, very popular for Java development. It contains a base workspace and an extensible plug-in system for customizing the environment. It is the main IDE used to develop SIMPLACE and which we provide extensive material and training for scientists and developers.

 

We also provide a pre-configured and portable version of Eclipse with Java dependencies and SVN plug-in. After downloading the file from the link below, please follow the instructions in the ReadMe.txt file.

 

•Portable version with pre-configured Eclipse 64bit + Java: Download

 

 

Video tutorials

 

Video tutorials about initial setup can be watch or downloaded in:

•First steps with SIMPLACE: Watch

•SIMPLACE installation and use of SVN: Watch

•How to install eclipse: YouTube Watch

 

 

Installing Java, Eclipse, SVN

 

Alternatively, users can download and install Eclipse and plug-ins separately:

 

•Install Eclipse (choose Eclipse IDE for Java Developers) http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/

•Install the Subversive Plugin for Eclipse http://marketplace.eclipse.org/content/subversive-svn-team-provider

•When restarting Eclipse, select SVNKit Connector for the Subversive Plugin. Select if possible version 1.7xx or above (not 1.3xx)

 

 

Getting the SIMPLACE source-code and configuration files

 

When Eclipse or any other IDE is properly installed with a Subversion control system (e.g. SVN), the SIMPLACE framework source-code and ancillary configuration files can be accessed via the respective repository links. In Eclipse:

 

•Open the SVN Perspective in Eclipse and add the repository locations for simplace_core, simplace_modules, lapclient, simplace_run, simplace_cloud, documentation, simplace_geotools, and simplace_wrapper according to the table below.

 

 

•Browse the repository and select either the trunk or a branch for checking out. At the moment we recommend branches/Version_5.0_final.

 

•Check out as a new project. You need at least simplace_modules, sijmplace_core, lapclient and simplace_run.

 

•If everything went well, you should have the JAVA projects simplac_core, simplace_modules, simplace_run, lapclient, documentation, etc, available to use directly in Eclipse.

 

•Further material about about the configuration and execution of model solutions in Eclipse can be found on the Training page.

 

 

Notes on the SVN and Eclipse-Project structure

 

There are some differences between the SVN repositories structure and the Eclipse project structure. Normally you have to deal only initially with the repository structure when you check out the projects.

 

The framework resides in the SVN repository simplace_core. There is the principal version which is direct in trunk/ and there are branches that are located in branches/name_of_branch.

 

The repository lapclient holds the graphical user interface.

 

Rule of thumb:

 documentation and simplace_run from the trunk,

 lapclient, simplace_modules and simplace_core from the branch

 

 

Wrappers

 

A set of custom packages for R, Python, Matlab and Octave are maintained for interfacing with SIMPLACE framework. To install them:

 

•Its required to have the appropriate version of Java (JRE or JDK) used in the desired version of SIMPLACE

•Have the basic source-code of SIMPLACE (e.g. simplace_core, simplace_modules, lapclient, simplace_run)

•Download and install the corresponding package from the table below:

 

 

More information is provided on page Wrapper in SIMPLACE