openstudio-extension 0.1.0 → 0.1.1

data/lib/measures/openstudio_extension_test_measure/LICENSE.md

@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+OpenStudio(R), Copyright (c) 2008-2018, Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC. All rights reserved.
+
+Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted 
+provided that the following conditions are met:
+
+(1) Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions 
+and the following disclaimer.
+
+(2) Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of conditions
+and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+
+(3) Neither the name of the copyright holder nor the names of any contributors may be used to endorse 
+or promote products derived from this software without specific prior written permission from the 
+respective party.
+
+(4) Other than as required in clauses (1) and (2), distributions in any form of modifications or other 
+derivative works may not use the "OpenStudio" trademark, "OS", "os", or any other confusingly similar 
+designation without specific prior written permission from Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.
+
+THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED 
+WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A 
+PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER, THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, 
+OR ANY CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL 
+DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, 
+OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, 
+STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS 
+SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

data/lib/measures/openstudio_extension_test_measure/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+
+
+###### (Automatically generated documentation)
+
+# OpenStudio Extension Test Measure
+
+## Description
+
+
+## Modeler Description
+
+
+## Measure Type
+ModelMeasure
+
+## Taxonomy
+
+
+## Arguments
+
+
+
+
+This measure does not have any user arguments
+
+

data/lib/measures/openstudio_extension_test_measure/README.md.erb

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+<%#= README.md.erb is used to auto-generate README.md. %>
+<%#= To manually maintain README.md throw away README.md.erb and manually edit README.md %>
+###### (Automatically generated documentation)
+
+# <%= name %>
+
+## Description
+<%= description %>
+
+## Modeler Description
+<%= modelerDescription %>
+
+## Measure Type
+<%= measureType %>
+
+## Taxonomy
+<%= taxonomy %>
+
+## Arguments
+
+<% arguments.each do |argument| %>
+### <%= argument[:display_name] %>
+<%= argument[:description] %>
+**Name:** <%= argument[:name] %>,
+**Type:** <%= argument[:type] %>,
+**Units:** <%= argument[:units] %>,
+**Required:** <%= argument[:required] %>,
+**Model Dependent:** <%= argument[:model_dependent] %>
+<% end %>
+
+<% if arguments.size == 0 %>
+<%= "This measure does not have any user arguments" %>
+<% end %>
+
+<% if outputs.size > 0 %>
+## Outputs
+<% output_names = [] %>
+<% outputs.each do |output| %>
+<% output_names << output[:display_name] %>
+<% end %>
+<%= output_names.join(", ") %>
+<% end %>

data/lib/measures/openstudio_extension_test_measure/measure.rb

@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+# *******************************************************************************
+# OpenStudio(R), Copyright (c) 2008-2019, Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.
+# All rights reserved.
+# Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+# modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+#
+# (1) Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice,
+# this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+#
+# (2) Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice,
+# this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation
+# and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+#
+# (3) Neither the name of the copyright holder nor the names of any contributors
+# may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software without
+# specific prior written permission from the respective party.
+#
+# (4) Other than as required in clauses (1) and (2), distributions in any form
+# of modifications or other derivative works may not use the "OpenStudio"
+# trademark, "OS", "os", or any other confusingly similar designation without
+# specific prior written permission from Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.
+#
+# THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER(S) AND ANY CONTRIBUTORS
+# "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
+# THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
+# ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER(S), ANY CONTRIBUTORS, THE
+# UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, OR THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, NOR ANY OF
+# THEIR EMPLOYEES, BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL,
+# EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT
+# OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS
+# INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT,
+# STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY
+# OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+# *******************************************************************************
+
+begin
+  #load OpenStudio measure libraries from common location
+  require 'openstudio/extension/core/os_lib_helper_methods'
+rescue LoadError
+  # common location unavailable, load from local resources
+  require_relative 'resources/os_lib_helper_methods'
+end
+
+# start the measure
+class OpenStudioExtensionTestMeasure < OpenStudio::Measure::ModelMeasure
+  # define the name that a user will see
+  def name 
+    return 'OpenStudio Extension Test Measure'
+  end
+
+  # define the arguments that the user will input
+  def arguments(model)
+    args = OpenStudio::Measure::OSArgumentVector.new
+
+    return args
+  end
+
+  # define what happens when the measure is run
+  def run(model, runner, user_arguments)
+    super(model, runner, user_arguments)
+
+    # use the built-in error checking
+    if !runner.validateUserArguments(arguments(model), user_arguments)
+      return false
+    end
+
+    return true
+  end
+end
+
+# this allows the measure to be used by the application
+OpenStudioExtensionTestMeasure.new.registerWithApplication

data/lib/measures/openstudio_extension_test_measure/measure.xml

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+<measure>
+  <schema_version>3.0</schema_version>
+  <name>openstudio_extension_test_measure</name>
+  <uid>36b99a29-41e1-4d85-9272-85d43b966e5a</uid>
+  <version_id>e9fedf04-7619-4c93-a865-0e54adfe3507</version_id>
+  <version_modified>20190430T155209Z</version_modified>
+  <xml_checksum>49BEF039</xml_checksum>
+  <class_name>OpenStudioExtensionTestMeasure</class_name>
+  <display_name>OpenStudio Extension Test Measure</display_name>
+  <description>Rotate your building relative to its current orientation. This will not rotate site shading objects.</description>
+  <modeler_description>Get the North Axis field for the  OS:Building object and adjusted it based on the user specified value. If the starting value is 20 degrees and the user value is 5 degrees, then the resulting value is 25 degrees.</modeler_description>
+  <arguments/>
+  <outputs/>
+  <provenances/>
+  <tags>
+    <tag>Envelope.Form</tag>
+  </tags>
+  <attributes>
+    <attribute>
+      <name>Measure Type</name>
+      <value>ModelMeasure</value>
+      <datatype>string</datatype>
+    </attribute>
+    <attribute>
+      <name>Measure Function</name>
+      <value>Measure</value>
+      <datatype>string</datatype>
+    </attribute>
+    <attribute>
+      <name>Requires EnergyPlus Results</name>
+      <value>false</value>
+      <datatype>boolean</datatype>
+    </attribute>
+    <attribute>
+      <name>Uses SketchUp API</name>
+      <value>false</value>
+      <datatype>boolean</datatype>
+    </attribute>
+  </attributes>
+  <files>
+    <file>
+      <filename>LICENSE.md</filename>
+      <filetype>md</filetype>
+      <usage_type>license</usage_type>
+      <checksum>9640B6CB</checksum>
+    </file>
+    <file>
+      <filename>README.md.erb</filename>
+      <filetype>erb</filetype>
+      <usage_type>readmeerb</usage_type>
+      <checksum>703C9964</checksum>
+    </file>
+    <file>
+      <filename>README.md</filename>
+      <filetype>md</filetype>
+      <usage_type>readme</usage_type>
+      <checksum>7258830F</checksum>
+    </file>
+    <file>
+      <filename>OpenStudioExtensionTestMeasure_Test.rb</filename>
+      <filetype>rb</filetype>
+      <usage_type>test</usage_type>
+      <checksum>8452EA9A</checksum>
+    </file>
+    <file>
+      <version>
+        <software_program>OpenStudio</software_program>
+        <identifier>2.0.0</identifier>
+        <min_compatible>2.0.0</min_compatible>
+      </version>
+      <filename>measure.rb</filename>
+      <filetype>rb</filetype>
+      <usage_type>script</usage_type>
+      <checksum>E5793A49</checksum>
+    </file>
+    <file>
+      <filename>os_lib_helper_methods.rb</filename>
+      <filetype>rb</filetype>
+      <usage_type>resource</usage_type>
+      <checksum>22515A49</checksum>
+    </file>
+  </files>
+</measure>

data/lib/measures/openstudio_extension_test_measure/resources/os_lib_helper_methods.rb

@@ -0,0 +1,399 @@
+# *******************************************************************************
+# OpenStudio(R), Copyright (c) 2008-2019, Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.
+# All rights reserved.
+# Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+# modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+#
+# (1) Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice,
+# this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+#
+# (2) Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice,
+# this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation
+# and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+#
+# (3) Neither the name of the copyright holder nor the names of any contributors
+# may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software without
+# specific prior written permission from the respective party.
+#
+# (4) Other than as required in clauses (1) and (2), distributions in any form
+# of modifications or other derivative works may not use the "OpenStudio"
+# trademark, "OS", "os", or any other confusingly similar designation without
+# specific prior written permission from Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.
+#
+# THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER(S) AND ANY CONTRIBUTORS
+# "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
+# THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
+# ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER(S), ANY CONTRIBUTORS, THE
+# UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, OR THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, NOR ANY OF
+# THEIR EMPLOYEES, BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL,
+# EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT
+# OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS
+# INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT,
+# STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY
+# OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+# *******************************************************************************
+
+module OsLib_HelperMethods
+  # populate choice argument from model objects
+  def self.populateChoiceArgFromModelObjects(model, modelObject_args_hash, includeBuilding = nil)
+    # populate choice argument for constructions that are applied to surfaces in the model
+    modelObject_handles = OpenStudio::StringVector.new
+    modelObject_display_names = OpenStudio::StringVector.new
+
+    # looping through sorted hash of constructions
+    modelObject_args_hash.sort.map do |key, value|
+      modelObject_handles << value.handle.to_s
+      modelObject_display_names << key
+    end
+
+    unless includeBuilding.nil?
+      # add building to string vector with space type
+      building = model.getBuilding
+      modelObject_handles << building.handle.to_s
+      modelObject_display_names << includeBuilding
+    end
+
+    result = { 'modelObject_handles' => modelObject_handles, 'modelObject_display_names' => modelObject_display_names }
+    return result
+  end
+
+  # create variables in run from user arguments
+  def self.createRunVariables(runner, model, user_arguments, arguments)
+    result = {}
+
+    error = false
+    # use the built-in error checking
+    unless runner.validateUserArguments(arguments, user_arguments)
+      error = true
+      runner.registerError('Invalid argument values.')
+    end
+
+    user_arguments.each do |argument|
+      # get argument info
+      arg = user_arguments[argument]
+      arg_type = arg.print.lines($/)[1]
+
+      # create argument variable
+      if arg_type.include? 'Double, Required'
+        eval("result[\"#{arg.name}\"] = runner.getDoubleArgumentValue(\"#{arg.name}\", user_arguments)")
+      elsif arg_type.include? 'Integer, Required'
+        eval("result[\"#{arg.name}\"] = runner.getIntegerArgumentValue(\"#{arg.name}\", user_arguments)")
+      elsif arg_type.include? 'String, Required'
+        eval("result[\"#{arg.name}\"] = runner.getStringArgumentValue(\"#{arg.name}\", user_arguments)")
+      elsif arg_type.include? 'Boolean, Required'
+        eval("result[\"#{arg.name}\"] = runner.getBoolArgumentValue(\"#{arg.name}\", user_arguments)")
+      elsif arg_type.include? 'Choice, Required'
+        eval("result[\"#{arg.name}\"] = runner.getStringArgumentValue(\"#{arg.name}\", user_arguments)")
+      else
+        puts 'not setup to handle all argument types yet, or any optional arguments'
+      end
+    end
+
+    if error
+      return false
+    else
+      return result
+    end
+  end
+
+  # check choice argument made from model objects
+  def self.checkChoiceArgFromModelObjects(object, variableName, to_ObjectType, runner, user_arguments)
+    apply_to_building = false
+    modelObject = nil
+    if object.empty?
+      handle = runner.getStringArgumentValue(variableName, user_arguments)
+      if handle.empty?
+        runner.registerError("No #{variableName} was chosen.") # this logic makes this not work on an optional model object argument
+      else
+        runner.registerError("The selected #{variableName} with handle '#{handle}' was not found in the model. It may have been removed by another measure.")
+      end
+      return false
+    else
+      if !eval("object.get.#{to_ObjectType}").empty?
+        modelObject = eval("object.get.#{to_ObjectType}").get
+      elsif !object.get.to_Building.empty?
+        apply_to_building = true
+      else
+        runner.registerError("Script Error - argument not showing up as #{variableName}.")
+        return false
+      end
+    end
+
+    result = { 'modelObject' => modelObject, 'apply_to_building' => apply_to_building }
+  end
+
+  # check choice argument made from model objects
+  def self.checkOptionalChoiceArgFromModelObjects(object, variableName, to_ObjectType, runner, user_arguments)
+    apply_to_building = false
+    modelObject = nil
+    if object.empty?
+      handle = runner.getOptionalStringArgumentValue(variableName, user_arguments)
+      if handle.empty?
+        # do nothing, this is a valid option
+        puts 'hello'
+        modelObject = nil
+        apply_to_building = false
+      else
+        runner.registerError("The selected #{variableName} with handle '#{handle}' was not found in the model. It may have been removed by another measure.")
+        return false
+      end
+    else
+      if !eval("object.get.#{to_ObjectType}").empty?
+        modelObject = eval("object.get.#{to_ObjectType}").get
+      elsif !object.get.to_Building.empty?
+        apply_to_building = true
+      else
+        runner.registerError("Script Error - argument not showing up as #{variableName}.")
+        return false
+      end
+    end
+
+    result = { 'modelObject' => modelObject, 'apply_to_building' => apply_to_building }
+  end
+
+  # check value of double arguments
+  def self.checkDoubleAndIntegerArguments(runner, user_arguments, arg_check_hash)
+    error = false
+
+    # get hash values
+    min = arg_check_hash['min']
+    max = arg_check_hash['max']
+    min_eq_bool = arg_check_hash['min_eq_bool']
+    max_eq_bool = arg_check_hash['max_eq_bool']
+
+    arg_check_hash['arg_array'].each do |argument|
+      argument = user_arguments[argument]
+
+      # get arg values
+      arg_value = nil
+      if argument.hasValue
+        arg_value = argument.valueDisplayName.to_f # instead of valueAsDouble so it allows integer arguments as well
+      elsif argument.hasDefaultValue
+        arg_value = argument.defaultValueDisplayName.to_f
+      end
+      arg_display = argument.displayName
+
+      unless min.nil?
+        if min_eq_bool
+          if arg_value < min
+            runner.registerError("Please enter value greater than or equal to #{min} for #{arg_display}.") # add in argument display name
+            error = true
+          end
+        else
+          if arg_value <= min
+            runner.registerError("Please enter value greater than #{min} for #{arg_display}.") # add in argument display name
+            error = true
+          end
+        end
+      end
+      unless max.nil?
+        if max_eq_bool
+          if arg_value > max
+            runner.registerError("Please enter value less than or equal to #{max} for #{arg_display}.") # add in argument display name
+            error = true
+          end
+        else
+          if arg_value >= max
+            runner.registerError("Please enter value less than #{max} for #{arg_display}.") # add in argument display name
+            error = true
+          end
+        end
+      end
+    end
+
+    # check for any errors
+    if error
+      return false
+    else
+      return true
+    end
+  end
+
+  # open channel to log info/warning/error messages
+  def self.setup_log_msgs(runner, debug = false)
+    # Open a channel to log info/warning/error messages
+    @msg_log = OpenStudio::StringStreamLogSink.new
+    if debug
+      @msg_log.setLogLevel(OpenStudio::Debug)
+    else
+      @msg_log.setLogLevel(OpenStudio::Info)
+    end
+    @start_time = Time.new
+    @runner = runner
+  end
+
+  # Get all the log messages and put into output
+  # for users to see.
+  def self.log_msgs
+    @msg_log.logMessages.each do |msg|
+      # DLM: you can filter on log channel here for now
+      if /openstudio.*/.match(msg.logChannel) # /openstudio\.model\..*/
+        # Skip certain messages that are irrelevant/misleading
+        next if msg.logMessage.include?('Skipping layer') || # Annoying/bogus "Skipping layer" warnings
+                msg.logChannel.include?('runmanager') || # RunManager messages
+                msg.logChannel.include?('setFileExtension') || # .ddy extension unexpected
+                msg.logChannel.include?('Translator') || # Forward translator and geometry translator
+                msg.logMessage.include?('UseWeatherFile') # 'UseWeatherFile' is not yet a supported option for YearDescription
+
+        # Report the message in the correct way
+        if msg.logLevel == OpenStudio::Info
+          @runner.registerInfo(msg.logMessage)
+        elsif msg.logLevel == OpenStudio::Warn
+          @runner.registerWarning("[#{msg.logChannel}] #{msg.logMessage}")
+        elsif msg.logLevel == OpenStudio::Error
+          @runner.registerError("[#{msg.logChannel}] #{msg.logMessage}")
+        elsif msg.logLevel == OpenStudio::Debug && @debug
+          @runner.registerInfo("DEBUG - #{msg.logMessage}")
+        end
+      end
+    end
+    @runner.registerInfo("Total Time = #{(Time.new - @start_time).round}sec.")
+  end
+
+  def self.check_upstream_measure_for_arg(runner, arg_name)
+    # 2.x methods (currently setup for measure display name but snake_case arg names)
+    arg_name_value = {}
+    runner.workflow.workflowSteps.each do |step|
+      if step.to_MeasureStep.is_initialized
+        measure_step = step.to_MeasureStep.get
+
+        measure_name = measure_step.measureDirName
+        if measure_step.name.is_initialized
+          measure_name = measure_step.name.get # this is instance name in PAT
+        end
+        if measure_step.result.is_initialized
+          result = measure_step.result.get
+          result.stepValues.each do |arg|
+            name = arg.name
+            value = arg.valueAsVariant.to_s
+            if name == arg_name
+              arg_name_value[:value] = value
+              arg_name_value[:measure_name] = measure_name
+              return arg_name_value # stop after find first one
+            end
+          end
+        else
+          # puts "No result for #{measure_name}"
+        end
+      else
+        # puts "This step is not a measure"
+      end
+    end
+
+    return arg_name_value
+  end
+
+  # populate choice argument from model objects. areaType should be string like "floorArea" or "exteriorArea"
+  # note: it seems like spaceType.floorArea does account for multiplier, so I don't have to call this method unless I have a custom collection of spaces.
+  def self.getAreaOfSpacesInArray(model, spaceArray, areaType = 'floorArea')
+    # find selected floor spaces, make array and get floor area.
+    totalArea = 0
+    spaceAreaHash = {}
+    spaceArray.each do |space|
+      spaceArea = eval("space.#{areaType}*space.multiplier")
+      spaceAreaHash[space] = spaceArea
+      totalArea += spaceArea
+    end
+
+    result = { 'totalArea' => totalArea, 'spaceAreaHash' => spaceAreaHash }
+    return result
+  end
+
+  # runs conversion and neat string, and returns value with units in string, optionally before or after the value
+  def self.neatConvertWithUnitDisplay(double, fromString, toString, digits, unitBefore = false, unitAfter = true, space = true, parentheses = true)
+    # convert units
+    doubleConverted = OpenStudio.convert(double, fromString, toString)
+    if !doubleConverted.nil?
+      doubleConverted = doubleConverted.get
+    else
+      puts "Couldn't convert values, check string choices passed in. From: #{fromString}, To: #{toString}"
+    end
+
+    # get neat version of converted
+    neatConverted = OpenStudio.toNeatString(doubleConverted, digits, true)
+
+    # add prefix
+    if unitBefore
+      if space == true && parentheses == true
+        prefix = "(#{toString}) "
+      elsif space == true && parentheses == false
+        prefix = "(#{toString})"
+      elsif space == false && parentheses == true
+        prefix = "#{toString} "
+      else
+        prefix = toString.to_s
+      end
+    else
+      prefix = ''
+    end
+
+    # add suffix
+    if unitAfter
+      if space == true && parentheses == true
+        suffix = " (#{toString})"
+      elsif space == true && parentheses == false
+        suffix = "(#{toString})"
+      elsif space == false && parentheses == true
+        suffix = " #{toString}"
+      else
+        suffix = toString.to_s
+      end
+    else
+      suffix = ''
+    end
+
+    finalString = "#{prefix}#{neatConverted}#{suffix}"
+
+    return finalString
+  end
+
+  # helper that loops through lifecycle costs getting total costs under "Construction" and add to counter if occurs during year 0
+  def self.getTotalCostForObjects(objectArray, category = 'Construction', onlyYearFromStartZero = true)
+    counter = 0
+    objectArray.each do |object|
+      object_LCCs = object.lifeCycleCosts
+      object_LCCs.each do |object_LCC|
+        if object_LCC.category == category
+          if onlyYearFromStartZero == false || object_LCC.yearsFromStart == 0
+            counter += object_LCC.totalCost
+          end
+        end
+      end
+    end
+
+    return counter
+  end
+
+  # helper that loops through lifecycle costs getting total costs under "Construction" and add to counter if occurs during year 0
+  def self.getSpaceTypeStandardsInformation(spaceTypeArray)
+    # hash of space types
+    spaceTypeStandardsInfoHash = {}
+
+    spaceTypeArray.each do |spaceType|
+      # get standards building
+      if !spaceType.standardsBuildingType.empty?
+        standardsBuilding = spaceType.standardsBuildingType.get
+      else
+        standardsBuilding = nil
+      end
+
+      # get standards space type
+      if !spaceType.standardsSpaceType.empty?
+        standardsSpaceType = spaceType.standardsSpaceType.get
+      else
+        standardsSpaceType = nil
+      end
+
+      # populate hash
+      spaceTypeStandardsInfoHash[spaceType] = [standardsBuilding, standardsSpaceType]
+    end
+
+    return spaceTypeStandardsInfoHash
+  end
+
+  # OpenStudio has built in toNeatString method
+  # OpenStudio::toNeatString(double,2,true)# double,decimals, show commas
+
+  # OpenStudio has built in helper for unit conversion. That can be done using OpenStudio::convert() as shown below.
+  # OpenStudio::convert(double,"from unit string","to unit string").get
+end