How to insert non-evaluated comment lines in savelist?

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kleemax
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How to insert non-evaluated comment lines in savelist?

Post by kleemax »

Is there a way to insert a line in a savelist (.list file) that is not evaluated when the savelist is used (for export, simulation etc.)?
I have tried a preceeding colon ":" (as in .cin-files) or an enclosing curly brackets "{...}".
The export works, but I still get error messages.
Is there a preceeding or enclosing character defined, which would supress the error message since Vensim then is signalled that this is merely a comment in the syntax?
Administrator
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Re: How to insert non-evaluated comment lines in savelist?

Post by Administrator »

There is no way at the moment, but I'll add it.
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Re: How to insert non-evaluated comment lines in savelist?

Post by Administrator »

Actually there seems to be a way to do it. Add a ! at the start of the line.
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kleemax
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Re: How to insert non-evaluated comment lines in savelist?

Post by kleemax »

Does not seem to work with "!", I get the following error:
WARNING: Error exporting : '! comment-text' is specified in savelist for export, but it is not in the dataset (simulationrunname.vdfx). Cannot export..
tomfid
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Re: How to insert non-evaluated comment lines in savelist?

Post by tomfid »

Out of curiosity, why would this be needed?
kleemax
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Re: How to insert non-evaluated comment lines in savelist?

Post by kleemax »

Sure:
This could be most helpful if a variable name in the model has changed so the savelist needs an update. The heading then could make it easier to find the new variable.
In addition, our model is big and the variable names are sometimes not self-explanatory. People working on it have differing skill levels, so explanations are always helpful.
Also, Sometimes a headline could be helpful that clusters a couple of variables following it in the save-list.
tomfid
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Re: How to insert non-evaluated comment lines in savelist?

Post by tomfid »

Makes sense. I can think of several other ways to help with this:

- Put a field connected to the current savelist in the equation editor, so variables could be added to the list upon creation/modification.
- Display units & documentation when hovering on a variable in the savelist editor dialog.
- Have a right-click method on the diagram for adding items to the savelist.
- Provide some assistance with finding/fixing name changes in the editor.
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Re: How to insert non-evaluated comment lines in savelist?

Post by Administrator »

kleemax wrote: Wed Apr 27, 2022 3:16 pm Does not seem to work with "!", I get the following error:
WARNING: Error exporting : '! comment-text' is specified in savelist for export, but it is not in the dataset (simulationrunname.vdfx). Cannot export..
This is just a warning so it should still export ok. I'll disable the message if there is a ! at the start of the line.
Advice to posters seeking help (it really helps us to help you)
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