Evaluation Procedure

The Evaluation procedure offers extensive numerical evaluation. Use this option to find function evaluations, roots, derivatives and cumulative areas. This option's Generate feature enables the creation of any data table based upon the equation being evaluated.

Single Data Input

This aspect of the Evaluation requires individual data input from the keyboard. Enter a value in the X, Y, or X2 field and then click on the desired function operation. The result of the Y=F(X), X=Root(Y), Y=dF(X)/dY, Y=d2F(X)/dY2, Y=Area(Xmin,X) or Y=Area(X,X2) is placed in the Evaluation Table. This table is an AutoSignal Text View window that accumulates all manually or automatically generated data, up to 16384 total entries. The table lists the data element, the X value, the Y value, and the type of function operation that produced the data. When entering data manually, you may conclude an entry with Enter if you wish a Y=F(X) evaluation.

If there are multiple roots within the X range, these various roots will be added to the evaluation table. Note that the bracketing for the roots is limited to 100 partitions. Only a portion of the roots may be found.

Confidence or Prediction Limits

If you are evaluating a curve fit, you may also check the ConfLim or PredLim items. In these instances, the confidence or prediction limits will be computed for the fitted model at the X,Y listed and these will be included in two additional columns. The confidence level currently set in the Non-Linear Optimization Review is used.

Areas

The cumulative area computations use a Gaussian Quadrature procedure. The precision attained is shown in brackets. A minimum fractional error of 1E-8 is sought.

Saving the Evaluation Table Data

To save only the X and Y columns of the Evaluation table, use the Save XY button in the button panel. You may save the data to a 15 digit precision ASCII text file, or to a full binary precision Excel 95, Excel 97, Lotus WK1, Lotus WK3, SPSS SAV, or SYTAT SYS file. These files can be subsequently imported into AutoSignal's data table. To save a file containing the Evaluation table as it appears in the window (all columns of information), use the Save As item in the Evaluation window's File menu.

Copying the Evaluation Table Data to the Clipboard

To copy only the X and Y columns of the Evaluation table to the Windows clipboard, use the Copy XY button in the button panel. This copies the X-Y data as 15 digit precision space-delimited ASCII text (for text import) and as a full binary precision Lotus WK3 and WK1 (for spreadsheet import). To copy the Evaluation table as it appears in the window (all columns of information), use the Copy item in the Evaluation window's Edit menu.

Clearing the Evaluation Table

To clear the contents of the Evaluation table, use the Clear Table button in the button panel.

Generate Table

This is the option to use if you want to automatically create either the evaluation table or a file from the function being evaluated. You have the option of generating the input values by specifying the starting value, increment, and ending values, or you may read the input values as a column from any ASCII, Lotus, Excel, SigmaPlot, Quattro Pro, DIF, SPSS, Systat, or dBase file. The computed values can be Y=F(X), X=Root(Y), Y=dF(X)/dY, Y=d2F(X)/dY2, or Y=Area(Xmin,X). In the generated option, only the first detected root is reported. You may use this option to generate a file or to fill the evaluation table, up to a limit of 16384 entries.

Table Format

Use the Font Select item in the Style menu of the Evaluation Table window to change the text font. The Evaluation Table is internally formatted to work properly with proportional fonts. You may use the Color item enable or disable the color text display.

Printing the Evaluation Table

You may select a printer using the Printer Setup option in the Evaluation Table's File menu. To print the table, use the Print item. You can print only the currently displayed contents of the window or the entirety of the window. The Print Text dialog is used to customize the printing of the information.