whatIf? Modelling Platform

Merged Sim And Cal Diagrams - Whatif? Platform Version 4.7.0

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:58:29 -0500

A new version of the whatIf? model building platform has just been released (version 4.7.0)

Simulation and calibration diagrams now live together in one diagram and you can switch between them by switching which view you are looking at.

Please find attached a document describing a bit about this feature and how to merge pre-existing sim and cal diagrams.

Tool: * Error * In Line 5 Of File "tool Info Pipe" : $numhisscns Has Not Been Declared

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 09:22:11 -0400

These type of errors indicate that a built in tool variable (probably a new one) is being passed by the client software to the TOOL server and the TOOL server doesn't know about it.

There is a file in the root of the tool account called tool.defs file and that is where the declaration of all the built in tool variables go. If you see the above error contact whatIf? support to get a new tool.defs file.

Issue With Graph: X-axis Intervals

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 09:47:36 -0500

I'm trying to graph an object with an informant of extent 7 (household structure) along the x-axis. The default resulting intervals are irregular. See attached image. Any workarounds for this?

Thanks,
Marcus

Model Family Export/import

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:03:09 -0400

Hi Shona,

In transferring our old Solaris models to Linux, I'd like to follow up on your suggestion below:

"One new feature that you may find useful is a model family export/import. You could use that to move model families from quoll to your linux server if you prefer to use that going forward. It essentially writes the whole model out into a directory structure with files in text format which you then need to move to your linux server and then import. If you decide you want to use it please post a question to the forum about that feature. I have a list of instructions and I'd like to track some info about the process there."

I'd appreciate some guidance on this. And, are there likely to be space problems? We have some big models with hundreds of scenarios. I presume text format will take up much more space.

Franzi

Script

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:48:37 -0400

I am running a script to make an object containing agriculture energy use data: agriEU[[resdr,aft,t90]. I got an error message saying “Can’t open file : …../tool_objeccts/RPP_RESD”. The last file RPP_RESD[resdr,resdln,rppft,conf,t90] was created by running a script back in April 2010. When I do “seeshape” of this object, it displays its shape properly. During the current process of running agriculture script, I did not touch the file RPP_RESD. How can I fix this problem? Did I mess up the associated informants inadvertently while running agriculture script?? Do I have to remake RPP_RESD? I want to avoid it as much as I can. You help is greatly appreciated.

Demolishing Vintaged Stock

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 05:40:56 -0400

I'm attempting to demolish a stock, which is vintaged ('DUs' below). I have generated a demolition flow ('demo' below), which has the vintage specified.

I want to establish the remaining stock with vintage information (- because then I can subsequently calculate a demolition rate relative to the stock).

I thought I could use 'evolvethings' as in the following code segement. But it is reporting an error (copied below).

code segment...
local baseStock[..,yb], bought[..,t,yb], planSales[..,t,yb]
local stock[..,t,yb], actSales[..,t,yb]

baseStock[..,yb] = reorder (integer (extract (agetime (reorder (DUs[l,dut,t,ba][2]; location, dwellUnitType, buildAge, time)); \
dwellUnitType:singleDU, time:+0, shrink=on)); location, yearblt)
planSales[..,t,yb] = reorder (integer (agetime (reorder (demo[l,t,ba]; location, buildAge, time))); location, time, yearblt)
bought[..,t,yb] = copyshape (planSales[..,t,yb])
bought[..,t,yb] = 0.

seeshape (baseStock[..,yb], bought[..,t,yb], planSales[..,t,yb])

stock[..,t,yb], actSales[..,t,yb] = evolvethings (baseStock[..,yb], bought[..,t,yb], planSales[..,t,yb])

...end code segment

Error message (after the shape info):
baseStock[]: array of integer numbers
version: 3
desc: baseStock[..,yb] = reorder (integer (extract (agetime (reorder (DUs[l,dut,t,ba][2]; location, dwellUnitType, buildAge, time));dwellUnitType:singleDU, time:+0, shrink=on)); location, yearblt)
dim1: SET; location; 16
dim2: SEQ; yearblt: 1896:2101:5; year
units: dwellUnit
entity measure: dwellUnit
data: 672 elements

bought[]: array of integer numbers
version: 3
desc: bought[..,t,yb] = 0.
dim1: SET; location; 16
dim2: SEQ; time: 1996:2101:5; year
dim3: SEQ; yearblt: 1896:2101:5; year
units: dwellUnit / 5-year
entity measure: dwellUnit / 5-year
data: 14784 elements

planSales[]: array of integer numbers
version: 3
desc: planSales[..,t,yb] = reorder (integer (agetime (reorder (demo[l,t,ba]; location, buildAge, time))); location, time, yearblt)
dim1: SET; location; 16
dim2: SEQ; time: 1996:2101:5; year
dim3: SEQ; yearblt: 1896:2101:5; year
units: dwellUnit / 5-year
entity measure: dwellUnit / 5-year
data: 14784 elements

evolvethings tool: Input(s) have improper shape: baseStock[]'s rank should be Rank(bought[]) + 2
TOOL: execution error
line 274 in '/whatif/samm/whatif_MB/ASFFv3/ASFFV3.s/views/code/urbanAgLndExch'

What should I do? And is 'evolvethings' the best way to do this?

"sandpit" Question -- Viewing Results Without Saving A Scenario

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 02:47:04 -0400

I'm not really on top of the newish feature in SAMM where the 'intermediate' outputs of calculators can be viewed when new instances of control variables are selected (but when a new scenario is not created). It seems that this only works with creviews, not disviews. And it also seems to work when the instances or creview is local to a single calculator. I seem to have problems when trying this over multiple calculators.

Does this make sense? Can you advise on whether I'm doing something wrong?

"sandpit" Thoughts - Tagging Scenarios And Using Input Sets

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 02:42:41 -0400

I'm in the process of creating some detailed scenarios with a client/collaborator. Consequently, I've ended up with a large number of intermediate scenarios. While the scenario number & parent system is great for tracking back through the logic/development, I wonder if there's a little more functionality that could be created in the scenario window layout?

It becomes a bit tedious or confusing at times to keep on top of which scenarios are related. Would it be possible to use some sort of hierarchical nesting of scenarios (like folders and files) - so that some chains of scenarios could be collapsed or expanded? Or perhaps to add a tag e.g., "test", "intermediate", "good", etc. so that a filter could be applied?

Macroforest Problem

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 02:35:11 -0400

I don't understand some output of the macroforest tool. It seems that when I set planned reductions to forest area to zero, the total forest area still increases.

I haven't experimented extensively with the various inputs. But, when the newCCShr input has non-zero share for managed forRegime (i.e., some new clear cut land going to managed), then the managed forest area increases over time - while at the same time other forRegime areas do *not* decrease. (The newCCShr does sum to one over forRegimeEC.)

Is this meant to happen? It doesn't seem so by the tool description.

(NB: In ASFF, the land resource module only uses the shared inputs to forestry, so it appears in landRes that the forest area is constant - in disagreement with macroforest.)

Also, on a separate issue with macroforest, can I check what happens when reductions to forest area are zero? I'm simulating a transfer from crops to forests. Is it possible that the new forest land is assumed to have the same age-structured trees on it as the forRegime that the new land is added to?

If so, what work around with input settings is recommend to aviod this?

Comparison Of Two Dmms

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 10:32:23 -0400

Is there an application or a program/tool to list the differences between the two DMMs? I would like to know the differences of two DMMs in Informants and Variables. Differences include the different elements of one informant(even with same index name) and the different variables (ModelBase names) or same variable name but with different indexes? It will be very helpful if I can find the differences between the two DMMs quickly particularly in the absence of information on different model versions.

Graph Error Message

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:03:50 -0400

I was trying to open the "maximum number of iterations" variable, which is in elec gen box, and that the graph would not open.

Nested Feedback Views

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:28:21 -0400

How do you nest feedbacks?

For instance, in ASFF I target an unemployment rate by adjusting consumption rates and production activity in one feedback. Another feedback is used to maintain a stable net trade balance (relative to GDP) by adjusting exports (through production) and import shares. One feedback affects another, so I’ve dealt with this so far by simply iterating feedbacks in a chain of scenarios.

Any suggestions for a better approach?

Working On Large Objects

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:05:03 -0400

I’m having a problem with manipulations on a large (15M elements) data object. The Dimensional Analysis runs fine. But SAMM reports the following error when evaluating with actual data:

condIntCr[s->sd,lcbi,art->crp,ybalh,acont,t186120065] = insert (extend (mapcat (map (mapcat (mapcat (map (map (mapcat (condIntCrC[ssdag,lcbi,acc,ybh,acont,tag]; \
dim=stateStatDiv); stateLOT->state), sd96Tosd[sd,sd96]); category=sCOsd); \
dim=agrCACat); crop->cropPdn); category=artCOcrp); \
dim=time, end=$lastHisYear); yearbuilt->yearbuilt:+0)

Is it because it’s too big an object? If so, is there an alternative coding way that I could achieve the end result in several steps? (I did try just doing the first mapcat & map as a local, but I think that stalled.)

How To Run A Script

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:46:10 -0400

Hello,
Since I have not run a script on SAMM, could you explain how to do it ?

Thanks.
Fumiko

Timeage Tool

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:39:39 -0500

I was having problems with lost stock in a calculator of my model, and have tracked it down to the use of the timeage tool. When I convert my stock from model year into vehicle age, it cuts off at vehicle age 17, even though the stock would go back to age 28.

Has anyone else noticed this problem, and how did you fix it?

Thanks,
Ann

Export Informant

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:50:16 -0500

Hi there,

I'm currently exporting some variables from our transportation model and decided that it would be helpful to have the detail or label of my informants.

So in a single txt file I tried to export 4 informants that are present in my energy variable. it almost worked, but ...

1- Biggest problem: It worked for my 3 local informants, but it crashes at my model informant can I make it work?
2- One of my local informant's name is ps2, which is not that helpful for a non-initiated user. I wanted to add the description fuel type but I can not really make it happen. I tried the title option in the export, and the desc option in creating my local informant and neither worked. What else can I try?
3- I do not like the spacing in the resultant txt file, can I do something about it?

Thanks,
Sam

Possible To Create A Measure In A View?

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:29:21 -0500

In the same way one can create a local informant in a TOOL script/view, like so...

CODE

localinformant mode[] = create(; object=set, data="auto transit walkBike")

...is it possible to create a scientific measure in a view, which doesn't exist in the loaded model family but which can be used in the creation and shaping of local objects?

Da And Binding Variables

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:55:50 -0500

Does DA ckeck binding variables?

I had a spelling mistake in the "simulation binding variable" field on the History tab.
Shouldn't dimensional analysis pick this up? It only came to light when I tried to load
the calibrator and got an error message about callink.samm

Units Of Measure Confusion

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:24:14 -0500

I'm trying to to a boolean comparison between a travel time matrix and a threshold scalar value, using a view. I'm not getting the expected results and I think it has to do with how I'm setting up the units of measure in my objects. Here's the code:

CODE

view TT2[mo,byrs,pzFr,pzTo][]

local threshold[] = create (; SIuomFrom=TT2[mo,byrs,pzFr,pzTo][1], \
data=30, precision=double)

display (threshold[])
seeshape (TT2[mo,byrs,pzFr,pzTo][$index])

local isWithinThresholdTime[mo,byrs,pzFr,pzTo] = boolle (TT2[mo,byrs,pzFr,pzTo][1], threshold[])

table (TT2[mo,byrs,pzFr,pzTo][1], isWithinThresholdTime[mo,byrs,pzFr,pzTo]; window1=1)

and here are the results of the display() and seeshape() calls:

CODE

threshold[]: scalar real number, double precision
version: 3
desc:    local threshold[] = create (; SIuomFrom=TT2[mo,byrs,pzFr,pzTo][$index],data=30, precision=double)
units:   s
   SI signature:       s
data:    1 element
-----------------------------------
30.00

TT2[1][]: array of real numbers, double precision
version: 3
desc:    TT2[mo,byrs,pzFr,pzTo] = map (map (TT[mo,byrs,pzFr2,pzTo2], pzFr2TopzFr[pzFr,pzFr2]), pzTo2TopzTo[pzTo,pzTo2])
dim1:    SET; mode; 3
dim2:    SEQ; time: 2006:2006:1; year
dim3:    SET; PLUMzoneFr; 327
dim4:    SET; PLUMzoneTo; 327
units:   minute
   scientific measure: minute
   SI signature:       s
data:    320787 elements

How do I make the threshold[] object do an apples-to-apples comparison to the travel time matrix?

New Whatif? Server And Software

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 08:54:53 -0500

Hi, I've noticed that with the new server and software, some commands no longer seem necessary.
For example, I no longer need arrow maps to nothing (e.g. NGLs-> ), I can just comment them out or delete them.
Also, I don't need to specify 'precision=double'.
Finally, when loading data into the model, I no longer have to specify 'delimiter="" ' or 'translate="", value=0'.
Cheers.

Re-loading Diagram

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:32:45 -0500

Under what conditions can I re-load the diagram into an existing framework in SAMM?

After the new software release I had to edit the code in a number of places, but this did not involve any changes to diagram. I tried to re-load the digram using FW Action/Load Diagram... but I get the error message "Load diagram failed, cannot open '/whatifM/unep/V6/cal/UNEPv6.c.dmm'."

I don't think this is not an absent file or permissions issue because eventually I deleted my framework and started again. Immediately after successfully loading the framework (with its diagram) I tried to re-load the diagram (same path, same file) and got the same error message, above.

Variables And Control Panels

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:40:42 -0500

Why do we need control panels while we can create the instances using the variables?
What are other usages of the control panels except for creating instances?

Tensions

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:46:51 -0500

What is the formulation of the tensions in terms of the available and required sources?

New Release Traps New Errors - When Making Categories As Localinformants

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:29:36 -0500

Running existing frameworks with the new whatif release traps new errors.

What's wrong with this?

CODE

localinformant wdisCOsec[] = create (; object=category, groups=WDISector, members=sector, \
    agriculture1="agrFor fishing", \
    industry1="mining industry utilities construction", \
    services1="transport services")

It worked with tool 3.1.3. Now it gives the error message:

create tool: Parameter error: unused parameter: 'agriculture1=agrFor fishing'

Input Sets

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:14:49 -0500

Shona asked me to post my queries about input sets.

Hi Shona,

Thanks. There are some great new features!

I'm very pleased to see Input Sets back again. It would be good to have a short account of how you see them being used - how the different aspects work together.

For example, it would be good to be able to pick a variable into an existing input set directly from the instance list - i.e. without first picking it into the diagram or worksheet (perhaps you can, but I haven't found out how). In fact, how do you pick a variable into an exisiting input set?

Is this the procedure:
- right click on input set name in upper panel of Input Sets window
- click on Add Vars to Input Set - puts variables from the existing input set in the lower panel
- right click on variable in diagram
- click on Add Var To Input Set - variable appears in lower panel of Input Sets window with the other variables of the existing set
- right click in lower panel
- click Save Input Set - and give it a name
- delete the original input set

That's lots of clicks. I'd like to be able to
- right click on the variable instance in the instance window
- click on Add Var to Input Set - and give the Input Set number (because names are not unique)

How do you use Add Single Variable to Input Set? It sounds like what I want, but I haven't found the situation where it's not greyed out.

But, I'm not being critical. I think it's fantastic.

Franzi

Prescedence And Nesting In Tool Statements

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:28:24 -0500

I notice that only the first set of commands in a tool statement can be nested. Why is this? Is the order of commands in a statement important?

"f" Or "u" Qualifiers In .v Files

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:20:25 -0500

What is the significance of the "F" or "U" following the variable names in a .v file related to a view?

Creating A New Scenario

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:08:27 -0500

I am new at this and it is not clear to me how to create a new scenario. Under the Scenario Actions menu there is no create option. In the scenario window I have a existing scenario "picked". I can see the instances of my input variables by right-clicking on instances in the appropriate input, but how do I combine these in a new scenario?

Error Msg "expecting Assignment Operator"

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:53:09 -0500

I am trying to load 2008 database repeating the same value as 2007.
I got error message "expecting assignment operator" on the first line of the following statement.

CODE

ECTransEMFactx[ectm,ectft,tghg][$index] = import (; format=coord, \
allCoord=off, delimiter=",", \
dataFile=$primaryDataDir/EmFact/EFTableforNRCan_2009-02-11_fomEC.csv)

What is it complaining about?
Fumiko

Deleting Variables

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:27:07 -0500

Hello,
I have null variables, that do not have a variable name nor any indexes. Also, they do not appear in any calculators so I cannot go in the diagram and delete them. Basically, they only appear in the variables tab. Is there a way I can delete them in the tab like an informant or measure? And I can't find it in any of the .samm files.

this is not urgent.

Dominic

Viewing Calculator Variables With The Same Name From Different Calculators

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:59:40 -0500

Hello,

This forum is a great idea but I have a question relating to some view code that I'm writing.

How can I distinguish/view multiple calculator variables with the same name from different calculators ... from within the one display view code script?

Bool Tool

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:03:32 -0400

Hello,

When comparing a variable to a constant, does the constant inherit the same unit as the variable it's compared to ?

For example, the units of B are TJ:

A[S1,..,Sn ,D1,..,Dn ] = boolgt (B[S1,..,Sn ,D1,..,Dn ], 1000)
sometime, I get a 1 for values under 1000.

Because, I did this code, and I don't get the same result when I do this following code:

local temp[S1,..,Sn ,D1,..,Dn ] = copyshape (B[S1,..,Sn ,D1,..,Dn ])
temp[S1,..,Sn ,D1,..,Dn ] = 1000

A_temp[S1,..,Sn ,D1,..,Dn] = boolgt (B[S1,..,Sn ,D1,..,Dn ], temp[S1,..,Sn ,D1,..,Dn ])
A_1000[S1,..,Sn ,D1,..,Dn] = boolgt (B[S1,..,Sn ,D1,..,Dn ], 1000)

When I do this, A_1000[S1,..,Sn ,D1,..,Dn] <>A_temp[S1,..,Sn ,D1,..,Dn]

Thanks,

Dominic

Scenario Date Stamp

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:36:17 -0400

The way to show the date stamp is to turn them on in you preferences:
1. Under the file menu in SAMM choose Preferences...
2. Choose the scenarios tab
3. Click on the check box that says "show create time"

Shona

Yamada, Fumiko wrote:
>
> Hi Shona,
>
> Is there anyway to put date stamp displayed for the scenarios? It now
> displays number and parent.
> The date gives us important information when we need to backtrack some
> problems.
>

Insert A Constant

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:24:00 -0400

I want to set emFact of wood to zero for residential sector, for all regions, for all ghs and for all years.

local zero[] = create (; object=constant, SIuom="tonne/TJ", dataType=real, data=0.0)
resCGGIEmFactTJ[ar,ghg,rft,t78] = insert (zero[]; resFuelType:wood)

The above code gives error message
"Inputs have improper shape. resCGGIEmFactTJ[]'s SIuom should be the same as zero[]".

The similar code worked in other calculator.
How can I fix it?

Norm On Multiple Dimensions

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:50:43 -0400

Hello,

I have a variable containing two dimensions, I would like to norm on both within a single norm command. Is there a way I can specify both dimensions wihtout doing two norm commands?

Thanks,

Dom and Ann

Accessing Individual Matrix Elements

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:57:29 -0400

I have two TOOL questions:

1.) How do I assign values to individual matrix elements?

For example, I have an array object sMatrix[dh,sh] indexed by the sequences dh and sh (both run from 1 to 1344). I want to run through some loops and inside those I want to set the "i-jth" entry of the sMatrix equal to 1 if some conditions hold.

2.) How do I extract individual matrix elements?

For example, I want to put some elements of A[dh,sh] into B[sq] inside of some loops (e.g I want to put the "4,7" entry of A into the "5th" spot in B.)

Creating A Map

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:09:54 -0400

Hello,
While creating a map in documentor, the following code will sum element1A and element2A into element 1B.

infAToinfB[B,A] = import (; format=mapping, \
element1A->element1B, \
element2A->element1B)

Is there a way to replace this with another number ?
For example, I would like to have element 1B represent element1A minus element2A. SO something like:

infAToinfB[B,A] = import (; format=mapping, \
element1A->element1B, \
element2A->-element1B)

anyway, no hurry, just asking.

Dominic

Import Tool

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:08:51 -0400

Hello!

What specification do I have to write to get the import tool to skip the first 2 columns ? I know that if I specify rowTitles=on, that will skip the first column, but what do I do to get it to skip the first 2 columns. I can't find it in the import.pdf

Thanks,

Dominic

Welcome!

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 23:55:19 -0400

Welcome to the whatIf? Modelling Platform forum, a place for discussion related to any aspect of the platform including Documenter (model design), the TOOL language, calibration, data import/export, SAMM (scenario management) and visualization.

We look forward to participating in an active, ongoing conversation with the user community and any interested parties.

- The whatIf? Team

whatIf? Modelling Platform

Merged Sim And Cal Diagrams - Whatif? Platform Version 4.7.0

Tool: *** Error *** In Line 5 Of File "tool Info Pipe" : $numhisscns Has Not Been Declared

Issue With Graph: X-axis Intervals

Model Family Export/import

Script

Demolishing Vintaged Stock

"sandpit" Question -- Viewing Results Without Saving A Scenario

"sandpit" Thoughts - Tagging Scenarios And Using Input Sets

Macroforest Problem

Comparison Of Two Dmms

Graph Error Message

Nested Feedback Views

Working On Large Objects

How To Run A Script

Timeage Tool

Export Informant

Possible To Create A Measure In A View?

Da And Binding Variables

Units Of Measure Confusion

New Whatif? Server And Software

Re-loading Diagram

Variables And Control Panels

Tensions

New Release Traps New Errors - When Making Categories As Localinformants

Input Sets

Prescedence And Nesting In Tool Statements

"f" Or "u" Qualifiers In .v Files

Creating A New Scenario

Error Msg "expecting Assignment Operator"

Deleting Variables

Viewing Calculator Variables With The Same Name From Different Calculators

Bool Tool

Scenario Date Stamp

Insert A Constant

Norm On Multiple Dimensions

Accessing Individual Matrix Elements

Creating A Map

Import Tool

Welcome!

Tool: * Error * In Line 5 Of File "tool Info Pipe" : $numhisscns Has Not Been Declared