User interfaces | Cmdenv | Tkenv

User interfaces

OMNeT++ user interfaces are used with simulation execution. Their primary purpose is to make the inside of the model visible to the user, to start/stop simulation execution, and possibly allow the user intervene by changing variables/objects inside the model. This is very important in the development/debugging phase of the simulation project. Just as important, a hands-on experience allows the user to get a 'feel' about the model's behaviour. A nice graphical user interface can also be used to demonstrate how the model works internally.

OMNeT++ user interfaces is are separate libraries that connect to the simulation kernel and to the models via a well-defined interface. This means that any model can run under any user interface.

Currenly, two user interfaces are supported:

• Tkenv: Tk-based graphical, windowing user interface (X-Window, Win95, WinNT etc..)
• Cmdenv: command-line user interface for batch execution

You would typically test and debug your simulation under Tkenv, then do actual simulation experiments with Cmdenv which supports batch execution.

Tkenv

Tkenv is a portable graphical windowing user interface. Tkenv supports interactive execution of the simulation, tracing and debugging. Tkenv is recommended in the development stage of a simulation or for presentations, since it allows one to get a detailed picture of the state of simulation at any point of execution and to follow what happens inside the network. The most important feaures are:

• separate window for each module's text output
• scheduled messages can be watched in a window as simulation progresses
• event-by-event execution
• execution animation
• labelled breakpoints
• inspector windows to examine and alter objects and variables in the model
• graphical display of simulation results during execution. Results can be displayed as histograms or time-series diagrams.
• simulation can be restarted
• snapshots (detailed report about the model: objects, variables etc.)

When used together with a C++ debugger, it provides an excellent environment for testing and debugging. The possibility to display simulation results during execution can speed up the process of verifying the correct operation of the simulation program and provides a good environment for experimenting with the model during execution.

Practically all screenshots you find on this site have been taken with Tkenv.

Portability: all platforms where Tcl/Tk has been ported.

Cmdenv

The command line user interface is a small, portable and fast user interface that compiles and runs on all platforms whether it is Unix or Windows console. Cmdenv is designed primarily for batch execution.

Cmdenv uses simply executes all simulation runs that are described in the configuration file.

History

Historical user interface preceding Tkenv were TVEnv (under DOS, based on Turbo Vision) and XEnv (written in plain Motif).