Dev

dependency_map.md

@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+# PyPLECS Dependency Map
+
+## Core Class and Method Relationships
+
+- `PlecsApp`
+  - Uses: `ConfigManager` (for config)
+  - Starts/stops PLECS process (no longer does GUI automation)
+  - Used by: CLI demo, integration tests
+  - Calls: `_find_plecs_executable`, `open_plecs`, `kill_plecs`, `set_plecs_high_priority`, `get_plecs_cpu`
+  - Can instantiate `PlecsServer` (via `load_file`)
+
+- `PlecsServer`
+  - Uses: `xmlrpc.client.Server` for XML-RPC communication
+  - Methods: `run_sim_single`, `run_sim_with_datastream`, `load_modelvars`, `close`, etc.
+  - Used by: `RealPlecsSimulator` (in CLI demo), tests, orchestration
+
+- `RealPlecsSimulator` (cli_demo_nomocks.py)
+  - Uses: `PlecsApp` to start/stop PLECS
+  - Uses: `PlecsServer` for XML-RPC
+  - Uses: `SimulationCache` for caching
+  - Used by: CLI demo
+
+- `SimulationPlan`, `SimulationViewer` (pyplecs/orchestration)
+  - Used by: CLI demo, orchestration, tests
+
+- `SimulationCache`
+  - Used by: `RealPlecsSimulator`, orchestration
+
+- `ConfigManager`
+  - Used by: `PlecsApp`, `PlecsServer`
+
+## XML-RPC Communication Patterns
+
+- `PlecsServer` is the main XML-RPC client:
+  - Instantiates: `self.server = xmlrpc.client.Server('http://localhost:' + port + '/RPC2')`
+  - Calls: `self.server.plecs.load(...)`, `self.server.plecs.set(...)`, `self.server.plecs.getModelVariables(...)`, `self.server.plecs.run(...)`, etc.
+  - Used by: `run_sim_with_datastream`, `load_modelvars`, etc.
+
+- `RealPlecsSimulator` (cli_demo_nomocks.py):
+  - Calls `PlecsServer.load_modelvars()` and `PlecsServer.run_sim_with_datastream()`
+  - Handles parameter conversion and debug printing
+
+- Tests:
+  - Use `PlecsServer` directly or via `pyplecs` import
+  - Mock XML-RPC calls for unit/integration tests
+
+## File/Module Relationships
+
+- `pyplecs/pyplecs.py` defines core classes: `PlecsApp`, `PlecsServer`
+- `pyplecs/orchestration/` contains orchestration and planning tools
+- `pyplecs/cache.py` provides caching
+- `pyplecs/config.py` provides configuration
+- `cli_demo_nomocks.py` demonstrates end-to-end workflow
+- `tests/` use all of the above, with mocks for XML-RPC where needed
+
+---
+
+This map summarizes the main dependencies and communication flows in PyPLECS as of this scan. For more detail, see the code and test files directly.

development_environment_setup.md

@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+# PyPLECS Development Environment Setup
+
+## Prerequisites
+- Python 3.8+ (3.10+ recommended)
+- PLECS Standalone (for real simulation)
+- Git
+- Windows, Linux, or macOS (Windows best supported)
+
+## Setup Steps
+
+1. **Clone the repository:**
+   ```sh
+   git clone https://github.com/tinix84/pyplecs.git
+   cd pyplecs
+   ```
+
+2. **Create and activate a virtual environment:**
+   ```sh
+   python -m venv .venv
+   # Windows:
+   .venv\Scripts\activate
+   # Linux/macOS:
+   source .venv/bin/activate
+   ```
+
+3. **Install dependencies:**
+   ```sh
+   pip install -r requirements.txt
+   # For full features (parquet, yaml):
+   pip install .[full]
+   ```
+
+4. **(Windows) Use the installer script for automated setup:**
+   ```pwsh
+   tools\installers\windows_installer.ps1
+   ```
+
+5. **Configure PLECS path and XML-RPC:**
+   - Edit `config/default.yml` if needed to set PLECS executable path and XML-RPC port.
+   - By default, XML-RPC is enabled on port 1080.
+
+6. **Run tests to verify setup:**
+   ```sh
+   pytest tests/ -v
+   ```
+
+7. **Run the CLI demo:**
+   ```sh
+   python cli_demo_nomocks.py
+   ```
+
+## Notes
+- Linux/macOS: Manual setup only (no installer script yet)
+- PLECS must be installed and licensed for real simulation
+- For development, see `DEV_PLAN.md` and `incomplete_methods_inventory.md`
+
+---
+
+This guide provides a quickstart for setting up a development environment for PyPLECS. For more details, see the README and documentation files.

docs/DEV_PLAN.md

@@ -0,0 +1,122 @@
+I'll create a detailed development plan to improve the PyPLECS project based on my review. This will be a comprehensive roadmap addressing the identified issues and enhancement opportunities.I've created a comprehensive 16-week development plan to improve PyPLECS. The plan is structured in 5 phases, each with specific goals, deliverables, and timelines:
+
+## Plan Highlights:
+
+**Phase 1 (Weeks 1-4): Code Stabilization**
+- Fix all incomplete implementations and TODO items
+- Add robust error handling and exception management
+- Expand test coverage to 90%+
+- Establish CI/CD pipeline
+
+**Phase 2 (Weeks 5-7): Cross-Platform Support**
+- Create Linux and macOS installers
+- Implement cross-platform path management
+- Enhance configuration system
+- Add installation validation tools
+
+**Phase 3 (Weeks 8-10): Documentation**
+- Complete API documentation with Sphinx
+- Create user guides and tutorials
+- Add developer contribution guidelines
+- Document architecture and design patterns
+
+**Phase 4 (Weeks 11-13): Web Interface Enhancement**
+- Improve UI/UX with modern design
+- Expand REST API capabilities
+- Add workflow management features
+- Implement database backend
+
+**Phase 5 (Weeks 14-16): Performance & Advanced Features**
+- Optimize simulation performance
+- Add parameter optimization tools
+- Implement enterprise scalability features
+- Add security and compliance framework
+
+## Key Benefits of This Plan:
+
+1. **Risk Management**: Addresses critical stability issues first
+2. **User-Focused**: Prioritizes cross-platform support and documentation
+3. **Scalable**: Builds foundation for future enterprise features
+4. **Measurable**: Includes specific success metrics and deliverables
+5. **Practical**: Provides realistic timelines and resource requirements
+
+The plan balances immediate needs (fixing incomplete code) with long-term goals (advanced features and enterprise readiness). Would you like me to elaborate on any specific phase or create more detailed task breakdowns for particular areas?
+
+
+========================================
+
+
+I'll fetch and review the PyPLECS repository for you.Let me also look at the repository structure and some key files to provide a comprehensive review.Based on my review of the PyPLECS repository, here's my comprehensive assessment:
+
+## PyPLECS Repository Review
+
+### **Overview**
+PyPLECS is a Python package designed to interface with PLECS (Piecewise Linear Electrical Circuit Simulation) software, providing automation capabilities for power electronics simulations. The project has evolved into a comprehensive solution with both core library functionality and a modern web-based interface.
+
+### **Strengths**
+
+**Architecture & Design**
+- Well-structured project with clear separation between core library, web GUI, and orchestration tools
+- Modern FastAPI-based web interface with WebSocket real-time updates
+- Support for both sequential and parallel simulation orchestration
+- Built-in caching system using Parquet format for simulation results
+
+**User Experience**
+- Comprehensive Windows installer script that automates environment setup
+- Multiple configuration options and automatic PLECS path detection
+- Web-based monitoring interface with dashboard, simulation manager, and cache monitor
+- CLI helper tools for configuration and environment checks
+
+**Technical Implementation**
+- Uses XML-RPC to communicate with PLECS Standalone server
+- Supports Python 3.8+ with 3.10+ recommended
+- Comprehensive test suite with pytest integration
+- Proper dependency management with requirements.txt and pyproject.toml
+
+### **Areas for Improvement**
+
+**Code Quality Issues**
+- Incomplete implementations with "TODO" comments and "Not implemented mode" exceptions
+- Some methods appear truncated or incomplete in the main pyplecs.py file
+- Inconsistent naming conventions (e.g., `load_model_vars` vs `load_modelvars`)
+
+**Documentation Gaps**
+- While the README is comprehensive for setup, the API documentation could be more detailed
+- Missing docstrings for many methods and classes
+- Limited examples showing different simulation scenarios
+
+**Platform Limitations**
+- Heavy focus on Windows with PowerShell-based installer
+- Cross-platform manual setup available but less automated
+
+### **Notable Features**
+
+**Automation Capabilities**
+- Multiple simulation modes: high-priority process execution, XML-RPC server control, sequential simulations with different files, and GUI-based simulations
+- Cache system for avoiding redundant simulations
+- Parameter sweeps and batch processing capabilities
+
+**Integration Approach**
+- Leverages PLECS Standalone's built-in XML-RPC interface, which is the standard approach for external control
+- Follows established patterns similar to MATLAB scripting with PLECS
+
+### **Recommendations**
+
+1. **Code Completion**: Address the incomplete implementations and TODO items, particularly in the core pyplecs.py file
+
+2. **Documentation Enhancement**: Add comprehensive API documentation, usage examples, and tutorials beyond the installation guide
+
+3. **Cross-Platform Support**: Improve Linux/macOS support with equivalent installer scripts
+
+4. **Error Handling**: Implement more robust error handling, especially for PLECS communication failures
+
+5. **Testing**: Expand test coverage beyond the basic unit tests mentioned
+
+### **Overall Assessment**
+
+PyPLECS appears to be a well-conceived project that addresses a real need in the power electronics simulation community. The modern web interface and orchestration capabilities set it apart from simple scripting approaches. However, the project shows signs of being in active development with some incomplete features.
+
+**Strengths**: Modern architecture, comprehensive automation features, good user experience design
+**Weaknesses**: Incomplete implementation in some areas, documentation gaps, platform-specific focus
+
+The project would benefit from code completion, enhanced documentation, and broader platform support to reach its full potential as a comprehensive PLECS automation solution.