SpatialDistribution not supported

[Karim Adbdelhak]

Due to a question on ​StackOverflow i realized that we do not support the modelica builtin function spatialDistribution. Code is generated, but the function just not exists in the Runtime.

The main example there is IBPSA.Fluid.FixedResistances.Examples.PlugFlowPipe from the IBPSA library.

[Karim Adbdelhak]

I made some small investigations and it seems like an easy thing to add this, my main source being the ​modelica documentation.

@casella Is this used often and should i focus on implementing this?

@adrpo Is there a reason it has been left out in the past?

[Adrian Pop]

I think we had other priorities. As far as I know is supported by the frontend (type check works fine) but I think nobody had the time to implement it in the backend / runtime.

[Karim Adbdelhak]

Yes it passes frontend and seems like that also backend is no problem. Implementing it in the runtime and slightly updating code generation should be enough.

[Francesco Casella]

This is a duplicate of #5281.

Support of spatialDistribution is mandatory and planned for 2.0.0. It is not used very often, but is essential for efficient simulation in some cases of significant practical application, e.g. district heating modelling, and all those cases where you have fluid transport with variable speed and possibly variable direction.

Regarding priority, I'd say that the two current top priorities are 100% MSL 3.2.3 test coverage (see #5288) and getting the power plant simulation going for the Annual Meeting. I'll update #5288 and get back to you on the other issue shortly.