OpenDA installation

On this page we explain how to install OpenDA on different platforms.

Windows installation

With the following instructions, the OpenDA software can be installed on a Windows machine:

  • Download the OpenDA binaries. Note that the OpenDA binaries include a 64-bit Java 11 (or newer) installation to be used by the program.

  • Extract the OpenDA distribution file to the desired location on your computer. Note: OpenDA does not work when it is installed on a location with a space in the path (like “My Documents”).

  • Open the OpenDA GUI by clicking the file oda_run_gui.bat in the folder <path_to_openda_release>/bin.

  • Try to run an example.

Linux installation

With the following instructions, the OpenDA software can be installed on a Linux machine:

  • Download the OpenDA binaries.

  • Download a 64-bit Java 11 (or newer) installation via the package manager.

  • Extract the OpenDA distribution file to the desired location on your computer. Note: OpenDA does not work when it is installed on a location with a space in the path (like “My Documents”).

  • Several system variables need to be set before OpenDA can be run.

    • The first variable that should be set is $OPENDADIR. This variable should point to the bin directory of your OpenDA installation:

      export OPENDADIR=<path_to_openda_release>/bin

      (make sure not adding a / after bin). By adding this line to the ~/.bashrc file, this is done automatically each time a shell is launched.

    • Other local settings are configured using a script in the bin directory. There is a default local-settings script that might work out of the box for your system. You can use this script by typing . $OPENDADIR/settings_local.sh linux (mind the .). If that does not work, then the following steps should be executed:

      • Check your hostname, using the hostname command;

      • Copy the file $OPENDADIR/settings_local_base.sh to a new file named settings_local_<hostname>.sh in the same directory.

      • Then edit that file: enable the relevant lines and change the values of the environment variables.

      • Finally, execute this script by . $OPENDADIR/settings_local_<hostname>.sh.

  • The OpenDA GUI can be opened by running oda_run.sh -gui in the folder <path_to_openda_release>/bin. Optionally the path to the .oda file can be supplied as an argument, which will open that OpenDA configuration (oda_run.sh -gui <path_to_oda_file>).

  • Try to run an example.

Mac installation

With the following instructions, the OpenDA software can be installed on a Mac machine:

  • Download the Linux OpenDA binaries (these binaries also work for a Mac).

  • Download a 64-bit Java 11 (or newer) installation for Mac here.

  • Extract the OpenDA distribution file to the desired location on your computer. Note: OpenDA does not work when it is installed on a location with a space in the path (like “My Documents”).

  • Several system variables need to be set before OpenDA can be run.

    • The first variable that should be set is $OPENDADIR. This variable should point to the bin directory of your OpenDA installation:

      export OPENDADIR=<path_to_openda_release>/bin

      (make sure not adding a / after bin). By adding this line to the ~/.bashrc file, this is done automatically each time a shell is launched.

    • Other local settings are configured using a script in the bin directory. There is a default local-settings script that might work out of the box for your system. You can use this script by typing . $OPENDADIR/settings_local.sh mac (mind the .). If that does not work, then the following steps should be executed:

      • Check your hostname, using the hostname command;

      • Copy the file $OPENDADIR/settings_local_base.sh to a new file named settings_local_<hostname>.sh in the same directory.

      • Then edit that file: enable the relevant lines and change the values of the environment variables.

      • Finally, execute this script by . $OPENDADIR/settings_local_<hostname>.sh.

  • The OpenDA GUI can be opened by running oda_run.sh -gui in the folder <path_to_openda_release>/bin. Optionally the path to the .oda file can be supplied as an argument, which will open that OpenDA configuration (oda_run.sh -gui <path_to_oda_file>).

  • Try to run an example.