Methodology for developing reusable scheduler classes applicable for long term building energy simulation

The aim of this study is to accelerate developments of building simulation programs by using Object- Oriented programming. A reusable generalised scheduler classes and interfaces 1 ) for defining schedules in simulation programs were developed. ITermStructure2) the “interface” for a term structure was developed to make complex term structure general. By using a “Composite-Pattern”, all the  concrete term classes that implements ITermStructure could be integrated into a complex tree structure. By using the “Type parameter”, specifications of a schedule class should not be specified until a scheduler classes is declared and instantiated3 ) by a client code. Since the program codes developed in this research and a code made by a client were separated clearly, developed scheduler classes were generally applicable for long-term simulation programs. A concrete example of program, which uses the developed scheduler classes to control cooling tower’s operating schedules, was given. It demonstrates that the developed scheduler classes worked fine without any modifications by clients.