Working with external data

Simile provides a mechanism to enable data to be associated with model variables when you run the model, rather than having the values built into the model itself. The mechanism is based on a file called the scenario file. For each variable, this file contains either the actual values, or a reference to another file which contains the values. This other file can be a text file, in CSV (comma-separated value) format containing the data, either in a single column or as a grid of values. Alternatively it can be an image file, with each pixel standing for a data value according to its colour, or any of a range of other raw data formats.

A "scenario" is then the set of all the values required for the model to run. These include parameter values, site conditions, initial values for compartments, time-series data (e.g. a rainfall record), etc.

Overview of the scenario file mechanism

Using the scenario file mechanism

Modifying scenario values during a session

Working with time series

Keeping raw data in the scenario file

In: Contents