Running NEURON

Windows

Unix

 

Running NEURON Under Windows (95/98/NT)

Running your Simulation

To run a simulation, open the folder containing your "hoc" files in a file manager window. Double click on the main "hoc" file of your simulation and it will run.

Alternatively, bring up an MS-DOS prompt window by selecting "mknrndll DOS box" from the "Neuron" menu under "Programs" in the "Start" menu. Change to the folder containing your "hoc" files and then type "neuron filename.hoc" (where filename is the actual name of your file) at the DOS prompt. This method is useful if you need to add options, such as paths to NMODL files, to the "neuron" command.

Please note: all folder and file names should be 8 characters or less in length (not counting the extension) for things to work as described below.

Running the Demo

From the "Start" menu select "Programs", then "Neuron" and finally "NEURON demo". A number of windows will appear on your screen.

To run one of the examples, click on its button in the top window labelled "NEURON Demonstrations". Many more windows will appear. You may like to move them around so you can see things better. To start any of the simulations, click on "Init & Run" in the "RunControl" window.

To exit NEURON, select "Quit" from the "File" menu in the "NEURON Main Menu".

Building NMODL files

Bring up an MS-DOS prompt window by selecting "mknrndll DOS box" from the "Neuron" menu under "Programs" in the "Start" menu. Change to the folder containing your "mod" files by first typing "g:" at the DOS prompt, then use "cd" to get to your folder e.g. "cd neuron\example".

Now type "mknrndll" at the DOS prompt and NEURON will build a "nrnmech.dll" file in your folder (this may take sometime; and assumes there are no errors in your "mod" files).

 

Running NEURON Under Unix

Running your Simulation

To run a simulation, at a Unix command prompt, type "nrniv filename.hoc -" (where filename is the actual name of your file). Please note: the trailing "-" is important.

Running the Demo

To run the demonstration, at a Unix command prompt, type "nrndemo". A number of windows will appear on your screen.

To run one of the examples, click on its button in the top window labelled "NEURON Demonstrations". Many more windows will appear. You may like to move them around so you can see things better. To start any of the simulations, click on "Init & Run" in the "RunControl" window.

To exit NEURON, select "Quit" from the "File" menu in the "NEURON Main Menu".

Building NMODL files

Change to the directory containing your "mod" files and type "nrnivmodl" at the Unix prompt and NEURON will build a "special" version of itself in a subdirectory of the name of your CPU (e.g. "sparc"). Use this version to run your simulations that need these "mod" files e.g. "sparc/special filename.hoc -".

 

 
If you have comments or suggestions, email me at b.graham@cs.stir.ac.uk