SOFiSTiK Documentation and Resources

https://docs.sofistik.com/2026/en/
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### Locate Example Files

Source: https://docs.sofistik.com/2026/en/cdb_interfaces/python/examples/python_example2.html

Path to the example directory within the SOFiSTiK installation.

```text
C:\<sofistik_installation>\2026\SOFiSTiK 2026\interfaces\examples\python\python_3.x\read_nodes
```

--------------------------------

### Locate Example Project

Source: https://docs.sofistik.com/2026/en/cdb_interfaces/vb_net/configure.html

Path to the pre-defined example project included with the SOFiSTiK installation.

```text
C:\<sofistik_installation>\2026\SOFiSTiK 2026\interfaces\examples\vb.net\connect_to_cdb
```

--------------------------------

### CDB Path Example

Source: https://docs.sofistik.com/2026/en/cdb_interfaces/python/examples/python_example5.html

The path to the Python project example.

```text
C:\<sofistik_installation>\2026\SOFiSTiK 2026\interfaces\examples\python\python_3.x\number2text
```

--------------------------------

### Locate Python CDB Example

Source: https://docs.sofistik.com/2026/en/cdb_interfaces/python/examples/python_example1.html

Path to the directory containing the connect_to_cdb.py example file.

```text
C:\<sofistik_installation>\2026\SOFiSTiK 2026\interfaces\examples\python\python_3.x\connect_to_cdb
```

--------------------------------

### Example project path

Source: https://docs.sofistik.com/2026/en/cdb_interfaces/c_sharp/examples/c_sharp_example1.html

The local directory path containing the C# example project files.

```text
C:\sofistik_installation\2024\SOFiSTiK 2024\interfaces\examples\c#\connect_to_cdb
```

--------------------------------

### Locate C++ example project

Source: https://docs.sofistik.com/2026/en/cdb_interfaces/cpp/examples/cpp_example5.html

Path to the C++ example project for decoding loadcase titles.

```text
C:\<sofistik_installation>\2026\SOFiSTiK 2026\interfaces\examples\c++\number2text
```

--------------------------------

### Connect to CDB Example

Source: https://docs.sofistik.com/2026/en/cdb_interfaces/fortran/examples/fortran_example1.html

Demonstrates the basic workflow of initializing a CDB connection, checking its status, and closing it. Ensure the file path is correctly set for your environment.

```fortran
program connect_to_CDB
implicit none

! Variables
integer :: nid, l, ie, index, istat
character(len=30)   :: filename
character(len=72)   :: text

index = 99
! input here the CDB name or the CDB path
filename = "S:\test\connect_to_cdb.cdb"

! Connect to CDB
! In this example 64bit debug DLL is used
call cdinit(filename, index)
if (nid > 0) then
    write(*,*) "  cdb_init of ", filename," succesfull ", nid
else
    write(*,*) "  cdb_init of ", filename," not succesfull ", nid
endif

! Check status
call cdstat(index, istat)
print *, "CDB status is: ", istat

! Lets close the CDB now
call cdclose(0)

! Check status again, if closed, status = 0
call cdstat(index, istat)
print *, "CDB status is: ", istat

! Press <ENTER> key to close the program
print *, "Press <ENTER> key to close the program"
read (*,*)

end program connect_to_CDB
```

--------------------------------

### Example SOFISTIK.DEF Configuration

Source: https://docs.sofistik.com/2026/en/fea/basic/def_env_variable.html

A sample configuration file content defining various SOFiSTiK environment variables.

```text
SOFISTIK_C=49
GRAFSIZE=SIZE -HP 0
HEAD1=New HQ of Xyz-Insurance-Company
CDBASEVER=503
```

--------------------------------

### Workbook Configuration Path

Source: https://docs.sofistik.com/2026/en/cdb_interfaces/vba/examples/vba_example1.html

The default directory path for the configured workbook example within the SOFiSTiK installation.

```text
C:\<sofistik_installation>\2026\SOFiSTiK 2026\interfaces\examples\vba\configure_workbook
```

--------------------------------

### Download products to a local repository

Source: https://docs.sofistik.com/2026/en/administration/installation/offline_mirror.html

Example command to download specific product groups into a designated target directory.

```bash
"C:\Program Files\SOFiSTiK\common\SOFiSTiK Application Manager (SAM)\sam_mirror.exe" --source https://sam.sofistik.io -g tools -g fea-2025 -g soficad-2025 -g bimapps-2025 --target "C:\sofistik_mirror"
```

--------------------------------

### Command line syntax for starting a single program

Source: https://docs.sofistik.com/2026/en/fea/calculation/start_single_program.html

Use this syntax to execute a program directly, providing the input filename and optional parameters.

```text
program filename [-parm] [projekt]
```

--------------------------------

### Example of @KEY missing KWL error

Source: https://docs.sofistik.com/2026/en/cdb_interfaces/cadinp/template/at_key.html

An example of an error message when a number is required at KWL.

```text
+++++ error no. 10144 in program SOF_VAR
This index @KEY requires an explicit definition of a number at KWL
```

--------------------------------

### cdinit (Fortran)

Source: https://docs.sofistik.com/2026/en/cdb_interfaces/introduction/about_cdb/functions/sof_cdb_init.html

Initializes the connection to a CDB file in Fortran.

```APIDOC
## cdinit (Fortran)

### Description
Connects to a CDB file, making it the active database. This function must be called before any other activity is performed on the database.

### Signature
`subroutine cdinit(FileName, index)`

### Parameters
- **FileName** (character) - Required - The complete path to the CDB file.
- **index** (integer) - Required - The initialization type (input) and the resulting connection index (output).
```

--------------------------------

### Example of @KEY error message

Source: https://docs.sofistik.com/2026/en/cdb_interfaces/cadinp/template/at_key.html

An example of an error message generated when a structure is missing for the specified key.

```text
+++++ error no. 10143 in program SOF_VAR
CDBASE.CDB does not contain a suitable structure for @KEY STU5
```

--------------------------------

### Python CDB Access Example

Source: https://docs.sofistik.com/2026/en/cdb_interfaces/python/examples/python_example5.html

Example demonstrating how to use the sof_lib_ps2cs function via Python using ctypes.

```python
# +============================================================================+
# | Company:   SOFiSTiK AG                                                     |
# | Version:   SOFiSTIK 2026                                                   |
# +============================================================================+

################################################################################
# ABOUT:
# In this example we will show how to use the sof_lib_ps2cs() function
# sof_lib_ps2cs() converts integer values to string

# import all types from sofistik_daten.py, original file can be found by following
# --> examples/python/sofistik_daten.py
from sofistik_daten import *
import os                     # for the environment variable necessary
import platform               # checks the python platform
from ctypes import *          # read the functions from the cdb

# This example has been tested with Python 3.7 (64-bit)
print("The path variable=", os.environ["Path"])

# Check the python platform (32bit or 64bit)
print("Python architecture=", platform.architecture())
sofPlatform = str(platform.architecture())

# Get the DLLs (32bit or 64bit DLL)
if sofPlatform.find("32Bit") < 0:
    # Set environment variable for the dll files
    print ("Hint: 64bit DLLs are used")

    # Set DLL dir path - new in PY 3.8 for ctypes
    # See: https://docs.python.org/3/whatsnew/3.8.html#ctypes
    os.add_dll_directory(r"C:\sofistik_installation\2026\SOFiSTiK 2026\interfaces\64bit")
    os.add_dll_directory(r"C:\sofistik_installation\2026\SOFiSTiK 2026")

    # Get the DLL functions
    myDLL = cdll.LoadLibrary("sof_cdb_w-2026.dll")
    py_sof_cdb_get = cdll.LoadLibrary("sof_cdb_w-2026.dll").sof_cdb_get
    py_sof_cdb_get.restype = c_int

    py_sof_cdb_kenq = cdll.LoadLibrary("sof_cdb_w-2026.dll").sof_cdb_kenq_ex
    py_sof_lib_ps2cs = cdll.LoadLibrary("sof_cdb_w-2026.dll").sof_lib_ps2cs
    py_sof_lib_cs2ps = cdll.LoadLibrary("sof_cdb_w-2026.dll").sof_lib_cs2ps
else:
    # Set environment variable for the DLL files
    print ("Hint: 32bit DLLs are used")

    # Set DLL dir path - new in PY 3.8 for ctypes
    # See: https://docs.python.org/3/whatsnew/3.8.html#ctypes
    os.add_dll_directory(r"C:\sofistik_installation\2026\SOFiSTiK 2026\interfaces\32bit")
    os.add_dll_directory(r"C:\sofistik_installation\2026\SOFiSTiK 2026")

    # Get the DLL functions
    myDLL = cdll.LoadLibrary("cdb_w31.dll")
    py_sof_cdb_get = cdll.LoadLibrary("cdb_w31.dll").sof_cdb_get
    py_sof_cdb_get.restype = c_int

    py_sof_cdb_kenq = cdll.LoadLibrary("cdb_w31.dll").sof_cdb_kenq_ex
    py_sof_lib_ps2cs = cdll.LoadLibrary("cdb_w31.dll").sof_lib_ps2cs
    py_sof_lib_cs2ps = cdll.LoadLibrary("cdb_w31.dll").sof_lib_cs2ps

# Connect to CDB
Index = c_int()
cdbIndex = 99

# Set the CDB Path
# e.g. fileName = "S:\\test\\read_nodes.cdb"
fileName = r"S:\test\155852\155852.cdb"

# important: Unicode call!
Index.value = myDLL.sof_cdb_init(fileName.encode('utf-8'), cdbIndex)

cdbStat = c_int()  # get the CDB status
cdbStat.value = myDLL.sof_cdb_status(Index.value)

# Print the Status of the CDB
print("CDB Status:", cdbStat.value)

pos = c_int(0)
datalen = c_int(0)

ie = c_int(0)
datalen.value = sizeof(CLC_CTRL)
RecLen = c_int(sizeof(clc_ctrl))

# 17 array elements × 4 + include 0 (17*4+1)
s = create_string_buffer(17*4+1)

"""
do while ie == 0, see cdbase.chm, Returnvalue.
    = 0 -> No error
    = 1 -> Item is longer than Data
    = 2 -> End of file reached
    = 3 -> Key does not exist
"""
while ie.value < 2:
    ie.value = py_sof_cdb_get(Index, 12, 1, byref(clc_ctrl), byref(RecLen), 1)

    if ie.value < 2:
        myDLL.sof_lib_ps2cs(byref(clc_ctrl.m_rtex), byref(s), sizeof(s))
        print(s.value)

    # Always read the length of record before sof_cdb_get is called
    RecLen = c_int(sizeof(clc_ctrl))

# Close the CDB, 0 - will close all the files
myDLL.sof_cdb_close(0)

# Print again the status of the CDB, if status = 0 -> CDB Closed successfully
cdbStat.value = myDLL.sof_cdb_status(Index.value)
if cdbStat.value == 0:
    print("CDB closed successfully, status = 0")
```

--------------------------------

### Job History Output Examples

Source: https://docs.sofistik.com/2026/en/fea/calculation/job_history.html

Examples of how job information appears in the data echo based on different PSJOBINFO settings.

```text
PROG AQUA
$ Datafile: D:\STATIC\P00\DAT0.DAT (.#01) 14:48:48 25/05/95
HEAD ...
```

```text
PROG AQUA
$ Datafile: D:\STATIC\P00\DAT0.DAT (.#01) 25/05/95
$ Jobnumber: PC-Nr:17/8700063 14:48:48
HEAD ...
```

--------------------------------

### SOFiCAD_USR.bdd configuration examples

Source: https://docs.sofistik.com/2026/en/soficad/cmdref/k/einstellungen/benutzerdefinition.html

Examples of lines in the SOFiCAD_USR.bdd file used to define layer settings and text heights. Remove the leading semicolon to activate the configuration.

```text
; Steelwork Light
; Layer
;14 0 String "T__KONS"
```

```text
; text height
15 0 Real 3.5
```

--------------------------------

### Using sof_lib_ps2cs and CDB functions in C++

Source: https://docs.sofistik.com/2026/en/cdb_interfaces/cpp/examples/cpp_example5.html

This example demonstrates loading the SOFiSTiK library, initializing a database connection, and using the sof_lib_ps2cs function to convert integer values to strings.

```cpp
//+============================================================================+
//| Company:   SOFiSTiK AG                                                     |
//| Version:   SOFiSTIK 2026                                                   |
//+============================================================================+

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// ABOUT:
// In this example we will show how to use the sof_lib_ps2cs() function
// sof_lib_ps2cs() converts integer values to string

#include <iostream>
#include <Windows.h>
#include <string>
#include <iomanip>

// Include SOFiSTiK Libraries from :
//  --> "... interfaces/examples/c++"
#include "cdbase.h"
#include "cdbtypeall.h"
#include "cdbtypecon.h"
#include "cdbtypegeo.h"
#include "cdbtypelfc.h"
#include "cdbtypemat.h"
#include "cdbtypesct.h"
#include "cdbtypesys.h"
#include "cdbtypeten.h"

using namespace std;

typedef unsigned int pckcode;
typedef void(*PS2CS)(pckcode*, char*, int);

typedef int(*INITPRT)(char*, int);
typedef int(*STATUSPRT)(int);
typedef int(*CLOSEPRT)(int);
typedef int(*GETPRT)(int, int, int, void*, int*, int);

using namespace std;

int main()
{
    // Load the library
    HINSTANCE hInst = LoadLibrary("C:\\Program Files\\SOFiSTiK\\2026\\SOFiSTiK 2026\\interfaces\\64bit\\sof_cdb_w-2026.dll");
    if (!hInst)
    {
       cout << "Coult not Load the Library" << endl;
       system("pause");
       return EXIT_FAILURE;
    }

    // Resolve the function adress
    INITPRT sof_cdb_init = (INITPRT)GetProcAddress(hInst, "sof_cdb_init");
    if (!sof_cdb_init)
    {
       cout << "Could not locate the function!" << endl;
       system("pause");
       return EXIT_FAILURE;
    }

    STATUSPRT sof_cdb_status = (STATUSPRT)GetProcAddress(hInst, "sof_cdb_status");
    if (!sof_cdb_status)
    {
       cout << "Could not locate the function!" << endl;
       system("pause");
       return EXIT_FAILURE;
    }

    PS2CS sof_lib_ps2cs = (PS2CS)GetProcAddress(hInst, "sof_lib_ps2cs");
    if (!sof_lib_ps2cs)
    {
       cout << "Could not locate the function!" << endl;
       system("pause");
       return EXIT_FAILURE;
    }

    CLOSEPRT sof_cdb_close = (CLOSEPRT)GetProcAddress(hInst, "sof_cdb_close");
    if (!sof_cdb_close)
    {
       cout << "Could not locate the function!" << endl;
       system("pause");
       return EXIT_FAILURE;
    }

    GETPRT sof_cdb_get = (GETPRT)GetProcAddress(hInst, "sof_cdb_get");
    if (!sof_cdb_get)
    {
       cout << "Could not locate the function!" << endl;
       return EXIT_FAILURE;
    }

    // Connect to CDB
    /*
    Index = 0      initialise CDBASE and open scratch data base only
    Index > 0      open an existing data base with exactly tis index
                       (STATUS=UNKNOWN) = somehow obsolete call, use 99!
    Index = 99    test if NAME is a valid database and open the base
                       if possible. Return with the assigned index.
                       If the file does not exist, it will be created.
    Index = 97    open the database via pvm
                       Return with the assigned index.
    Index = 96    open a scratch database, filename is the path to
                       use or NULL.
    Index = 95    open in read-only mode
    Index = 94    create a new data base (STATUS=NEW)
    */

    int index = 99;
    char* fileName = "S:\\test\\155852\\155852.cdb";
    int ie = sof_cdb_init(fileName, index);
    if (ie < 0)
    {
        cout << "ERROR: Index= " << ie << " < 0 - see clib1.h for meaning of error codes" << endl;
        cout << "Press any <key> to close the program";
        system("pause");
        return(0);
    }
    else if(ie == 0)
    {
        cout << "ERROR: Index= " << ie << " - The File is not a database" << endl;
        cout << "Press any <key> to close the program";
        system("pause");
        return(0);
    }

    // Get Status
    // int sof_cdb_status  (int ie);
    cout << "The CDB Status: " << sof_cdb_status(ie) << endl;

    int datalen = sizeof(tagCDB_LC_CTRL);
    int *datalenptr;
    datalenptr = &datalen;
    tagCDB_LC_CTRL clc_ctrl;

    char s[17*4+1]; // 17 array elements × 4 + include 0
    int len = sizeof(s);

    // &clc_ctrl pass the address of the struct to pointer
    while (sof_cdb_get(ie, 12, 1, &clc_ctrl, &datalen, 1) < 2)
    {
        sof_lib_ps2cs(clc_ctrl.m_rtex, s, sizeof(s));
        cout << s << endl;

        datalen = sizeof(clc_ctrl);
    }

    // Close the CDB
    // int sof_cdb_close  (int ie);
    sof_cdb_close(0);
    cout << "The CDB Status after closing: " << sof_cdb_status(ie) << endl;

    system("pause");
    return 0;
}
```
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