Vensim introducing backslashes in Var names before each underbar. Bug?
Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2021 3:10 pm
I am working with underbars turned on in variable_names.
In an important model I am working in, when I edit a variable name, quotes and backslashes are introduced to the pre-existing part of variable names. Then the variables in which these variable names are used are complaining that they can't find the variables (in the equation editor, in the variables sections they do not appear.
The problem does not occur when I am working with underbars turned off. And the problem does not appear in all models but in only one specific model. I cannot share the model in which the problem is occurring due to intellectual property rights policy in the company I work for. However I have pasted an example of the problem into another model that I have attached.
If you have underbars turned off there is a variable that appears as ‘another_variable edited’. If underbars are turned on it appears as another_variable_edited, in the equation editor (and in the text view of the model it appears as "another\_variable edited" (with the quotes). I would expect this result if I had underbars turned off and typed an underbar. Because then vensim would think the underbar is part of the variable name and the quotes and the backslash are Vensims way of implementing that. However, this happens if I have underbars turned on and type a space! It does not happen when I first create a variable but it happens when I edit an existing variable.
One could also think that this happens because when editing a variable, an underbar is shown and then a space is used in the second variable. However, if I try the same in other models, the problem does not occur. This suggests that there is something in the model that causes vensim to do what it should not do. Do you have any idea what this is? It’s almost as if while the settings tell vensim that underbars are turned on, something in the model is telling vensim that they are turned off.
I can work normally if I turn underbars off. The problem is though that multiple people are working on the model which resides in a versioned repository and the convention is to have underbars turned on. This convention is somewhat important as it affects the text form of the model when it is saved. So right now, as a workaround I work with underbars turned-off and then before I update the version shared with the other modellers, I have to be extra careful to remind myself to turn them on again before saving the model.
Is this a known bug in Vensim 8.0.9 that has been solved in subsequent Vensim Versions? I am asking because a colleague of mine is also in negotiations with you about updating our companie’s licences for Vensim.
In an important model I am working in, when I edit a variable name, quotes and backslashes are introduced to the pre-existing part of variable names. Then the variables in which these variable names are used are complaining that they can't find the variables (in the equation editor, in the variables sections they do not appear.
The problem does not occur when I am working with underbars turned off. And the problem does not appear in all models but in only one specific model. I cannot share the model in which the problem is occurring due to intellectual property rights policy in the company I work for. However I have pasted an example of the problem into another model that I have attached.
If you have underbars turned off there is a variable that appears as ‘another_variable edited’. If underbars are turned on it appears as another_variable_edited, in the equation editor (and in the text view of the model it appears as "another\_variable edited" (with the quotes). I would expect this result if I had underbars turned off and typed an underbar. Because then vensim would think the underbar is part of the variable name and the quotes and the backslash are Vensims way of implementing that. However, this happens if I have underbars turned on and type a space! It does not happen when I first create a variable but it happens when I edit an existing variable.
One could also think that this happens because when editing a variable, an underbar is shown and then a space is used in the second variable. However, if I try the same in other models, the problem does not occur. This suggests that there is something in the model that causes vensim to do what it should not do. Do you have any idea what this is? It’s almost as if while the settings tell vensim that underbars are turned on, something in the model is telling vensim that they are turned off.
I can work normally if I turn underbars off. The problem is though that multiple people are working on the model which resides in a versioned repository and the convention is to have underbars turned on. This convention is somewhat important as it affects the text form of the model when it is saved. So right now, as a workaround I work with underbars turned-off and then before I update the version shared with the other modellers, I have to be extra careful to remind myself to turn them on again before saving the model.
Is this a known bug in Vensim 8.0.9 that has been solved in subsequent Vensim Versions? I am asking because a colleague of mine is also in negotiations with you about updating our companie’s licences for Vensim.