Question about Building an Unofficial Version of EnergyPlus

Hello everyone,

I am trying to compile a modified version of EnergyPlus source code, -unofficial version-, following the guidelines outlined in NREL EnergyPlus wiki page.

My question is: Does compiling the executable for EnergyPlus generate the entire software package, allowing users to install it as a standalone version, or does it only generate the necessary files that should be integrated (copy/past) into an existing official EnergyPlus directory?

If anyone has successfully built an unofficial version, could you please confirm?

I hope my question is clear, and thanks in advance!

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Zakaria

asked 2024-04-24 10:07:59 -0500, updated 2024-04-24 10:08:35 -0500

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Following the instructions on the wiki page allows you to build the entire package, but you could also substitute pieces into an existing installation if you want. The instructions include how to build an installer, including all the documentation and other pieces. The developers follow this same wiki for our builds. While the instructions are clear, it will probably take a couple of hours to complete the first time, and then, making changes, recompiling, and creating new installers should be easy. Good luck!

Make sure you follow the instructions specifically on building installer packages and make sure you right click on PACKAGE and build it:

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It should create something like:

C:\repos\EnergyPlus12\build\EnergyPlus-24.1.0-f4280d1a4c-Windows-x86_64.exe

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JasonGlazer

answered 2024-04-24 11:37:58 -0500, updated 2024-04-24 13:51:57 -0500

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Thank you, @JasonGlazer, for your assistance. As you mentioned, I did not complete the instructions until the Building Installer Packages section. I am not familiar with building executables, CMake, or even C++, but I followed the instructions from the beginning to the end. I also enabled LINK_WITH_PYTHON in CMake when building the package, as I found a post that suggested doing so. However, I encountered errors during the executable build process (link to errors).

Zakaria (2024-04-25 12:17:29 -0500) edit

With the CMake you need to keep checking the appropriate rows and pressing "configure" until no more red rows are shown and then press "generate" to make the project.

JasonGlazer (2024-04-25 15:37:14 -0500) edit

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Thank you, @JasonGlazer for your answer.

I have followed the instructions on the wiki page step by step, but I did not succeed to build the whole package; instead, it only generates some files in the ...\Products\Release subfolder.

I no idea what I am doing wrong.

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