(Kick off this page, although I still need to think a bit more about the next sections...) |
(Another block of text written... will move and rename the page to the "tutorials" section.) |
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# This page will not explain any specific details about how to use OpenFOAM and any [[Forks and Variants]] is has (which is why we'll refer to it as ''OpenFOAM technology''). | # This page will not explain any specific details about how to use OpenFOAM and any [[Forks and Variants]] is has (which is why we'll refer to it as ''OpenFOAM technology''). | ||
# This page is an attempt at making you, the reader, better prepared on how to get started on using ''OpenFOAM technology''. | # This page is an attempt at making you, the reader, better prepared on how to get started on using ''OpenFOAM technology''. | ||
| + | |||
Requirements before you continue reading: | Requirements before you continue reading: | ||
# Be aware that OpenFOAM technology is open and free as a technology and as in ''freedom'', as described by the Free Software Foundation: [https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html What is free software?] | # Be aware that OpenFOAM technology is open and free as a technology and as in ''freedom'', as described by the Free Software Foundation: [https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html What is free software?] | ||
| − | # This does not mean that it's cost-free. The primary cost associated to using OpenFOAM technology is ''Time''... and since ''time is money'', that's where its real costs reside. | + | #* This does '''not''' mean that it's cost-free. The primary cost associated to using OpenFOAM technology is ''Time''... and since ''time is money'', that's where its real costs reside. |
# OpenFOAM and any and all of its variants and forks are bound by the GNU General Public License. It's advisable that you get a bit familiar with what this allows you to do or not, as described here: [http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html Frequently Asked Questions about the GNU Licenses] | # OpenFOAM and any and all of its variants and forks are bound by the GNU General Public License. It's advisable that you get a bit familiar with what this allows you to do or not, as described here: [http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html Frequently Asked Questions about the GNU Licenses] | ||
| + | # Be prepared to read a lot of information! | ||
| − | = | + | |
| + | = Names and References = | ||
The following are the primary references when it comes to ''OpenFOAM technology'': | The following are the primary references when it comes to ''OpenFOAM technology'': | ||
* The official OpenFOAM website is [http://www.openfoam.org www.openfoam.org] and is maintained by the OpenFOAM Foundation. | * The official OpenFOAM website is [http://www.openfoam.org www.openfoam.org] and is maintained by the OpenFOAM Foundation. | ||
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Beyond this, there are several forks and variants, which are documented here: [[Forks and Variants]] - including the details on what a ''fork'' and ''variant'' is in this context. | Beyond this, there are several forks and variants, which are documented here: [[Forks and Variants]] - including the details on what a ''fork'' and ''variant'' is in this context. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | = State of Mind = | ||
| + | Looks like a weird section name, isn't it? Well, this is because OpenFOAM technology defies the currently traditional mind set of software users. You're probably use friendly and forgiving Graphical User Interfaces, with varying degrees of friendliness. And possibly want to use OpenFOAM in Windows or Mac OS X. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Well, if you're looking for any or all of those, then have a look at the following wiki pages: | ||
| + | * Known Graphical User Interfaces for using OpenFOAM: [[GUI]] | ||
| + | * Known ways to install and use OpenFOAM on Windows: [[Windows]] | ||
| + | * Known ways to install and use OpenFOAM on Mac OS X: [[:Category:Installing OpenFOAM on Mac OS]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | This is because the primary target Operating System for OpenFOAM is Linux. The reason for this is explained here: [http://openfoam.com/legal/open-source.php OpenFOAM is Open Source] | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | But sooner or later you will need to have the following state of mind when it comes to using OpenFOAM technology: | ||
| + | # First of all, do not think about this as being ''too hard'' or ''too complex''. But it can - and it will - take a considerable amount of time to get to know it well enough. | ||
| + | # ''Complexity is in the eye of the beholder'' - This to say that you should never, ever, try to solve your final problem directly. At least not until you've gained enough experience. | ||
| + | # Do not ''speed through'' the available instructions. You should always carefully read and study the available instructions when it comes to OpenFOAM technology and CFD. | ||
| + | # Every single detail matters more than you're likely willing to care about. This will be exemplified in the next section [#Common mistakes|Common mistakes]. | ||
| + | # Have a journal where you write down of what you've done, what errors you've made and how you've fixed them. Sooner or later you'll repeat those same errors and/or have to reproduce the same results. | ||
| + | # Keep in mind that Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and OpenFOAM technology are tools of science and mathematics, through the use of digital/computational power. In other words: | ||
| + | #* Science: You should always keep in mind that what you're using and doing needs to be validated whenever possible. More details in section [[#Verify/validate your results|Verify/validate your results]]. | ||
| + | #* Mathematics: CFD relies on tons of mathematics, specially computational mathematics. More details in section [[#Mathematical constraints|Mathematical constraints]] | ||
| + | #* Computational power: RAM, disk space, numerical precision, and so on. These limitations will dictate what you can or cannot do with CFD and OpenFOAM technology. More details in section [[#Computational limitations|Computational limitations]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | == Common mistakes == | ||
| + | TODO | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Verify/validate your results == | ||
| + | TODO | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Mathematical constraints == | ||
| + | TODO | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Computational limitations == | ||
| + | TODO | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Incomplete pages]] | ||
Revision as of 14:51, 4 January 2015
Contents
1 Introduction
Actually, this is more of a disclaimer than an introduction, because:
- This page aims to give you, the reader, a good sense of direction when it comes to using OpenFOAM technology.
- This page will not explain any specific details about how to use OpenFOAM and any Forks and Variants is has (which is why we'll refer to it as OpenFOAM technology).
- This page is an attempt at making you, the reader, better prepared on how to get started on using OpenFOAM technology.
Requirements before you continue reading:
- Be aware that OpenFOAM technology is open and free as a technology and as in freedom, as described by the Free Software Foundation: What is free software?
- This does not mean that it's cost-free. The primary cost associated to using OpenFOAM technology is Time... and since time is money, that's where its real costs reside.
- OpenFOAM and any and all of its variants and forks are bound by the GNU General Public License. It's advisable that you get a bit familiar with what this allows you to do or not, as described here: Frequently Asked Questions about the GNU Licenses
- Be prepared to read a lot of information!
2 Names and References
The following are the primary references when it comes to OpenFOAM technology:
- The official OpenFOAM website is www.openfoam.org and is maintained by the OpenFOAM Foundation.
- The community foam-extend website is foam-extend.org and is maintained by the community that uses OpenFOAM technology and by Wikki Ltd. For more details: OpenFOAMWiki:Community_Portal
Beyond this, there are several forks and variants, which are documented here: Forks and Variants - including the details on what a fork and variant is in this context.
3 State of Mind
Looks like a weird section name, isn't it? Well, this is because OpenFOAM technology defies the currently traditional mind set of software users. You're probably use friendly and forgiving Graphical User Interfaces, with varying degrees of friendliness. And possibly want to use OpenFOAM in Windows or Mac OS X.
Well, if you're looking for any or all of those, then have a look at the following wiki pages:
- Known Graphical User Interfaces for using OpenFOAM: GUI
- Known ways to install and use OpenFOAM on Windows: Windows
- Known ways to install and use OpenFOAM on Mac OS X: Category:Installing OpenFOAM on Mac OS
This is because the primary target Operating System for OpenFOAM is Linux. The reason for this is explained here: OpenFOAM is Open Source
But sooner or later you will need to have the following state of mind when it comes to using OpenFOAM technology:
- First of all, do not think about this as being too hard or too complex. But it can - and it will - take a considerable amount of time to get to know it well enough.
- Complexity is in the eye of the beholder - This to say that you should never, ever, try to solve your final problem directly. At least not until you've gained enough experience.
- Do not speed through the available instructions. You should always carefully read and study the available instructions when it comes to OpenFOAM technology and CFD.
- Every single detail matters more than you're likely willing to care about. This will be exemplified in the next section [#Common mistakes|Common mistakes].
- Have a journal where you write down of what you've done, what errors you've made and how you've fixed them. Sooner or later you'll repeat those same errors and/or have to reproduce the same results.
- Keep in mind that Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and OpenFOAM technology are tools of science and mathematics, through the use of digital/computational power. In other words:
- Science: You should always keep in mind that what you're using and doing needs to be validated whenever possible. More details in section Verify/validate your results.
- Mathematics: CFD relies on tons of mathematics, specially computational mathematics. More details in section Mathematical constraints
- Computational power: RAM, disk space, numerical precision, and so on. These limitations will dictate what you can or cannot do with CFD and OpenFOAM technology. More details in section Computational limitations.
3.1 Common mistakes
TODO
3.2 Verify/validate your results
TODO
3.3 Mathematical constraints
TODO
3.4 Computational limitations
TODO
