DYMEX 3.0
Builder - New Features
The following list includes the major differences between Version 2 and Version 3. In addition, a large number of minor improvements have been made to the Builder program.
- Populations can be divided into separate sub-populations (demes) within the model to represent, for example, genetic types or spatial units. When this is done, variables and parameters that take part in the sub-population structure have components that correspond to each sub-population.
- Operations on lifestage processes have been greatly simplified via a new Lifestage Window. This gives a much better overview of all the processes in the stage, allowing for a better understanding of how the model works. It also reduces the number of dialog operations that were necessary in earlier versions.
- The Lifecycle Window has been changed to the same format as that in the Simulator. The window can now be sized, zoomed and printed.
- The Variables Window has been much enhanced. Variables can be sorted and the window gives access to dialogs that allow the variables and associated modules to be edited.
- The Lifecycle module now can contain factors that belong to the lifecycle as a whole (i.e., they are not part of lifestage processes). This can avoid redefining the same parameter multiple times.
Enhancements from version 1
The Builder has been considerably enhanced from Version 1. For users familiar with Version 1, the following list details the major differences. Those changes that may cause models to behave differently when moved to Version 2 are shown in italics.
- New modules are available, as follows: Adjustable Circadian, Climate Change Scenario, Daydegree, Difference, Equation, Counter, MetManager, Discrete QueryUser, Accumulator (Running Mean), Storage, Switch and Weather.
- Modules and their output variables can have descriptions associated with them.
- The Event module may now have a user-defined delay between trigger and action, a programmable off condition, as well as multiple independent action factors.
- The Lifecycle module has been considerably enhanced, allowing branching of lifecycles, nested stages (Endostages), an immigration process, "exit" processes and many more lifestage outputs.
- By default, Chronological Age is now in units of days (not timestep, as in Version 1). If you built a model with a weekly timestep using version 1 of the Builder and it includes chronological age processes, then in order to run it in version 2 of the builder you will either need to change the manner in which chronological age is updated in the lifecycle properties dialogue box to "timesteps", or modify all the chronological age processes accordingly. Lifestage densities are calculated differently.
- Summary Variables are now set in the Builder and can be manipulated using modules in a similar way to normal variables.
- Models may be split into several files, with a main Model Description File and a number of auxiliary files. This allows complex models such as a multi-species model to be firstly constructed as separate models, and then combined later.
- Parameters for a module can be placed into a separate, named Parameter File.
- All the variables used in the model can be displayed together in a Variables window along with the source module of the variables and the modules where they are used.
- Any parameter in any module may be replaced by either a function or a process. Processes can now have associated descriptions.