2. Release notes

2.1. Introduction

DEVSIM download and installation instructions are located in Supported platforms. The following sections list bug fixes and enhancements over time. Contact information is listed in Contact. A file named CHANGES.md is now distributed with DEVSIM, which can contain additional details concerning a new release.

2.2. Version 2.9.0

2.2.1. Windows Python Support

The official python.org distribution is beter supported. This is since the python.org distribution does not appear to ship the zlib.dll.

2.2.2. VTK Writer

[#151](https://github.com/devsim/devsim/issues/151)

Use zlib from Python module instead of Anaconda zlib.dll or the system zlib for other operating systems. The compressed binary data written to the .vtu files should be numerically the same.

2.2.3. Clang build on Windows

While the Windows version is still built with Visual Studio 2022, the build system now supports building with the Clang compilers.

2.3. Version 2.8.4

2.3.1. Serialization of equation command

Write variable_update when writing the devsim.equation() command to the devsim file format.

2.3.2. Simulation Matrix

Fix issue [#148](https://github.com/devsim/devsim/issues/148) segmentation fault in devsim.get_matrix_and_rhs(). Matrix and RHS now printed in testing/cap2.py.

2.3.3. macOS Build

Fix issue [#149](https://github.com/devsim/devsim/issues/149) fix issue with macOS build scripts.

2.4. Version 2.8.3

2.4.1. Linux support

Due to the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 end of life on June 30, 2024, the minimum support level for Linux is now Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 using the AlmaLinux 8 based manylinux_2_28. Please see Supported platforms for more information.

2.4.2. Clang format

Add .clang-format file to provide assist automatic formatting for new source code.

2.4.3. Get equation command

Fixed issue [#145](https://github.com/devsim/devsim/issues/145). get_equation_command now provides the variable_update option that was used.

2.4.4. Exception propagation

Fixed issue where an internal C++ based exception, may not be caught properly on some platforms.

2.5. Version 2.8.2

2.5.1. Documentation refactor

The release notes section has been shortened to the most recent releases. Important information from the release notes was placed in the appropriate sections of the manual. The manual has also been reorganized. The pdf formatting has been improved to reduce the number of empty pages.

For older release notes, please refer to the Version 2.8.1 manual located at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.12211919. The latest version is available from https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4583208.

2.6. Version 2.8.1

2.6.1. Help files

Updated instructions. Added additional documentation files.

Table 2.1 Added documentation files
File	Purpose
`BUILD.md`	Building from source
`CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md`	Code of conduct
`TEST.md`	Testing instructions

2.6.2. Database command removal

The material database has been removed.

devsim.create_db
devsim.open_db
devsim.close_db
devsim.save_db
devsim.add_db_entry
devsim.get_db_entry

This feature was only being used in the bioapp1 examples, and those tests have been updated. This also removes the binary dependence on SQLite.

2.7. Version 2.8.0

2.7.1. `Python` scripts

Based on a contribution by [@simbilod](https://github.com/simbilod), all of the Python scripts have been reformatted. The build system was also updated to enforce Python script modifications are properly formatted when submitted to the project.

2.7.2. Data output

Reduction in data file sizes

Based on a contribution by [@simbilod](https://github.com/simbilod) devsim.write_devices() now supports reducing the file size of data files by allowing users to specify a callback function to reduce data usage. In this example, only the NetDoping field is written to the Tecplot data file.

devsim.write_devices(
    file="mesh2d_reduced.tec",
    type="tecplot",
    include_test=lambda x: x in ("NetDoping",),
)

FLOOPS data file output

The floops option for devsim.write_devices() has been removed.

2.7.3. Platform support

Windows build issue

During testing, it was found the Visual Studio 2022 builds were failing a test related to threading. This was found to be a problem with version 17.10, but not version 17.9. This affects the build automation, but should not affect the binary releases.

Centos 7 end of life

This is the last version to support Centos 7 before its end of life on June 30, 2024. After this date we will be moving to the AlmaLinux 8 based manylinux_2_28.

2.8. Previous releases