This set of instructions takes you through creating and deploying a Hub tool based on C code. It describes how to use the Rappture builder to quickly create a GUI to deploy your tool on the Hub.

For more information on the high-level process of deploying a tool, refer to [https://vhub.org/topics/vHUBtooldevelopmentworkflow vHub tool development workflow]

==Create the Code==

'''0.''' Develop a program (e.g. example.c) that accepts inputs and generates
outputs. Compile and test it on your local machine. 

==Upload and Test on the Hub==

'''1.''' On vhub.org, log in, access your [https://vhub.org/tools/workspace Workspace], and click Launch Tool. In the Workspace xterm, organize your home directory in the following way, by creating directories:
{{{
	~/apps/toolname/
		test/		- useful for testing basic tool code
					in this phase of dev
		repo/		- houses the local svn repository
					(checked-out code version)
}}}

For more information on the Hub tool directory structure, refer to [https://vhub.org/explore/topics/Hubtooldirectorystructure this vHub Topic]


'''2.'''  Upload the working source file (example.c) into ~/apps/toolname/test/ on the Hub. 

To upload, you can:
 * sftp from your local machine to www.vhub.org, using your vhub password. You will automatically be in your home directory on vhub. Use the ''put'' command to transfer your source file. 

 * Alternately, use [https://vhub.org/support/knowledgebase/tips/webdav webdav]  

Compile and test the basic tool in the vHub Workspace. Now that your code is uploaded, most of your tool creation work will take place in the Hub Workspace.

==Prepare the Repository==

'''3.'''  From the Hub Workspace, check out the Subversion directory structure into ~/apps/''toolname''/repo. From the ~/apps/''toolname'' directory:
{{{
	$ svn checkout https://vhub.org/tools/toolname/svn/trunk repo
}}}
This command creates the [https://vhub.org/explore/topics/Hubtooldirectorystructure correct directory structure] for the Tool.

[[Anchor(rappture-builder)]]
==Run Rappture Builder==

'''4.''' On vhub.org, access your Workspace and click Launch Tool. In the Workspace xterm, run rappture in
builder mode. This lets you use the rappture GUI to generate a GUI for your own program. From your ~/repo/rappture directory, run:

{{{
	$ rappture -builder
}}}

===Populate the GUI===

'''5.''' In the Rappture GUI, under Tool Interface, select "tool". Enter a Title and Description, and 
''select the appropriate programming language from the pull-down Program menu.'' This will instruct Rappture about which files to create.

'''6.''' Populate the Tool Interface Input and Output sections. Do this by dragging controls from
the left-hand palette and dropping them into the right hand panel. Rename the controls to match the names of your
inputs and outputs; update the Label and Description fields.

'''7.''' When the tool is populated, click Save As. From the dialog, select:
 * Tool Definition File
 * Skeleton Program
 * Makefile
Choose names for these files as appropriate. Click Save.

Rappture builder will save the following:
 * main.c (default name of the generated C program with inputs/outputs as indicated)
 * tool.xml (default name of tool definition file used to make the GUI)
 * Makefile (file with instructions for the C compiler)

[[Anchor(edit)]]
===Edit the Rappture Files===

'''8.''' In the Hub's Workspace xterm, edit (e.g. with ''vi'') the following files:

====main.c====
Rappture's generated source code. Its default name is main.c. Add functional code for your tool under "Add your code here..." section. 

====tool.xml====
Rappture's generated tool.xml. Ensure it points to the executable in the bin/ directory.

====Makefile==== 
Rappture's generated Makefile. Ensure that it installs the executable in bin/. Add whatever
	compile targets you like; clean, distclean, install, etc.

====invoke====
You may also want to look at [http://hubzero.org/documentation/1.0.0/tooldevs/invoke middleware/invoke]. This is the invocation script for your tool itself. Ensure the script is there; it may not need any alterations.

==Build and Test==

'''9.''' In the Hub's Workspace xterm, build and run the program (build from the src/ directory): 
{{{
	$ make
}}}

This creates your executable. To run it using the Rappture front end, issue the following from your
rappture/ directory:
{{{
	$ rappture
}}}

This should display the Rappture front end generated with the Rappture builder. The tool should run when you click Simulate. Troubleshoot and patch as needed.

===Invoke===

To test the tool using the invoke script that the Hub will use, issue the following command from your
repo/ directory:

{{{
	$ ./middleware/invoke
}}}

Once ''invoke'' works, you're ready to check the tool and GUI code into Subversion.

===Troubleshoot===

To troubleshoot the tool or workspace session you're running, refer to ~/data and its subdirectories,
sessions/ and results/. All user session data are written there.

==Check in the Code and Change Status==

'''10.''' Check the working tool in to the Hub repository using [http://nanohub.org/resources/3064/download/subversion.pdf Subversion]:

 * add all new files (main.c, tool.xml, Makefile, etc.) to Subversion, using the command: 
{{{
	$ svn add path1/name1 path2/name2
}}}
 * Commit all files to the Subversion repository, using the command: 
{{{
	$ svn commit
}}}

'''11.''' In the tool's [https://vhub.org/contribtool/ Contribtool] page, set its status as Uploaded. The administrator will Install it for testing in the Hub application area. 

The Hub application area for your tool is found at:
{{{
	/apps/toolname
}}}

These subdirectories are readable by the tool developer, and ''invoke'' calls can be issued there for troubleshooting.

==Rappture References==

 * [https://nanohub.org/infrastructure/rappture/wiki/rappture_xml_elements Rappture xml reference]

 * [https://nanohub.org/infrastructure/rappture/wiki/rappture_ccpp_api Rappture C API]

 * [https://nanohub.org/infrastructure/rappture/wiki/whatIsRappture Example: Rappture and Python]