Linking Elements to a Database

In simulations which require a great deal of input, it may be desirable (or even mandated) that the simulation model The implementation of a mathematical model of a system within a specific computational tool (or set of tools). can access the various data sources directly to facilitate and ensure the quality of the data transfer.

One way to accomplish this in GoldSim is to import data from spreadsheets into a Spreadsheet element An element that can dynamically link to an Excel spreadsheet. or into Lookup Tables or Time Series elements.

GoldSim also provides a more powerful method. In particular, GoldSim data entry elements can be linked directly to an ODBC-compliant database.

After defining the linkage, you can then instruct GoldSim to download the data at any time. When it does this, GoldSim internally records the time and date at which the download occurred, along with other reference information retrieved from the database (e.g., document references), and this is stored with the model in the Run Log Text that is stored with a GoldSim model once it has been run. It contains basic information regarding the simulation, and any warning or error messages that were generated.. This information is also displayed in the tool-tip for the linked element.

This allows you to confirm that the correct data were loaded into your model, and provides very strong and defensible quality control over your model input data.

The following elements can be downloaded from a database:

• Data elements;
• 1-D and 2-D Lookup Table elements; and
• Stochastic elements.

There are three steps involved in linking an element to a database:

1. Creating a database which is compatible with GoldSim;
2. Adding the database as a data source A source of data external to your GoldSim model that can be automatically imported into GoldSim elements. External data sources are either spreadsheets, text files, databases or DLLs. to your computer; and
3. Linking an element to the database and downloading the data.