1. Getting Started with pyHS2MF6¶
The py in pyHS2MF6 denotes the Python programming language. If you are new to Python,
“Python is a clear and powerful object-oriented programming language, comparable to Perl, Ruby, Scheme, or Java.”
You will not have to program in Python to run a coupled model with pyHS2MF6. But, because it is primarily written in Python, you will have to run pyHS2MF6 using the Python 3 interpreter. The interpreter
“is the program that reads Python programs and carries out their instructions; you need it before you can do any Python programming.”
Installation provides a lengthy laundry list of things that need to be done before you can use pyHS2MF6 on your computer. The first item on the list is installation of a Python distribution. The Anaconda Individual Edition is the recommended distribution, but you can use any Python distribution under the caveats provided in Installation.
1.1. Python Programming¶
Although you do not need to know how to program in Python to run pyHS2MF6, you will find rudimentary programming skills helpful for creating model inputs and processing model outputs. pyHS2MF6 was created under the assumption that users would employ some combination of the following Python-based toolkits for setting up model inputs and processing model outputs.
There is no graphical user interface (GUI) for pyHS2MF6. For this type of an application, a GUI would just lead to a severe case of carpal tunnel from the numerous mouse clicks required to parameterize a model based on a three-dimensional, computational grid, like MODFLOW 6. And, it would likely be seizure inducing from all of the monitor refresh flashes needed for rendering when zooming with the mouse scroll wheel.
1.2. Next Steps¶
Installation: Install and configure all of the requirements
Coupled Mode Example Model: Understand the requirments to go from existing, standalone HSPF and MODFLOW 6 models to a coupled mode pyHS2MF6 simulation