Overview

When a SyncroSim package is created, the designer of the package decides how all of the inputs and outputs for the package will be organized. The inputs and outputs are organized into data tables called datasheets (analagous to a table in a database or spreadsheet, or a dataframe in R), with predefined columns and unlimited number of rows. A special type of datasheet is one with only a single row of data. Datafeeds are a collection of datasheets that belong together, and are required for some SyncroSim packages, although often a datafeed consists of only a single datasheet.

Every SyncroSim library automatically stores all of the datasheets associated with the package that was used to create the library.

Scope

When configuring a package, the package developer defines the Scope of each datasheet as one of: library, project or scenario.

Library

Datasheets with a library scope are specified only once for the entire library, and thus it is shared across the entire library. Library datasheets can be viewed and edited by selecting the library name (in the Explorer) and then selecting Library Datafeeds from the File menu. There are several library datasheets that are considered System Datasheets - i.e, they are bundled with the SyncroSim software and are included in every library.

Project

Datasheets with a project scope are specified once for each project; its values are thus shared across all the scenarios within a particular project. Project datasheets can be viewed and edited by selecting the project name (in the Explorer) and then selecting Project Datafeeds from the File menu. New projects can be created using the New Project option on the Edit menu.

Typically project datasheets are definitions for the model - that is, values that do not change between model runs, and must be consistent across scenarios in order for scenarios to be meaningfully compared. The figure below shows an example of a project datasheet.

Scenario

Finally, datasheets with a scenario scope are specified once for each scenario; its values are thus unique to the particular scenario. Scenario datasheets can be viewed and edited by selecting the scenario name (in the Explorer) and double-clicking it. New scenarios can be created using the New option on the scenario menu.

System datasheets

System datasheets differ slightly from package datasheets in that their behaviour is controlled by SyncroSim, rather than by specific packages. For a full list of system datasheets, see the System Datasheets.