SIMPL Source Installation Instructions

This source code is completely self contained. By default it will not pollute your source tree. This procedure ultimately creates a static (or dynamic) library which you then link into your applications as you see fit. It is not necessary to patch your existing LINUX code to enable it. As such it should be quite independent of the LINUX version you are using.

Step 1: Download the source tar.gz file to your system if you have not already done so (~105k)

Step 2: Pick a home for your tarball (eg. /usr/local) and undo it as follows:
tar -zxvf simpl-x.x.x.tar.gz
where
x.x.x is substituted for actual version eg. 3.2.3

This should have created a subdirectory called simpl-x.x.x
eg. /usr/local/simpl-3.2.3

Step 3: Create a symbolic link to simpl as follows:
ln -s simpl-x.x.x simpl
where
x.x.x is substituted for actual version eg. 3.2.3

This should have created a symbolic link to simpl-x.x.x called simpl. Multiple versions of SIMPL can be installed simultaneously and accessed by rearranging this symbolic link accordingly.

NOTE: Some SIMPL developers create convenience environment variable to simplify access to the exported SIMPL utilities and libraries.

That environment variable is SIMPL_HOME and it points to the top of the simpl tree.
eg. export SIMPL_HOME=/usr/local/simpl

The following are where SIMPL exports its stuff by default:

$SIMPL_HOME/lib - home of SIMPL libaries
$SIMPL_HOME/bin - home of SIMPL utilities and surrogates
$SIMPL_HOME/include - home of exported SIMPL header files

Before doing more you may want to read the various bits of documentation starting with: $SIMPL_HOME/docs/readme.ipc

Step 4: Build the code

There is a script available to drive the top level Makefile. That script is called:

$SIMPL_HOME/scripts/buildsimpl It will output the results from the make to a file called:

$SIMPL_HOME/make.out The code is organized such that all the individual directories come with their own Makefile. You can execute localized builds by typing:

Step 5: Run the benchmarking test to see if everything is in order

Simply follow the instructions contained in the readme at:

$SIMPL_HOME/benchmarks/src/readme

NOTE: SIMPL requires a SIMPL sandbox within which SIMPL modules can exchange messages. The default for this SIMPL sandbox is /var/tmp. This can be overridden by specifying an environment variable called:

FIFO_PATH - the path to where you wish the fifos to live eg. export FIFO_PATH=/home/fifo

FIFO_PATH must point to a valid directory in which your user account has create permissions.

Step 6: Have fun with the stuff.

If you have any problems, comments or suggestions for improvement don't hesitate to contact the SIMPL mailing list

As with most things it represents a "work in progress". FCsoftware has been using the various versions of this code in several projects over the years ... so when its not undergoing renovations we have found it to be a very stable library.

back to main SIMPL page

This project is being coordinated by FC software Inc.