HELP (Программа GPSS)

File Menu Commands

The File menu offers the following commands:

New Creates a new GPSS World Object.

Open Opens an existing GPSS World Object.

Close Closes an opened GPSS World Object.

Save Saves an opened GPSS World Object using the same file name.

Save As Saves an opened GPSS World Object to a specified file name.

Print Prints a GPSS World Object.

Print Setup Selects a printer and printer connection.

Download Notices Opens the "Download Notices" page in the built-in Internet browser.

Register Software... Creates and optionally sends a Registration Message to Minuteman Software.

Exit Exits GPSS World.

New Command ( File Menu )

Use this command to create a new GPSS World Object. Select the type of Object you want to create in the File New dialog box. You can open an existing Object with the Open command.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys: CTRL+

File New Dialog Box

Specify the type of Object you wish to create:

Model Object

Text File Object

Open Command ( File Menu )

Use this command to open an existing Object in a new window. You can open multiple Objects at once. Use the Window menu to switch among the multiple open Objects. See Window 1, 2, ... command.

You can create new Objects with the New command.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys: CTRL+O

Open Command ( File Menu )

Use this command to open an existing Object in a new window. You can open multiple Objects at once. Use the Window menu to switch among the multiple open Objects. See Window 1, 2, ... command.

You can create new Objects with the New command.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys: CTRL+O

Close Command ( File Menu )

Use this command to close all windows containing the active Object. GPSS World suggests that you save changes to your Object before you close it. If you close an Object without saving, you lose all changes made since the last time you saved it. Before closing an untitled Object, GPSS World displays the Save As dialog box and suggests that you name and save the Object.

You can also close an Object by using the Close icon on the Object’s window, as shown below:

Save Command ( File Menu )

Use this command to save the active Object to its current name and directory. When you save an Object for the first time, GPSS World displays the Save As dialog box so you can name your Object. If you want to change the name and directory of an existing Object before you save it, choose the Save As command.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys: CTRL+S

Save As Command ( File Menu )

Use this command to save and name the active Object. GPSS World displays the Save As dialog box so you can name your Object.

To save an Object with its existing name and directory, use the Save command.

Print command (File menu)

Use this command to print a document. This command presents a Print dialog box, where you may specify the range of pages to be printed, the number of copies, the destination printer, and other printer setup options.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys: CTRL+P

Download Notices Command ( File Menu )

Use this command to open the built-in browser on the "Download Notices" Page on the Internet. You can then download the latest Notices File (GPSSW.ntc) into your Module Directory. You should replace the Notices File that is there now.

Chapter 2 - Operating GPSS World

This chapter contains a discussion of the organization of the features available in GPSS World and how to operate them. We first go through the installation procedure and then discuss the normal operation of an installed GPSS World package. Specific windows are discussed only briefly. An additional treatment of each window type can be found in Chapter 5. Explanations of error messages are in Chapter 14.

2.1. Installation

Normal installation of GPSS World places a copy of the executable files, the help file, and the GPSS Sample Models into folders, sometimes called directories, on your computer. Online HTML Documentation, such as this Reference Manual and the GPSS World Tutorial Manual are normally included in the installation of the Commercial Version of GPSS World. For Student Version installations the HTML manuals must be downloaded and/or copied separately. Both manuals are available in hardcopy form. All installations include the Reference Manual in the form of online help.

2.1.1. Overview

Your installation will begin when you run the self-extracting executable file downloaded from MinutemanSoftware.com or when you insert, or run the startup program on, an authentic GPSS World Commercial Version Distribution CD. Unfortunately, we are not able to support software obtained in any other way.

There are two important issues to be dealt with right at the beginning. First, you should ensure that if your existing Model Objects have become obsolete that they will be preserved, i.e. usable, after the installation. Second, you should then uninstall any existing installation of the same GPSS World product.

2.1.2. Preserving Obsolete Objects

If you are replacing an existing GPSS World installation, you should first determine if your old Model Objectswill have to be updated. Although we try not to impose this inconvenience on you, occasionally the internal format of Model Objects must be changed. Before you begin the installation, download the current notices or view the general information page on the MinutemanSoftware.com Internet Web site to determine compatibility. If the Model Objects of the new version you are installing are incompatible with your existing Model Objects, you need to save your the text of each existing Model Object before you continue with the installation. To do so, open each of your Model Objects and use the Windows clipboard to save the text in each Model Object (.gps file) into a newly created Text Object. Then, after the installation, you can again use the clipboard to move the Model Statements into newly created Model Objects of the new kind. You do not have to update existing Text Objects. If you are not using the default Model Settings, you will also need to modify the Settings in each new Model Object. For that purpose, you may want to record all the old Settings before the installation. Settings can be viewed or changed using the Edit / Settings menu item in the Main Window.

Usually, the new Model Objects will be compatible with the old so that you won't have to do all this.

Although the internal format of Model Objects usually does not change from one release of GPSS World to the next, this is not true for Simulation Objects. Usually, but not always, you will have to retranslate your Models using the new version of GPSS World, thereby creating new Simulation Objects. As long as your old Model Objects are compatible with the new ones, this is a simple matter. The only thing to worry about is that if you have made changes to the Settings of the old Simulation Objects. If so, you will have to change those same Settings in the new Simulation Object using the Edit / Settings menu command. You may want to record the old values before proceeding.

2.1.3. Uninstalling the old GPSS World

Before beginning the installation, we recommend that you remove any existing old installation of the same GPSS World Product. (The Student and Commercial Versions are different products). This will not remove your own Objects, only the ones that were installed originally with GPSS World. The Uninstall operation is done though the Add / Remove folder in the Control Panel of your operating system. Usually, your old Commercial Version software key will be preserved if you install into the same directory. You can install the Student Version of GPSS World even if you already have the Commercial Version installed, and vice versa.

After any old installationhas been removed, you are ready to install GPSS World. If you are installing from a CD into a system with the autorun capability enabled, simply inserting the CD will start the Setup program. Otherwise, open the CD icon in your My Computer folder and double click on the Setup icon.

It's even easier if you are installing from a World.exe or Student.exe self-extracting file downloaded from MinutemanSoftware.com. Just double click on its icon and the GPSS World setup program will begin.

2.1.4. Installation Requirements

First, you should check that the installation requirements have been met.

Configuration Requirements

1. The use of the GPSS World Package requires an IBM compatible computer running Windows 95 or a compatible operating system.

2. We recommend an Intel Pentium III CPU, or better.

3. Floating point math coprocessorcapabilities are strongly recommended, but not required. Most CPU chips marketed today have floating point processors.

4. A mouse is strongly recommended. Although simulations can be built and run without a mouse, some optional operations require the use of one.

5. At least 32 megabytes of random access memory (RAM) is recommended.

6. At least 15 megabytes of hard disk spaceis required for installation of all components of the Commercial Version. More is recommended for holding Model Files. In addition, adequate swap spacemust be available to the Windows Virtual Memory Manager.

7. CD drive is required only if installation is from CD medium.

8. For use of the Commercial Version of GPSS World, a numeric user key is required for the operation of the software. This numeric key must be obtained from MinutemanSoftware.com after the basic installation process has completed.

Version Restrictions

1. The Student Version of GPSS World is limited to simulations containing no more than 150 GPSS Block Entities. The Commercial Version can run simulations of millions of blocks since it is limited only by the size of the virtual memory provided by your operating system. For optimal performance you should have enough RAM on your personal computer so that all simulations to be run at one time can fit in it.

2. The Student Version cannot open simulations saved by the Commercial Version of GPSS World. The Commercial Version can open any simulation of the same version number, as well as those with other compatible version numbers.

3. The Student Version of GPSS World does not support the GPSS/PC Compatibility Mode. The Commercial Version does.

2.1.5. File Folders/Directories

Although you can choose otherwise, the GPSS World setup program normally installs the software in the Minuteman Software folder in your computer's Program Files folder. In the following discussion we will use "folder" and "directory" synonymously. The Commercial Version of GPSS World will be placed in a folder named Commercial GPSS World in the Minuteman Software folder. The Samples folder, which holds all the examples, is then placed in that. Files pertaining to the operation of GPSS World are normally placed in the "module directory", i.e. the one containing the GPSS World executable files. Other sharable executables may be placed in one of your computer's system directories if they are not already present.

The operation of GPSS World results in the creation of several different files on your computer. Files for notices, registration information, and user keys are created in the module directory. You Control the other file placements when you open and save GPSS World Objects. Just as with GPSS World Objects, Data Streams can be directed to specific directories by your GPSS Open Statement. If you specify only a filename and not a path, the directory containing your Simulation Object is used.

Unless you direct otherwise in the File / Save As menu item, Simulation Objects will be placed with their parent Model Objects, and Report Objects will be placed with their parent Simulation Objects. Similarly, the search for Include-files begins in the Model Object's folder, or for Data Stream Text Objects in the Simulation Object's folder.

GPSS World can now invoke external programs directly by dynamic Call() Procedures. The rules for the location of the executable files containing the target functions are detailed in Chapter 8.

When you begin to build your own models you should create directories which make sense with respect to the project you are working on. For example, if you are investigating two very different inventory control strategies that need two very different models to simulate them, you may find advantages in placing them in separate directories. On the other hand, variants on a theme may best be organized in subfolders with the same parent.

2.1.6. The Installation Procedure

The use of all GPSS World products is governed by a license agreement which can be displayed during installation or by selecting Help / About in the Main Window of the program In addition, a “Read Me First” file may be part of the installed file set. If so, it contains timely information concerning procedures and the state of the software.

Once you begin the installation, the GPSS World setup program directs you through the process. After a short initialization, the first GPSS World Setup Window appears.

Figure 2—1. GPSS World Setup Window 1

After reading the information in this window

CLICK ON Next

Figure 2—2. GPSS World Setup Window 2

The MINUTEMAN Software Program License Window appears. If you agree to it,

CLICK ON Yes

Figure 2—3. GPSS World Setup Window 3

When your name and company is correct in window 3,

CLICK ON Next

Figure 2—4. GPSS World Setup Window 4

Window 4 lets you select the target directory for the installation. The Browse button is available to navigate to a new target folder.

When the target directory is correct,

CLICK ON Next

Figure 2—5. GPSS World Setup Window 5

Setup Window 5 lets you select the components of GPSS World that are to be installed. There are 3 components: the Application, the Reference Manual, and the Tutorial Manual. The Compact Installation installs only the Application and the Typical Installation installs all three. A Custom Installation allows you to select the components to be installed or to be added to a previous installation.