User interfaces
For a complex model, you can make it easier to use, especially by other people, by creating a user interface. A user interface is simply a diagram containing input and output nodes. These inputs and outputs are selected variables that users can change (inputs) or view (outputs). By gathering input and output nodes into a single user interface diagram, users have quick access from a central window, even if the underlying variables are located in other parts of the module hierarchy.
Input nodes allow the user to see and change the values of variables directly in a diagram. Input nodes can be a field to enter a number or text value, a button that opens an edit table or probability distribution, or a pull-down menu. Output nodes show atoms (single numbers or text values) in the diagram, and show a button for uncertain or array-valued variables, so that users can open tables or graphs with a single click.
Input and output nodes are a kind of alias node linked to the original node. These nodes usually show the title and units of a variable to the left of the input or output field or button.
Users of your model can then easily view and modify input variables, and view the results, without navigating the details of the model, unless they wish to.
This diagram shows input nodes on the left side and output nodes on the right side. To see the details of the model, you would double-click the Details node to open up its diagram.
See Examining a Model.
See Also
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