Including GNU Octave in a numerical programming C++ rapid development software context for research models

• Published in: IOP conference series. Materials Science and Engineering 2019-08, Vol.591 (1), p.12061
• Main Authors: Oanta, E, Pescaru, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Access time; Applications programs; C plus plus; C++ (programming language); Conversion; Interpreters; R&D; Research & development; Software
• ISSN: 1757-8981; 1757-899X
• DOI: 10.1088/1757-899X/591/1/012061

The paper is included in the strategy to use API facilities of CAD/CAE commercial applications and dedicated programming languages, such as GNU Octave, in order to create a set of instruments useful for the rapid development of the hybrid models. In this way, an exploratory investigation is presented regarding the most appropriate methods to use GNU Octave scientific programming facilities in C++ applications. Four software demonstrators are included in the paper, which may be used as an inspirational environment. Each program presents relevant aspects regarding the C++ API. The first demonstrator presents two methods to start the Octave interpreter, depending on its current version, and the use of the 'feval()' function for 'gcd()', 'acos()' and 'inv()'. The type of the input and output values of 'feval()' are 'octave_value_list', being necessary appropriate conversion functions. The second program is dedicated to the built-in-functions, being presented three case studies. The third demonstrator presents the conversion of the values from a user defined C++ type to the Octave types, i.e. the conversion of a two dimensional array into a 'Matrix' Octave type,which is tested using the 'norm()' function.The fourth program uses 'source_file(OCT_script_file)', which executes the commands in the OCT_script_file\ The content of this file is written from a string and it is either a set of Octave commands, or the name of another Octave script file which is executed. We have solutions to minimise the access time spent due to the frequently write operation on the disk. We plan to continue our tests in order to find the best methods to use the GNU plotting facilities to develop graphical interpreters.