Difference between revisions of "Obfuscated and Browse-Only Models"

Revision as of 01:55, 17 July 2009

(Updated for Analytica 4.2 and later)

A Browse-only model is saved in a locked form so that a user cannot leave Browse model and so cannot Edit the model. All models appear as Browse-only if you open them with Analytica Player (or Power Player). But, a Browse-only model cannot be edited even with Analytica editions -- such as Professional or Enterprise -- that normally let you edit models. A user can still change any variables designated as inputs, and save the model with those changes -- except with Analytica Player that doesn't let you save models. You need Analytica Enterprise or higher Edition to save a model as Browse-only. You can run a Browse-only model with any Edition.

An Obfuscated model is saved in an encrypted file format so no-one can examine its internals even if they look at the "source" file. When you open an Obfuscated model, some or all variable definitions may be hidden, so you can't see them. Others may be shown as normal. You can use this to hide definitions, algorithms, or data that is proprietary, sensitive, or classified, so that it is safe from those who should not see it. Again, you need Analytica Enterprise or higher Edition to Hide variables and save a model as Obfuscated. No-one can unhide variables in an obfuscated model, not even the author.

Obfuscation and Browse-only locking has been available since Analytica 2.0, but can be applied only to an entire model -- including all submodules and libraries. Release 4.2 adds the option to lock and obfuscate separately saved modules (linked modules or linked libraries) without having to lock their parent model.

With module-by-module locking, you may end up with a mixture of unlocked modules, obfuscated linked modules, and browse-locked linked modules in your model. Various limitations exist on what you can do with objects in locked modules. These limitations are designed to prevent users from gaining access to hidden definitions in obfuscated modules, or making changes to browse-locked sub-modules.

- TO DO: Fill in these details as they apply to 4.2 **

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-(Updated for Analytica 4.2 and later. Some features are new to 4.2.)
+(Updated for Analytica 4.2 and later)
 A ''Browse-only'' model is saved in a locked form so that a user cannot leave Browse model and so cannot Edit the model. All models appear as Browse-only if you open them with Analytica Player (or Power Player). But, a Browse-only model cannot be edited even with Analytica editions -- such as Professional or Enterprise -- that normally let you edit models. A user can still change any variables designated as inputs, and save the model with those changes -- except with Analytica Player that doesn't let you save models. You need Analytica Enterprise or higher Edition to save a model as Browse-only. You can run a Browse-only model with any Edition.
-An Obfuscated model is saved in an encrypted file format so no-one can examine its internals even if they look at the "source" file. When you open an Obfuscated model, some or all variable definitions may be hidden, so you can't see them. Others may be shown as normal. You can use this to hide definitions, algorithms, or data that is proprietary, sensitive, or classified, so that it is safe from those who should not see it.  Again, you need Analytica Enterprise or higher Edition to Hide variables and save a model as Obfuscated. No-one can unhide variables in an obfuscated model, not even the author.
+An ''Obfuscated'' model is saved in an encrypted file format so no-one can examine its internals even if they look at the "source" file. When you open an Obfuscated model, some or all variable definitions may be hidden, so you can't see them. Others may be shown as normal. You can use this to hide definitions, algorithms, or data that is proprietary, sensitive, or classified, so that it is safe from those who should not see it.  Again, you need Analytica Enterprise or higher Edition to Hide variables and save a model as Obfuscated. No-one can unhide variables in an obfuscated model, not even the author.
 Obfuscation and Browse-only locking has been available since Analytica 2.0, but can be applied only to an entire model -- including all submodules and libraries. Release 4.2 adds the option to lock and obfuscate separately saved modules (linked modules or linked libraries) without having to lock their parent model.