Words used here¶
Every word you meet on this site, in one line.
| Word | Meaning in one line |
|---|---|
| solver | a program that computes the physics |
| backend | one such program, as openPASO sees it |
| finite element method | cutting an object into small pieces and solving piece by piece |
| mesh | the set of small pieces |
| element | one piece of the mesh |
| boundary condition | what you fix at the edges: a temperature, a force, a fixed wall |
| refine the mesh | use more and smaller pieces, for a more accurate answer |
| mesh independence | the answer stops changing when you refine further — a good sign |
| convergence rate / order | how fast the error shrinks as you refine |
| coupling | two solvers working on one problem, exchanging values at their shared boundary |
| verification | checking that the numbers are computed correctly |
| validation | checking that the model matches the real world — not done here |
| MCP | the standard plug that connects tools to AI apps |
| git | the tool that downloads this project's files (git clone) |
| pip | the tool that installs Python packages |
| compiler | a program that turns source code into something your machine can run. Some packages need one |
| venv | a private Python folder for one project's packages |
pip install -e . |
install the project in this folder (.) so your edits take effect straight away (-e) |
| PYTHONPATH | tells Python which folder to find openPASO's code in |
| VIRTUAL_ENV | tells programs which private Python folder to use |
| PYVISTA_OFF_SCREEN | draws pictures without opening a window, so it works on a machine with no screen |
| langgraph | the library that lets an AI model use tools in a loop; only Option B needs it |
| Gmsh | the program openPASO uses to build meshes |
| preCICE | a separate library for coupling two solvers; an alternative to openPASO's own couple |
| wheel | a ready-built Python package that pip downloads instead of compiling |
| YAML, XML | two other text formats for settings; some solvers use these instead of JSON |
| MPI / mpi4py | the standard way programs split work across many processors |
| ldd | a command that prints which system libraries your machine has |
| DSMC | a particle method for gas so thin that the usual flow equations stop working |
| JSON | a text format for settings. Every bracket, quote and comma must match, or the whole file is ignored |
| binary | a program you can run, already compiled — you do not build it yourself |
| interpreter | the python program itself; several can be installed side by side |
| prompt (terminal) | the text your terminal shows before you type, such as $. Not the same as the question you ask an AI |
| fork | a copy of a project developed separately |
| conda | another tool for private Python folders, like venv. FEniCSx needs it |
| agent | an AI model that can use tools by itself, not only write text |
| server | the background program the AI app talks to; openPASO is one |
| environment variable | a setting your terminal passes to a program. export NAME=value sets one, and it is forgotten when you close the terminal |
| API key | a password that lets a program use a paid AI service |
| OpenRouter | a service giving one key access to many AI models |
| tool support | whether a model is able to call tools. Not every model is |
| Poisson equation | a standard textbook problem used to check that a solver works |
| unit square | the square from 0 to 1 in both directions, the usual test shape |
| participant | one side of a coupled problem: a small script for one solver |
| interface | the boundary two coupled halves share |
| manufactured solution | a problem built backwards from a known answer, so the error can be measured |