Difference between revisions of "Preferences dialog"

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<breadcrumbs>Analytica User Guide > Create and edit a model> {{PAGENAME}}</breadcrumbs>
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[[Analytica User Guide]] >
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{{ReleaseBar}}
  
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Use the '''Preferences '''dialog to inspect and set a variety of preferences for the operation of Analyt- ica. All preference settings are saved with the model. To open the '''Preferences '''dialog, select '''Preferences '''from the '''Edit '''menu.
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The '''Preferences '''dialog lets you inspect and set a variety of general preferences and styles. To open this''' '''dialog, select [[Preferences]] from the [[Edit menu]].
  
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[[File:Chapter4 34.png]]
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:{{Release||6.2|[[File:Chapter4 34.png]]}}{{Release|6.3|6.3|[[image:Preferences 6.3.png]]}}{{Release|6.4||[[image:Preferences 6.4.png]]}}
  
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'''Change identifier''': Use the options in this box to control the changing of identifiers. See [[Creating and editing nodes]] for a description of how identifiers are initially assigned.
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The easiest way to learn what each preference does is to move the mouse over it, and read the [[Tooltip]] (as in all  dialog boxes).  See below if you need more details.
  
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* ''When title changes'': Check this box to change a variable’s identifier whenever you change its title. Analytica uses up to the number of specified characters (20 by default, range from 2 to 20), replacing spaces and returns with an underscore character (_), and omitting anything between parentheses. If the box is not checked, the identifier is changed only when you explicitly edit it.
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Most preference settings are saved with the model. But, '''Personal preferences''' (in the lower left quadrant of the dialog) apply to all models for this user on this computer. For example, if you uncheck '''Maintain recover info''', it will stop saving a recovery file for all your models (not recommended!)
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* ''Ask before renaming'': Check this box to see a confirmation dialog before automatic changing of a variable’s identifier.
 
  
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[[File:Chapter4 35.png]] '''Opens''': These radio buttons control where you view the definition of a selected object, when you click [[File:Chapter4 35.png]] in the toolbar, press ''Control+e'', or when you choose to edit a variable from a warning message:
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===Change identifier===
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* ''Object window'': Open [[The Object window]] and select the definition text.
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Normally, Analytica generates an identifier from the Title you give to each object, using thefirst 20 characters, and substituting '_' for any spaces or punctuation characters, (See [[Creating and editing nodes]] for more.)
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* ''Diagram attribute panel'': Open [[The Attribute panel]] on the appropriate '''Diagram '''window and select the definition text.
 
  
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'''Personal Preferences''': The checkboxes in this cluster are distinguished from all other preferences in that they are user settings, not stored with the model, and persist across Analytica sessions.
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'''When title changes''': Check this box to change an object's [[identifier]] whenever you change its title. If not checked, it changes the identifier only when you explicitly edit it.
  
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* ''Use Return to enter data'': A standard MS Windows keyboard has a ''Return ''key located on the alphanumeric section of the keyboard, and a separate ''Enter ''key located on the numeric keyboard. When this checkbox is unchecked (the default), the ''Return ''key starts a new line in a multi-lined text field (such as a definition) while the ''Enter ''key or ''Alt+Return ''signal that the data entry is complete. When checked, these are reversed, with ''Enter ''or ''Alt+Return ''starting a new line and ''Return ''completing the entry of data.''Maintain recovery info ''When this checkbox is checked (the default), Analytica saves each change to a recovery file, starting from the last point at which the model was saved. If the application terminates unexpectedly due to a software or hardware problem, the next time you start Analytica, it detects the recovery file and displays a dialog offering to resume the model where you left off, including all changes.
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'''Ask before renaming''': Check this box to see a confirmation dialog before it automatically changes any [[identifier]].
  
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The only reason to switch off this option is when you are editing huge edit tables, in which case, this feature can slow down editing and con- sume significant disk space for the recovery file.
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{{Release||4.6|[[File:Chapter4 35.png]]}}{{Release|5.0||[[image:ToolbarExprButton.png]]}} '''Opens''': When you click {{Release||4.6|[[File:Chapter4 35.png]]}}{{Release|5.0||[[image:ToolbarExprButton.png]]}} in the [[toolbar]], press ''Control+e'', or choose to edit a variable from a warning message, it shows the [[definition]] of the variable or function, in whichever of these views you select:
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* '''Object window''': See the [[Object window]]
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* '''Diagram attribute panel''': See the Definition in an [[Attribute panel]] on the appropriate [[Diagram window]].
  
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Even when ''Maintain Recovery Info ''is checked, we recommend you save your model at frequent intervals.
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===Personal Preferences===
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These Personal preferences are saved on your computer so they apply to all models you run on this computer. This is unlike the other preferences, which are saved with the model and apply only to that model when run on any computer.
  
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''Expression assist''When this is checked (the default), pop-ups appear while typing expressions in definition attributes, providing identifier auto-comple- tion and function parameter help. When this is unchecked, pop-ups don’t appear continuously while typing, but you can still access the assist once by typing ''Ctrl+space, ''or use Ctrl+? to toggle it on. See [#_bookmark437 “Expression Assist” on][#_bookmark437  ][#_bookmark437 page 107.]
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'''Use Return to enter data''': A standard MS Windows keyboard has a ''Return ''key located on the alphanumeric section of the keyboard, and a separate ''Enter ''key located on the numeric keyboard. When this checkbox is unchecked (the default), the ''Return ''key starts a new line in a multi-lined text field (such as a definition) while the ''Enter ''key or ''Alt+Return ''signal that the data entry is complete. When checked, these are reversed, with ''Enter ''or ''Alt+Return ''starting a new line and ''Return'' completing the entry of data.
  
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''Help balloons''When checked, a help balloon pops up when the user hovers the mouse over a node for one second. For a balloon to pop up, the node must have a Help or Description attribute. The balloon provides a con- venient way for end-users to browse a model.
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'''Maintain recovery info''': When this checkbox is checked (the default), Analytica saves each change to a recovery file, starting from the last point at which the model was saved. If the application terminates unexpectedly due to a software or hardware problem, the next time you start Analytica, it detects the recovery file and displays a dialog offering to resume the model where you left off, including all changes. The only reason to switch off this option is when you are editing huge edit tables, in which case, this feature can slow down editing and consume significant disk space for the recovery file. Even when ''Maintain Recovery Info ''is checked, we recommend you save your model at frequent intervals.
  
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By default, balloons are only active in browse mode. When you uncheck '''...only in browse mode''', balloons also appear in edit mode.''Large text in attributes''
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'''Expression assist''': When checked (the default), it shows the Expression assist pop-up window as you type into the definition of a variable or function. It a list of identifiers that match a partial identifier and help on function parameters. When unchecked, it won't show the popup window as you type, but you can still open them by typing ''Ctrl+space, ''or ''Ctrl+?'' to toggle it on and off. See [[Creating or editing a definition]].
  
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''& tables''
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'''Help balloons''': When checked, it shows a [[help balloon]] when you move the mouse cursor over a node for a second -- if the node has a Description or Help attribute. The balloon provides a convenient way for end-users to browse a model. By default, balloons are only active in browse mode. When you uncheck '''...only in'''browse mode''', balloons also appear in edit mode.
  
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Enlarges the font size used in the attribute panel, object window and table cells. This does not determine the size of fonts used in influence diagrams, for that see [#_bookmark334 “Diagram Style dialog” ][#_bookmark334 on][#_bookmark334  page ][#_bookmark334 74] and [#_bookmark342 “Node] [#_bookmark342 Style dialog” on page 75].''Max open windows''Specifies the maximum number of windows that can be open at one time. When you have this many windows open, it will close the window that has been inactive for the longest when you open a new window.
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'''Large text in attributes & tables''': Check to use a larger font size (11 pt) in the [[attribute panel]], [[object window]] and table cells. (This doesn't affect  font size in influence diagrams. For that, use  [[Diagram Style dialog]] and [[Node Style dialog]].)
  
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'''Max open windows''': Set the maximum number of Analytica windows open at one time. When you open a new window, if it already has this many open, it first closes the window that has been inactive for the longest.  This avoids cluttering up your screen and computer resources to display lots of windows that are anyway hidden behind other windows.
  
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'''Default result view'''Select the radio button to specify which view you prefer as the default when you first display the
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===Default result view===
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When you first display the [[Result window]] for a variable, it shows the result first using the view you select:
  
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[#_bookmark119 Result window] '''(p[#_bookmark120 age 26)] for a variable.
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* [[File:Chapter4 36.png]] Display result as a [[Table view of a result|table]].
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* [[File:Chapter4 37.png]] Display result as a [[Graph view of a result|graph]].
  
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If you change the view in the [[result window]], it remembers that view when you reopen that result.
  
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[[Image:]] Display result as a table. [[Image:]] Display result as a graph.
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== Model preferences ==
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'''Check variable class''': Display a warning if:
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If you change the view in a result window, it uses that view next time you open that result.====== Chapter 4 ======
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* A variable whose [[class]] is not <code>Chance</code> contains a probability distribution.
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''Creating and Editing a Model''
 
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'''Preferences dialog''''''Checkboxes'''
 
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''Check variable class''Display a warning if:
 
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* A variable whose class is not '''Chance '''contains a probability distribution.
 
 
* A constant depends on another variable (other than indexes to an edit table).
 
* A constant depends on another variable (other than indexes to an edit table).
  
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[#_bookmark496 Check value][#_bookmark496  ][#_bookmark496 bounds]Enables out-of-range warnings when:''...against Check attri- bute''
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'''Check value bounds''': Enables out-of-range warnings when:
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* ''...against Check attribute'': the computed value of a variable falls outside the range specified by the [[Domain attribute]]
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*''..against domain bounds'': the computed value fails to satisfy the expression specified in the [[Check attribute]].
  
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''..against domain bounds''
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'''Show undefined''': Nodes without a valid [[definition]] display with cross-hatching:
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{{Assista||Assista action: To turn on cross-hatching, Eval( 'ShowUndef := 1'). To turn it off, Eval('ShowUndef := 0')}}
  
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the computed value of a variable falls outside the range specified by the Domain attribute
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:[[File:Chapter4 38.png]]
  
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the computed value fails to satisfy the expression specified in the Check attribute. See [#_bookmark497 page 11]9.[[Image:]]''Show undefined''Nodes without a valid definition display with cross-hatching:
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'''Show result mode icons: mid, µ±''': {{Assista|key|Show or hide SICN, mid-icon, uncertainty icon, dist icon}} Display a small icon to the right of a [[User output node]] to indicate which uncertainty view is selected.
  
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Node is filled with diagonal pattern: the definition is missing or is syntactically incorrect
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{{Release||6.2|
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'''Flag nodes w/descriptions''': Show a red triangle in the upper-right corner of nodes that have text in their description attribute:{{Assista|key|Flag nodes without a description}}{{Assista||Assista can turn this on by evaluating (ShowDescriptionMarks := 1)}}
  
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:[[Image:Chapter4 39.png]]}}{{Release|6.3||
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'''Flag nodes without descriptions''': Show a red triangle in the upper-right corner of nodes that have no text in their description attribute:
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:[[Image:Node with no description.png]]}}
  
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''Flag nodes w/descriptions''
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'''Show module hierarchy''': Show a hierarchy bar at the top of each [[Diagram window]] showing its nesting level.
  
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'''Show result warnings''': If checked, it stops evaluation and shows a warning message, when it encounters a warning condition. If unchecked, it continues without displaying a warning.
  
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''Show module hierarchy''
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'''Auto recompute outgoing OLE links''': Analytica automatically recomputes and updates [[OLE linking|OLE-linked]] tables whenever model changes affect them. With large models, it is sometimes best to uncheck this box to avoid immediate time-consuming recomputation after each small change.
  
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Show a red triangle in the upper-right corner of nodes that have text in their description attribute:
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'''Use Excel date origin''': When this is unchecked, Analytica represents dates as a number indicating the number of days since January 1, 1904. When this is checked, is uses January 1, 1900, the same as Excel for Windows.
  
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[[Image:]]<u> </u>Node is flagged with a red triangle to indicate that it has a description
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== Legacy model settings ==
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''These exist to support backward compatibility with models created in earlier releases.''
  
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[[Image:]]
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'''Domain acts as self index''': In Analytica 4.2 and earlier, when the domain was defined as a list of values, that list also acted as the [[self]]-index of the variable. Analytica 4.3 separates the self-index from the domain index of a variable, which enables the two to be distinct and leads to a cleaner semantics for the [[domain attribute]]. Checking this preference preserves the pre-4.3 semantics, which ensures backward compatibility when it is required. When you load a legacy model into Analytica 4.3, this preference will be checked initially. When you turn this off in [[Analytica 5.1]] or later, you'll be presented with an option to have Analytica scan your model and rewrite definitions that may be impacted. See [[Preferences dialog/Turning off Domain acts as self index|Turning off Domain acts as self index]].
  
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Show a hierarchy bar at the top of each '''Diagram '''window showing its nesting level. See [#_bookmark1687 page 35]0.''Show result warnings ''If checked, it stops evaluation and shows a warning message, when it encounters a warning condition. If unchecked, it continues without dis- playing a warning.''Auto recompute out- going [#_bookmark1613 OLE links]
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'''Proactively evaluate indexes''': Check to cause  Analytica to evaluate index objects immediately when opening a model. Uncheck it to speed up loading of a large model -- it will postpone evaluation of indexes until they are needed (such as when you view an edit table or compute a result using that index).
  
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Analytica automatically recomputes and updates OLE-linked tables whenever model changes affect them. With large models, it is some- times best to uncheck this box to avoid immediate time-consuming recomputation after each small change. See [#_bookmark1614 page 33]3.''Use Excel date origin''When this is unchecked, Analytica represents dates as a number indi- cating the number of days since January 1, 1904. When this is checked, is uses January 1, 1900, the same as Excel for Windows.''Domain acts as self index''
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'''{{Release||6.3|x+y returns NAN for text}}{{Release|6.4||Deprecated x+y behavior for text}}''': When {{Release||6.3|on}}{{Release|6.4||off}}, <code>x+y</code> does not report a warning or error when <code>x</code> or <code>y</code> is text, and returns [[NAN]] as the result. In addition, when [[Sum]] is applied to an array containing text without setting the «ignoreNonNumbers» parameter to true, the result will be [[NaN]], without a warning or error. Some legacy models have used + or [[Sum]] for text concatenation. This is a bad idea -- you should use & or [[JoinText]] for text concatenation. But to preserve that functionality without making changes to the model, you can turn {{Release||6.3|off}}{{Release|6.4||on}} this preference and also set [[MaxModelThreads]] to 1 to turn off multithreading.
  
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{{Release|6.4||'''m..n decrements when m>n''': (new in [[Analytica 6.4]]). When this is on, the [[Sequence Operator]] will return a decrementing list when m>n. For example, <code>5..2</code> returns <code>[5, 4, 3, 2]</code>.  When this is off (the recommended setting), the result is the empty list. The decrementing behavior is a common source of bugs, so was changed in the [[Analytica 6.4]] release. This preference setting is used to ensure backward compatibility when a legacy model is loaded into [[Analytica 6.4]] or later. This does not affect the [[Sequence]] function, which should be used if you want the decrementing behavior.}}
  
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''Proactively evaluate indexes''
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==See Also==
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<div style="column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;-webkit-column-count:2">
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* [[Expression Assist]]
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* [[Help balloons]]
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* [[Browse mode]]
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* [[Tooltip]]
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* [[CurrentModelFolder]]
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* [[Configuring Personalized Defaults]]
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* [[The domain of possible values]]
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* [[Domain attribute]]
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* [[OLE Linking]]
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* [[Proactive Evaluation]]
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* [[System Variables]]
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* [[Preferences dialog/How preference dialog settings are represented|How preference dialog settings are represented]]
 +
</div>
  
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In Analytica 4.2 and earlier, when the domain was defined as a list of values, that list also acted as the self-index of the variable. Analytica
 
  
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#
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<footer>Change class of an object/ {{PAGENAME}} / Building Effective Models </footer>
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## separates the self-index from the domain index of a variable, which enables the two to be distinct and leads to a cleaner semantics for the domain attribute. Checking this preference preserves the pre-4.3 semantics, which ensures backward compatibility when it is required.
 
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When you load a legacy model into Analytica 4.3, this preference will be checked initially.
 
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Specifies whether index objects should be evaluated immediately when a model is loaded. Turning this off speeds up the time required to load a model, postponing the evaluation of indexes until they are needed (such as when an edit table is viewed or a result is computed).
 
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==See Also==
 
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{| style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;width: 100%;border:0;table-layout: fixed;" cellpadding=5
 
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|- style="text-align: center"
 
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| [[To change the class of an object]] <- || [[Preferences dialog]] || -> [[Chapter 5: Building Effective Models]]
 
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|}
 
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</translate>
 

Latest revision as of 22:49, 11 February 2025

Analytica User GuideCreate and edit a modelPreferences dialog



Release:

4.6  •  5.0  •  5.1  •  5.2  •  5.3  •  5.4  •  6.0  •  6.1  •  6.2  •  6.3  •  6.4  •  6.5  •  6.6


The Preferences dialog lets you inspect and set a variety of general preferences and styles. To open this dialog, select Preferences from the Edit menu.

Preferences 6.4.png

The easiest way to learn what each preference does is to move the mouse over it, and read the Tooltip (as in all dialog boxes). See below if you need more details.

Most preference settings are saved with the model. But, Personal preferences (in the lower left quadrant of the dialog) apply to all models for this user on this computer. For example, if you uncheck Maintain recover info, it will stop saving a recovery file for all your models (not recommended!)

Change identifier

Normally, Analytica generates an identifier from the Title you give to each object, using thefirst 20 characters, and substituting '_' for any spaces or punctuation characters, (See Creating and editing nodes for more.)

When title changes: Check this box to change an object's identifier whenever you change its title. If not checked, it changes the identifier only when you explicitly edit it.

Ask before renaming: Check this box to see a confirmation dialog before it automatically changes any identifier.

ToolbarExprButton.png Opens: When you click ToolbarExprButton.png in the toolbar, press Control+e, or choose to edit a variable from a warning message, it shows the definition of the variable or function, in whichever of these views you select:

Personal Preferences

These Personal preferences are saved on your computer so they apply to all models you run on this computer. This is unlike the other preferences, which are saved with the model and apply only to that model when run on any computer.

Use Return to enter data: A standard MS Windows keyboard has a Return key located on the alphanumeric section of the keyboard, and a separate Enter key located on the numeric keyboard. When this checkbox is unchecked (the default), the Return key starts a new line in a multi-lined text field (such as a definition) while the Enter key or Alt+Return signal that the data entry is complete. When checked, these are reversed, with Enter or Alt+Return starting a new line and Return completing the entry of data.

Maintain recovery info: When this checkbox is checked (the default), Analytica saves each change to a recovery file, starting from the last point at which the model was saved. If the application terminates unexpectedly due to a software or hardware problem, the next time you start Analytica, it detects the recovery file and displays a dialog offering to resume the model where you left off, including all changes. The only reason to switch off this option is when you are editing huge edit tables, in which case, this feature can slow down editing and consume significant disk space for the recovery file. Even when Maintain Recovery Info is checked, we recommend you save your model at frequent intervals.

Expression assist: When checked (the default), it shows the Expression assist pop-up window as you type into the definition of a variable or function. It a list of identifiers that match a partial identifier and help on function parameters. When unchecked, it won't show the popup window as you type, but you can still open them by typing Ctrl+space, or Ctrl+? to toggle it on and off. See Creating or editing a definition.

Help balloons: When checked, it shows a help balloon when you move the mouse cursor over a node for a second -- if the node has a Description or Help attribute. The balloon provides a convenient way for end-users to browse a model. By default, balloons are only active in browse mode. When you uncheck ...only inbrowse mode, balloons also appear in edit mode.

Large text in attributes & tables: Check to use a larger font size (11 pt) in the attribute panel, object window and table cells. (This doesn't affect font size in influence diagrams. For that, use Diagram Style dialog and Node Style dialog.)

Max open windows: Set the maximum number of Analytica windows open at one time. When you open a new window, if it already has this many open, it first closes the window that has been inactive for the longest. This avoids cluttering up your screen and computer resources to display lots of windows that are anyway hidden behind other windows.

Default result view

When you first display the Result window for a variable, it shows the result first using the view you select:

  • Chapter4 36.png Display result as a table.
  • Chapter4 37.png Display result as a graph.

If you change the view in the result window, it remembers that view when you reopen that result.

Model preferences

Check variable class: Display a warning if:

  • A variable whose class is not Chance contains a probability distribution.
  • A constant depends on another variable (other than indexes to an edit table).

Check value bounds: Enables out-of-range warnings when:

  • ...against Check attribute: the computed value of a variable falls outside the range specified by the Domain attribute
  • ..against domain bounds: the computed value fails to satisfy the expression specified in the Check attribute.

Show undefined: Nodes without a valid definition display with cross-hatching:


Chapter4 38.png

Show result mode icons: mid, µ±: Display a small icon to the right of a User output node to indicate which uncertainty view is selected.

Flag nodes without descriptions: Show a red triangle in the upper-right corner of nodes that have no text in their description attribute:

Node with no description.png

Show module hierarchy: Show a hierarchy bar at the top of each Diagram window showing its nesting level.

Show result warnings: If checked, it stops evaluation and shows a warning message, when it encounters a warning condition. If unchecked, it continues without displaying a warning.

Auto recompute outgoing OLE links: Analytica automatically recomputes and updates OLE-linked tables whenever model changes affect them. With large models, it is sometimes best to uncheck this box to avoid immediate time-consuming recomputation after each small change.

Use Excel date origin: When this is unchecked, Analytica represents dates as a number indicating the number of days since January 1, 1904. When this is checked, is uses January 1, 1900, the same as Excel for Windows.

Legacy model settings

These exist to support backward compatibility with models created in earlier releases.

Domain acts as self index: In Analytica 4.2 and earlier, when the domain was defined as a list of values, that list also acted as the self-index of the variable. Analytica 4.3 separates the self-index from the domain index of a variable, which enables the two to be distinct and leads to a cleaner semantics for the domain attribute. Checking this preference preserves the pre-4.3 semantics, which ensures backward compatibility when it is required. When you load a legacy model into Analytica 4.3, this preference will be checked initially. When you turn this off in Analytica 5.1 or later, you'll be presented with an option to have Analytica scan your model and rewrite definitions that may be impacted. See Turning off Domain acts as self index.

Proactively evaluate indexes: Check to cause Analytica to evaluate index objects immediately when opening a model. Uncheck it to speed up loading of a large model -- it will postpone evaluation of indexes until they are needed (such as when you view an edit table or compute a result using that index).

Deprecated x+y behavior for text: When off, x+y does not report a warning or error when x or y is text, and returns NAN as the result. In addition, when Sum is applied to an array containing text without setting the «ignoreNonNumbers» parameter to true, the result will be NaN, without a warning or error. Some legacy models have used + or Sum for text concatenation. This is a bad idea -- you should use & or JoinText for text concatenation. But to preserve that functionality without making changes to the model, you can turn on this preference and also set MaxModelThreads to 1 to turn off multithreading.

m..n decrements when m>n: (new in Analytica 6.4). When this is on, the Sequence Operator will return a decrementing list when m>n. For example, 5..2 returns [5, 4, 3, 2]. When this is off (the recommended setting), the result is the empty list. The decrementing behavior is a common source of bugs, so was changed in the Analytica 6.4 release. This preference setting is used to ensure backward compatibility when a legacy model is loaded into Analytica 6.4 or later. This does not affect the Sequence function, which should be used if you want the decrementing behavior.

See Also


Change class of an objectPreferences dialogBuilding Effective Models
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