APPENDIX J Running Models Without GUI

APPENDIX J
Running Models Without GUI

SIMPROCESS models can be run without the SIMPROCESS Graphical User Interface (GUI). There are two executables in the SIMPROCESS directory: SIMPROCESS and SPRunSimulation (any extensions are platform specific). The SIMPROCESS program starts the SIMPROCESS GUI, required to build and edit models. This GUI is typically used to run models as well. However, SPRunSimulation can be used to run a SIMPROCESS model without the GUI. A valid license.dat file is required to run SIMPROCESS and SPRunSimulation. The same license file is used for both.

Since access to the GUI is not available, results of the run must be automatically output to the SIMPROCESS database (see page 375), user created files, or a user created database. Statistics collected during the run can be accessed using System Methods. (See "Accessing Statistics During Simulation" on page 308.) The Standard Report can be generated automatically after the run by selecting Generate Standard Report after run on the Statistics Collection dialog. (See "Generating Standard Reports From Experiments" on page 399.)

To run a model with SPRunSimulation, either execute commands from a command prompt or create a batch file or a shell script. The command must include SPRunSimulation and the complete path to the model that is to be run, as shown in this example for Windows.

SPRunSimulation "C:\Program Files\SIMPROCESS\models\Demos\Purchasing.spm"

The above is the simplest form for running a model without the GUI. However, model parameters (see page 243) and process alternatives can be set as well as the number of replications. In addition, the simulation results can be automatically placed in the SIMPROCESS database, and the model can be saved. These options can be set either on the command line or by using a properties file.

Available Options

The following options can be set on the command line or in a properties file. The format of the option is always the name of the option followed with no spaces by an equals sign followed with no spaces by the value.

· Any global attribute designated as a model parameter - Model.NumResource1=2

· Any process alternative - "Process name=Alternative name"

· Number of replications - Replications=5

· Design for committing the results to the SIMPROCESS database - "Design=My Design"

· Scenario for committing the results to the SIMPROCESS database (must be used if Design is used) - "Scenario=My Scenario"

· Option to save the model after the parameters are set (thus, the next time the model is opened in SIMPROCESS, the model parameters set by command line or properties file retain their latest value) - Save=True (the absence of this option is equivalent to Save=False)

· Can set the starting and/or ending date and time of the model. Absence of the time portion indicates midnight. - Start=1/1/2005, End=1/1/2006 08:00:00.

Note: Design and Scenario should not be used on Linux since the SIMPROCESS database is an Access database and is not available for Linux systems. Also, Design and Scenario should not be used on Windows if the appropriate steps have not been taken to set up the database connection (See Chapter 2 of the SIMPROCESS Getting Started Manual.)

Setting Options on Command Line

Any parameters to be set must follow the model on the command line. For example

SPRunSimulation "C:\Program Files\SIMPROCESS\models\Demos\Purchasing.spm" Model.NumProdAPersonnel=6 Model.NumProdBPersonnel=4 "Purchasing=Centralized, Functional" Replications=2 "Design=2 Reps" "Scenario=Scenario 1" Save=True

Parameters that have spaces must be in quotes. The order of the parameters following the model is not important. If Design and Scenario are omitted, then the results are not committed to the database.

Setting Options Using Properties File

The preferred method for setting parameters is to use a properties file. The file can have any name as long as the extension is .properties. When using a properties file, the properties file name follows the model on the command line.

SPRunSimulation "C:\Program Files\SIMPROCESS\models\Demos\Purchasing.spm" "C:\Program Files\SIMPROCESS\models\Demos\Purchasing\Purchasing.properties"

This example shows a file named Purchasing.properties that is in the directory of the Purchasing.spm model. The following is an example of a properties file. Three model parameters are set, one process alternative is set (Purchasing), the number of replications is set, and the Design and Scenario are set. The order is not important. Do not include a Design and Scenario if the results of the run should not be committed to the SIMPROCESS database.

Model.NumProdAPersonnel=6

Model.NumProdBPersonnel=4

Model.NumProdCPersonnel=4

Purchasing=Centralized, Functional

Scenario=s1

Design=New Design

Replications=2