Model Like a Programmer 2: More Tools and Techniques for Greater Productivity

The field of computer programming offers numerous tools and techniques for manipulating text files, processing data, and automating workflows. Many of these prac- tices can be directly applied to building energy model- ing. In this paper we introduce three techniques from the software engineering world that we have applied to our modeling work to achieve greater productivity: automated document generation, automated chart generation, and build automation. Document generation (e.g., for creating client reports) can be automated using a markup language such as Markdown or LATEX to generate professional- looking PDF files. Automatic chart generation uses plot- ting libraries from scripting languages to produce beau- tiful data visualizations. Build automation uses "build tools" to manage the tasks to be done and their execu- tion order. When used together, they provide a powerful workflow to enhance any modeling project.