== For the impatient == * Download the [[http://builder.heuristiclab.com:8080/repository/download/bt11/.lastSuccessful/HeuristicLab%20stable%20sources%20r%7Bbuild.number%7D.zip?guest=1|stable branch source zip]] * Build `HeuristicLab.ExtLibs.sln` then build `HeuristicLab 3.3.sln` For the not so impatient, this quickstart covers how to obtain and set up the development environment in order to extend HeuristicLab with new plugins. If you have troubles please check the [[Documentation/FAQ|FAQ]]. == Obtaining the source == [[Image(StableRoot.png, 45%, align=right, margin-left=30)]] We will use the sources of the //current stable build// as these can be built without any prerequisites. You require a current version of Visual Studio or SharpDevelop and the .NET framework. * Download the [[http://builder.heuristiclab.com:8080/repository/download/bt11/.lastSuccessful/HeuristicLab%20stable%20sources%20r%7Bbuild.number%7D.zip?guest=1|stable branch source zip]] * Unpack it into the folder `HeuristicLab\stable` somewhere on your hard drive We will refer to the HeuristicLab folder as //HLRoot//, likewise we'll call the stable folder //StableRoot//. The explorer should look like in the image to the right. == Building HeuristicLab == '''Important:''' HeuristicLab is split into two solutions. The one that rarely changes and needs to be built first is called `HeuristicLab.ExtLibs.sln`. The second one that changes more often is called `HeuristicLab 3.3.sln`. The rest can be ignored for now. Both solutions build into a common `bin` folder directly inside StableRoot. All assembly references to plugins that are not projects of the same solution reference assemblies in that bin folder. Read that again. === Option 1: Using the Build.cmd script === [[Image(buildcmd.png, align=right, margin-left=30)]] If you have Visual Studio 2012 or later installed you can use the Build.cmd script in StableRoot. * Double click Build.cmd and type the number associated with HeuristicLab.ExtLibs.sln Then hit and each time it prompts again. Default options are given in brackets []. * Double click Build.cmd again and type the number associated with HeuristicLab 3.3.sln You now have built HeuristicLab and its plugins into `StableRoot\bin`. === Option 2: Using an IDE === Building using Visual Studio or SharpDevelop requires that you build the solutions in the correct order. The HeuristicLab 3.3.sln is quite large, please be patient until it is loaded. Solutions in Visual Studio can be built by pressing , in SharpDevelop the shortcut is . * Open and build `HeuristicLab.ExtLibs.sln` * Open and build `HeuristicLab 3.3.sln` === Adding a shortcut === It is convenient to add a shortcut to the `HeuristicLab.exe` file that directly starts the Optimizer and bypasses the starter window. * Create a shortcut from `StableRoot\bin\HeuristicLab.exe` by right-clicking it and choosing "Create Shortcut" * Open the properties of the new shortcut by right-clicking it * Append the following switches `/start:Optimizer /hideStarter` to the "Target" box * Move the shortcut to HLRoot or another convenient place and rename it to "HeuristicLab 3.3 Optimizer" == Creating a new plugin == We now want to extend the functionality of HeuristicLab. * Create a new folder `extension` in HLRoot === New plugin with Visual Studio === * Open a new instance of Visual Studio 2012 or later * Select "File > New > Project..." or press * In the dialog on the top select ".NET Framework 4" * On the right choose "Other Project Types > Visual Studio Solutions" and select the "Blank Solution" template or alternatively type "Blank Solution" in the search box on the right * Use "GreatIdea" as Name and click "Browse..." to select the `extension` folder and click Ok * In the Solution Explorer right-click the "GreatIdea" solution and select "Add > New Project..." * On the right choose "Visual C#" and select the "Class Library" template * As name pick "HeuristicLab.GreatIdea.ThePlugin" You're presented with a minimal project set up for developing a new class library (dll). Before we continue we want to adjust the project configuration to make development convenient. * Open the project properties and go to "Build" * Change the first box from "Active (Debug)" to "All Configurations" * Enter `..\..\..\stable\bin` in the output path * Then click on "Debug" on the left, choose "Start external program" and select HeuristicLab.exe inside StableRoot\bin - this setting is stored in the .csproj.user file * Then click on "Signing" on the left, activate "Sign the assembly" and create a new key * Call it "TheKey", but deselect the password option * Save the project and close the properties This ensures that the generated plugin is automatically added as a plugin to the HeuristicLab build and that we can use our solution to start a debugging session (shortcut ). Now, we want to make this class library a HeuristicLab plugin. This requires that we include a special class that designates this dll to be a plugin. * For the project add a reference to `HeuristicLab.PluginInfrastructure.dll` in StableRoot\bin * Open the properties of the reference and set "Copy Local" to false Later on in your developments you will have to add additional plugins as references, but the procedure is always the same. * Rename `Class1.cs` to `Plugin.cs` by selecting it and pressing * Replace the code in the file with the following code snippet {{{ #!csharp using HeuristicLab.PluginInfrastructure; namespace HeuristicLab.GreatIdea.ThePlugin { [Plugin("HeuristicLab.GreatIdea.ThePlugin", "Provides an implementation of a great idea", "3.3.9.0")] [PluginFile("HeuristicLab.GreatIdea.ThePlugin.dll", PluginFileType.Assembly)] public class Plugin : PluginBase { } } }}} '''Important''': The plugin class needs to derive from HeuristicLab.PluginInfrastructure.PluginBase so that the dll is realized as a plugin. The attributes specify the details of the plugin and which files it provides. The filename given in PluginFile has to be the same as the assembly output filename in the "Application" tab of the project's properties. '''Important''': Version numbers for plugins can be specified in the style major.minor.build.revision. In the official HeuristicLab repository the revision part is synchronized with the SVN revision number, it can be simply set to 0 in our case. Changing major or minor version numbers in the course of development marks a breaking change to previously saved files. If HeuristicLab's persistence comes across an item of a plugin with version 3.3.8 it will accept the same plugin in version 3.3.9 to open it. However, it will reject the plugin when its major.minor is different (e.g. 3.2.7, 3.4.3 or 4.0.1). For this reason HeuristicLab plugin assemblies are always marked with major and minor numbers at the end, e.g. HeuristicLab.Core-3.3.dll. This allows to have the same assembly in two conflicting versions. * Build the project and press to start it without a debugger attached * You will see the starter window again, but you already know the switches to hide it * Inside the starter open the "Plugin Manager" and see that it is correctly loaded Now we have created an empty plugin that we can use to implement our great idea. Please refer to the [[Documentation]] pages and the various HowTos on how to write views, operators, algorithms, etc. === New plugin with SharpDevelop === We can now build HeuristicLab and extends it with own plugins. Below are some remarks for experienced developers. == For the experienced == At some point it might be beneficial for you to build against the code in our SVN repositories. The advantage is that you can update it and get new features as we release them. Also you will get notice of breaking changes to our API earlier. You'll have to install [[http://tortoisesvn.net|Tortoise SVN]] because the build process makes use of one of its tools (SubWCRev). You need to have the binary path (bin) of TortoiseSVN (usually `C:\Program Files\TortoiseSVN\bin`) in your PATH environment variable. Changing the PATH variable requires you to re-login to your Windows account to put them into effect. * Stable branch: `​http://dev.heuristiclab.com/svn/hl/core/stable` (recommended, tested and reviewed changes only) * Main trunk: `http://dev.heuristiclab.com/svn/hl/core/trunk/sources` (not recommended, frequent and unreviewed changes, moderate testing)