******************************************************* TreeAge Pro 2007 -- Beta Release 20 -- Notes 1 March 2007 ******************************************************* What's New in v2007 -- (details below): * Add COM library (TreeAgeProLib) to TreeAge Pro's Excel/COM module, for scripting: > ApplicationObj -- used to open or connect to trees, graphs, and other documents > TreeObj -- used to change and analyze tree documents > MonteOutput -- used to output graphs/reports from simulations > GraphObj -- used to output and manipulate graph documents > TextReportObj -- used to manipulate text reports > TableObj -- used to update/output table data > and much more... (NOTE: Old DataATLLib.CurrentTree object is no longer available, its functions handled by TreeAgeProLib.TreeObj and TreeAgeProLib.ApplicationObj objects in the v2007 library.) * Import/Export values to Excel -- The updated Excel module also includes changes to the Export Variables (from TreeAge) command as well as the Excel add-in's commands for adding/updating variables from the spreadsheet. Exporting a variable to Excel now includes extra information, allowing variables to be renamed from the spreadsheet. Also, when a non-root node is selected in the tree, exporting a variable to Excel includes its node-specific definition (as well as a default definition, if any). New TreeAge menu commands in Excel enable worksheets already including variables and tables to be "refreshed," in order to retrieve newer/modified versions from the tree. [Excel module] * Variables Report -- The Values > Reports > Variables... command now includes new options. For example, node-specific reporting can be done on variables in the tree using options for filtering out undefined variables in the currently selected path. * User-defined functions -- Custom functions can be quickly written in the straightforward but powerful Python language. Previously, using Python scripts in TreeAge was not easy. Now, Python functions can simply be written in a regular variable definition, for example: def DiscVal(val,yrs,rate=.05): denom = (1+rate)**yrs; return val/denom; Your custom Python functions can access tree variables and functions, Python's powerful built-in functions and objects, as well as the vast array of custom and third-party Python scripts and modules. (See -- http://docs.python.org and http://www.treeage.com/support/Python.html) * Documents View -- The TreeAge Pro window includes a floating window showing a "tree" depicting all open documents, as well as other active windows open for editing variables, tables, and other formulas/expressions. Clicking on a "node" in the Document View will bring up the selected window. The Documents View window can be resized, and closed/reopened (from the Window menu). * Node Outline pane -- The tree window adds a new dockable, hideable pane which displays the currently selected node in text/outline format. The Node Outline pane has its own new button on the TreeAge Pro tool bar. The text outline of a single selected node can be modified, and then the node can be updated with the click of a button. (The syntax for the node outline is the same as the tree outline available in previous versions. To see examples of syntax, simply open a tree and display the Node Outline pane, from the Display menu.) * C/E sensitivity analysis -- In cost-effectiveness models, 2-way, 3-way, and threshold analysis sensitivity analysis now can use Net Benefits calculations, making cost-effectiveness thresholds easy to identify. Also, a new Net Benefits command under the Analysis menu generates a line graph showing how each strategy's Net Benefits change as the willingness-to-pay increases. [Healthcare] * Variables display -- Improved the "wrap" option to avoid expanding the width of variable boxes that do not require wrapping. Also, turned off display of extra lines in user-defined Python function definitions (unless "wrap" option is turned on). * Docked Finder dialog -- The Options > Find/Replace tool can be docked (like the Properties grid, etc.) Regular Find/Replace dialog is still available, too. * Tables -- Global table file folder can be changed within TreeAge Pro. Go to Variables and Table dialog, and click on the Backup/Move button. Changing the table files location here sets a preference which overrides any TABLE.DIR text file settings. Use the Reset button to revert (deletes the preference setting). * Formula editor -- Display > Font... button works, allowing default font used for variables editing window to be changed to an easier-to-read size, for example. Also now works to edit probabilities for multiple selected nodes, as well as non- calculation fields (e.g., node labels and text boxes). * Statistics -- Statistical reporting much faster on very long lists of numbers (i.e., millions) * Simulations -- Virtual memory requirements of very long simulations (or long runs on trees with many outputs) handled better. Under Windows XP for example, running more than 1.3 million iterations on a tree with 100 output columns (e.g., C/E for 5 strategies, with 18 trackers) previously would exceed virtual memory allowed to a program (~1.5GB). A new user-specified threshold memory size setting (default=500MB) is used to swap outputs to temporary files (requires sufficient space on TEMP folder drive). * Debug pane -- New preference to limit lines of output in debug pane will speed up its operation, especially during simulations. * Distributions -- Approximations for Beta, Gamma, and Lognormal are easier to use and modify. * Influence diagrams -- New preferences allow user to control style of border around either noteboxes or arc information notes. Also, arcs between incomplete nodes (e.g., no alternatives) can be displayed as gray dashed lines, like structure-only arcs. Changes in v2007, Beta 1 (20 Nov 2006): * COM library (Excel module) -- Integrate TreeAge Pro Interactive COM/ActiveX objects into TreeAge Pro's COM library, for use from other programs like VB and VBA. * User-defined functions -- Custom functions can be quickly written in the straightforward but powerful Python language. Previously, using Python scripts in TreeAge was not easy. Now, Python functions can simply be written in a regular variable definition. The function can be called via TreeAge Pro's "User()" function, for example: Markov Init Rwd: User("DiscVal"; costTx; _stage; .03) * Statistics -- Statistical calculations done much faster on very long simulation runs. * Formula editor -- Works to edit probabilities on multiple selected nodes. Also works to edit non-calculation fields (e.g., node labels, text boxes). * CTRL + Number -- Jumping to branches by number works with numeric keypad. Changes in v2007, Beta 2 (8 Dec 2006): * COM library/scripting: > Add MonteCarloBatch callback event, making it possible to send messages back to the calling script that initiated the simulation. The messages notify the script about simulation progress (about 20 times per simulation, when a batch is completed. Also, enabled MarkovStage events. > Fix problems with NodeObj.SetVariable() and ApplicationObj.TopDocSaveAs(). * User-defined functions -- If no required (e.g., all optional) arguments, can be called in a formula simply with the variable name. Changes in v2007, Beta 3 (15 Dec 2006): * Variables display -- Improved the "wrap" option to avoid expanding the width of variable boxes that do not require wrapping. Also, turned off display of extra lines in user-defined Python function definitions (unless "wrap" option is turned on). * User-defined functions -- Added tree functions callable from within user-defined Python scripts, primarily: # "eval()" Returns value of quoted string (e.g., variable or other expression). localVal = treeage.eval("Dist(1)"); # Evaluated in the current node context # "addTableRows()" returns # rows added to TreeAge table from list of lists rows = treeage.addTableRows(listX, "myTable", true); # true=clear table * Formula editor -- Display > Font... button works, allowing default font used for variables editing window to be changed to an easier-to-read size, for example. Changes in v2007, Beta 4 (19 Dec 2006): * PathProb() function -- Now takes optional arguments specifying a path to a node. For example, "PathProb(2;3)" will return the path probability of 3rd branch of the 2nd branch of the root node. * COM library (ActiveX): > TreeObj->GetTable(nm) method activated. > TableObj->GetData(hdrs, data) method created, returning two arrays, a one-dimensional array of header texts and a two-dimensional array of values. Changes in v2007, Beta 5 (28 Dec 2006): * Simulations -- A new user-specified threshold memory size setting (default=500MB) is used to swap very long simulation outputs to temporary files (requires sufficient space on TEMP folder drive). Also possible to trick TreeAge into saving only a fraction (1 temp file) of simulation outputs by deleting some of current MCS window's temp files. * Previous Beta versions not releasing memory when opening a saved MCS file and then closing it again. Fixed. Changes in v2007, Beta 6 (28 Dec 2006): * Minor fix to simulation memory preferences. * Temporarily disabled trick for saving fraction of simulation by deleting some MCS temp files. Changes in v2007, Beta 7 (3 Jan 2007): * COM library/scripting -- Changed name of library from DataATL to TreeAgePro (for example, namespace in Excel VBA is now "TreeAgeProLib" instead of "TreeAgeProLib"). * 2-, 3-way C/E sensitivity -- Net Benefits calculations enabled in multi-way sensitivity analysis region graphs under cost-effectiveness calculations. * Tables -- Global table file folder can be changed within TreeAge Pro. Go to Variables and Table dialog, and click on the Backup/Move button. Changing the table files location here sets a preference which overrides any TABLE.DIR text file settings. Use the Reset button to revert (deletes the preference setting). * Enabled GIF graphic outputs. Changes in v2007, Beta 8 (8 Jan 2007) * Threshold analysis -- Under C/E calculations, now uses Net Benefits calculations, making cost-effectiveness thresholds easy to identify. [Healthcare] * Net Benefits - A new Net Benefits... command under the Analysis menu generates a line graph showing how each strategy's Net Benefits change as the willingness-to-pay increases. [Healthcare] * Debug pane -- New preference to limit lines of output in debug pane will speed up its operation, especially during simulations. * Distributions -- Approximations for Beta, Gamma, and Lognormal are easier to use and modify. * Influence diagrams -- New preferences allow user to control style of border around either noteboxes or arc information notes. Also, arcs between incomplete nodes (e.g., no alternatives) can be displayed as gray dashed lines, like structure-only arcs. Changes in v2007, Beta 9 (19 Jan 2007) * Node Outline pane -- The tree window adds a new dockable, hideable pane which displays the currently selected node in text/outline format. The Node Outline pane has its own new button on the TreeAge Pro tool bar. The text outline of a single selected node can be modified, and then the node can be updated with the click of a button. (The syntax for the node outline is the same as the tree outline available in previous versions. To see examples of syntax, simply open a tree and display the Node Outline pane, from the Display menu.) * Documents View -- The TreeAge Pro window includes a new floating window that shows a "tree" depicting all open documents, as well as other active windows open for editing variables, tables, and other formulas/expressions. Clicking on a "node" in the Documents View will bring up the selected window. The Documents View window can be resized, and closed/reopened (from the Window menu). * Docker Finder -- The Options > Find/Replace tool can now be opened as a dockable window. The regular Find/Replace tool window is still available, as well. * Import/Export variables -- The updated Excel module also includes changes to the Export Variables (from TreeAge) command as well as the Excel add-in's commands for adding/updating variables from the spreadsheet. [Excel module] * Variables Report -- The Values > Reports > Variables... command now includes new options. For example, node-specific reporting can be done on variables in the tree using options for filtering out undefined variables in the currently selected path. * Bug fixes: > Recent beta wasn't opening saved Monte Carlo windows with any identifying variables; fixed. Changes in v2007, Beta 10 (24 Jan 2007) * Bug fixes: > In beta, Node Outline window was not updating/creating clone masters; fixed. > In beta, Excel add-in's TreeCalc() worksheet function not working; fixed. Changes in v2007, Beta 11 (25 Jan 2007) * Bug fixes: > In beta, updating variables from Excel required "original name" column; fixed. > In beta, Variables Window not allowing editing of inherited definitions; fixed. > In beta, 1-way sensitivity analysis not displaying results in non-CE trees; fixed. > Parallel Markov trials/microsimulation not compatible with special update trackers during EV calcs setting; fixed. * Command() function -- Added Command("Excel";"Macro";"myMacro";param1) syntax for running an Excel macro. [Excel module] Changes in v2007, Beta 12 (26 Jan 2007) * Command() function -- Added Command("Excel";"ExportGlobalMatrix";WorkbookFile; SheetName;CellName;LabelText) syntax for exporting the global matrix to a new sheet. Like all string functions, Command() arguments can use concatenation, as in: Command(...; "sheet_" + varX + "_n_" + varY; ...) Note that "CellName" does not currently create a named cell, but rather will try to use the existing named cell. The "BookName" argument and subsequent arguments are optional. They can be all skipped, or empty quotes used to skip selected arguments. [Excel module] * Command() function -- Added Command("Excel";"Open";WorkbookFile) syntax for opening a spreadsheet. [Excel module] Changes in v2007, Beta 13 (1 Feb 2007) * Variable definitions -- New option in the Define Variable window to enter a narrative description of the variable definition (as opposed to a general comment or description of the variable). This definition narrative information can be included in the Variables Report. * Bug fix -- Problem in v2006 rel. 1.x with more than 10 windows being open. New Command("Excel";"ExportGlobalMatrix";...) function: fixed sheet overwriting options. Changes in v2007, Beta 14 (7 Feb 2007) * Bug fixes -- Excel module tries handling more Excel exceptions. Variables Definitions window edits inherited definitions. * Right-click menu -- Change Node Type options added. Changes in v2007, Beta 15 (9 Feb 2007) * Bug fixes -- Recent betas were returning 0 for StateProb() during a "parallel trial"-type microsimulation. Fixed. [Healthcare module] * GlobalN() function -- New function with similar functionality to Global(), but used to create multiple, separate matrices for different uses. The additional first parameter should be an integer (1 or higher), identifying which matrix to create/use. Matrices limited to a total of 10e8 cells (e.g., 4x5000x5000). * Global() function -- Changed to use a single matrix during multi-threading Monte Carlo simulations (as in all other analyses), rather than a separate matrix for each thread/processor. Size limited to 10e8 cells (e.g., 10000x10000). * Command() function -- Added Command("Excel";"ExportGlobalMatrixN";MatrixNum; WorkbookFile;SheetName;CellName;LabelText) syntax for exporting a numbered GlobalN matrix to a worksheet. Changes in v2007, Beta 16 (10 Feb 2007) * Bug fixes -- Global() functions not cleaning up matrix successfully. Fixed. * Excel export -- Allow larger matrix exports to Excel 2007. Changes in v2007, Beta 17 (23 Feb 2007) * Updated Functions Helper * More suppressable dialogs Changes in v2007, Beta 18 (27 Feb 2007) * Custom payoff names -- Allow longer names (25 characters). * COM library/scripting -- MonteOutput.GetEVPIReport includes flags for controlling output (see: http://server.treeage.com/ObjDocs/TP/MonteOutput/). TreeObj.SaveFile function works correctly (performs "Save As" command), and TreeObj.FileName property is working. Changes in v2007, Beta 19 (28 Feb 2007) * Command("Excel"...) -- Fix ExportGlobalMatrix to export all matrix rows and columns. Changes in v2007, Beta 20 (1 Mar 2007) * Com library/scripting -- Fix reading MonteParams.samples as 0 in recent betas. * EVPI report -- Fix error message in recent betas. ************************************************************************