Two Ways to Run GraphSynth

this page is a mirror of the file found in the source code: GraphSynth/GraphSynthSourceFiles/Resources/RunningGSFromSource.htm

Recent changes allow one to run GraphSynth as a console application or with
"Windows Presentation Foundation" Graphics in a rich GUI that allows for
viewing, editing, and testing different graph and rule concepts. The Console
approach is useful for running on experiments where the rules, rulesets, ang
other graphs do not need to be edited. The final results can still be saved to
new graph and candidate files. The premise of the code is that you will run a
particular search plugin on the loaded seed and rulesets.
This method also allows one to run GraphSynth on Linux or Apple computers.

In the current GraphSynth.sln setup, there are four solution folders (note:
solution folders are not fully supported in Express Editions). The "Solution
Items" folder (which will definitely not show up in Express editions), contains
this file, and other assorted data, icon, and text files. Then you will note the
"Console Version" (includes 3 projects), the "WPF GUI Version" (includes 4
projects), and the "Default Plugins" folders (includes 2 projects). This
structure of nine projects is slightly different from what you see in the actual
folders. This is becuase BaseClasses and Representation projects are nearly the
same for the console and gui versions - mostly the differences lie in settings
in the .csproj files. The default plugins only work in the gui-version since
these involve some interactive and visualization elements.

Instructions on Running GraphSynth in the Console

This involves the three projects listed here:

• GraphSynthConsole
• GraphSynthConsole.Representation
• GraphSynthConsole.BaseClasses

all the other projects can be ignored/removed.

This has been greatly simplified from the version posted in early September
(9/2011). All binaries are written to the common bin directory. 

Procedure:

1. Set GraphSynthConsole as the start-up project - this is optional now
   • right-click on the GraphSynthConsole project in the Solution Explorer and select
     "Set as StartUp Project"
   • why is this optional? if you have the GraphSynth gui-version as the default it
     will work anyway since all binaries are written to the same bin directory and
     the exectubles have the same name: GraphSynth.exe.
2. Change the Solution Configuration to "Console Debug"
   • right-click on the solution in the Solution Explorer (very first item, "Solution
     'GraphSynth' (9 projects)."
   • select "Configuration Manager..."
   • In the upper-left drop-down menu entitled, "Active solution configuration:"
     choose "Console Debug"
   • an easier way to do this is simply choose "Console Debug" in the drop-down
     attached to the Standard toolbar.
3. if you just change Solution Configuration - make sure you re-build!
   This is because binaries may not seem out-of-date to Visual Studio, since they
   are all in the same directory.

Running the Application

This simply loads the same settings file (*.gsconfig file) that is used in the
full version. You can also supply an alternative .gsconfig file. Again, the
premise is simply to run plugins on the loaded seed and rulesets. Choose which
   plugin to run...and that's it. Verbosity may be changed at the onset but not
during the process.

Instructions on Running GraphSynth as a Windows GUI application

This involves
the four projects listed here:

• GraphSynth
• GraphSynth.CustomControls
• GraphSynth.Representation
• GraphSynth.BaseClasses

but the compilation can also make use of the two default plugins:

• GraphSynth.GraphLayoutBasic
• GraphSynth.UserRandLindChoose

Procedure:

1. Set GraphSynth as the start-up project - this is optional now
   • right-click on the GraphSynth project in the Solution Explorer and select
     "Set as StartUp Project"
   • why is this optional? if you have the GraphSynthConsole-version as the default
     it will work anyway since all binaries are written to the same bin directory and
     the exectubles have the same name: GraphSynth.exe.
2. Change the Solution Configuration to "WPF GUI Debug"
   • right-click on the solution in the Solution Explorer (very first item, "Solution
     'GraphSynth' (9 projects)."
   • select "Configuration Manager..."
   • In the upper-left drop-down menu entitled, "Active solution configuration:"
     choose "WPF GUIDebug"
   • an easier way to do this is simply choose "WPF GUIDebug" in the drop-down
     attached to the Standard toolbar.
3. if you just change Solution Configuration - make sure you re-build!
   This is because binaries may not seem out-of-date to Visual Studio, since they
   are all in the same directory.

Running the Application

This opens the GUI windows and any files specificed in the default
   GraphSynthSettings.gsconfig file. For more information on using the program see
http://www.GraphSynth.com/help.

Please send any concerns to 
admin@GraphSynth.com