New features in WinSolve version 4.0.0 ************************************************************************************** Developments ------------ 1. WinSolve now supports first-order perturbation approximation solutions to models. The non-linear model is automatically linearised or log-linearised and transformed into a generalised state-space form. Solution uses the generalised real Schur (qz) decomposition. Higher order model derivatives (found using automatic differentiation AD methods) can also be computed and higher order perturbation will be available soon. 2. New facilities have been added for linear-Quadratic control. Both time-inconsistent (reputational) control and Markov perfect time-consistent control are available. Linear decision rules are calculated and displayed. When the model is non-linear, an automatic linearisation (or log-linearisation) is performed. 3. The non-linear control facilities have been generalised to accept general loss functions (defined as equations within the model definition). 4. WinSolve will now read and write multi-sheet Excel spreadsheets containing up to 255 variables per sheet. Richard G. Pierse : November 26 2007 ************************************************************************************** New features in WinSolve version 3.60 Developments ------------ 1. New 120 day evaluation version 3.60 (Dec 2005) created fixing a few minor bugs. Richard G. Pierse : April 21 2006 ************************************************************************************** Developments ------------ 1. The linear solution options have been expanded to allow solution of a linearised model using the real generalised Schur (qz) decomposition. The decision matrices that characterise the solution are displayed. 2. Evaluation version is now valid for a fixed period from installation. Once it expires it cannot be reinstalled. Richard G. Pierse : July 30 2003 ************************************************************************************** New features in WinSolve version 3.50.6b Developments ------------ 1. A new function unif(x) generates uniform random numbers on the (0,x) interval 2. A new Gauss-Newton control algorithm has been introduced 3. Optimal control now allows a scalar time discount factor (default 1) Bug fixes --------- 1. A bug to do with missing file type lists in save dialogs introduced when the file path name length was increased has now been corrected. 2. The spectral radius routine in model linearisation now traps infinite eigenvalues Richard G. Pierse : October 29 2002 ************************************************************************************** New features in WinSolve version 3.50.6 Developments ------------ 1. The Sparse Stacked Newton solution algorithm has been made faster 2. The maximum length for file paths has been increased from 80 to 256 3. The model ordering algorithm has been modified to cope with equations where the current dependent variable appears on both left-hand and right-hand sides Richard G. Pierse : July 24 2002 ************************************************************************************** New features in WinSolve version 3.50.5 Developments ------------ 1. A new Printer Setup option has been added on the File menu. 2. New facility to save graphs in postscript (.ps) and Acrobat PDF (.pdf) formats. 3. Generalised Shur (QZ) algorithm added to compute generalised eigenvalues of linearised models, where the state-space representation is singular. Bug fixes --------- 1. An error in the derivatives of max() and min() functions has been fixed. Richard G. Pierse : April 30 2002 ************************************************************************************** New features in WinSolve version 3.50.1 Developments ------------ 1. A new feature on the Options menu allows the user to customise the WinSolve toolbar, adding and removing icons for any command. Bug fixes --------- 1. Attempting to write to a protected or full drive or directory will now generate an appropriate warning message. 2. A problem with attempting to graph with only one observation has been fixed. Richard G. Pierse : October 29 2001 ************************************************************************************** New features in WinSolve version 3.50 Developments ------------ 1. Stochastic simulation will now compute higher order moments (skew and kurtosis) of the distribution of replications. In addition it will optionally compute any number of simulation quantiles. These can be displayed as a "fan chart" diagram in the view menu (either standard median centred or mode centred (Bank of England) fan charts) 2. A new option in stochastic simulation allows the user to use shocks specified in a file. This allows shocks to be specified from an arbitrary (non-symmetric) distribution. 3. The log command language has been expanded to include commands to set up an optimal control game and run optimal control experiments so that control can now be done using log files. Bug fixes --------- 1. The algorithm for generating normal pseudo-random numbers has been changed to improve the properties of generated random numbers. The new algorithm is the same as that used by the Gauss package: A.J. Kinderman and J.G. Ramage, (1976), JASA, Vol 71, pp. 893-896. 2. A problem with RATS format data files has been fixed. 3. A bug in the May 2 release has been fixed (May 14) whereby stochastic shocks were not being generated in the generation modes involving SERs (Cholesky, bootstrap & McCarthy). 4. A problem arising in model recompilation after error correction has now been fixed. 5. The table and spreadsheet views have been expanded to allow more variables (up to 256). Richard G. Pierse : July 31 2001 ************************************************************************************** New features in WinSolve version 3.45(a) Developments ------------ 1. The stacked Newton algorithm now uses less storage and is consequently faster with medium to large size models. 2. A new sparse solution option is available which uses sparse matrix routines (ma28) to 'invert' the Jacobian in Newton and stacked Newton solution. This will be faster for sparse Jacobian matrices. The model info dialog calculates Jacobian sparsity. 3. When opening a mod file, if the source file cannot be found, selecting 'cancel' in the warning dialog box now opens the model without source file support. The model edit facility will be greyed and the model cannot be altered. If the model is saved in this state, then WinSolve assumes that model source will always be unavailable. 4. The file parameter in the view dialog box now allows variables displayed in graph/table to be saved to file in any of the WinSolve supported formats. Graphs are additionally saved in Windows metafile format (wmf) that can be imported into other packages. 5. New option in data menu lists all the data required for a full (simulation) data set. 6. Reintroduced support for the vertical line in graphs in edit dialogs to indicate the ragged edge in a forecast data set. If data is added or removed in editing, WinSolve will prompt user whether ragged edge is to be adjusted. This facility is also supported in log files as an optional 'setragged' parameter in DataEdit, DataProj and DataIAR commands. Bug fixes (October 23) --------- 1. Fixed bug in RunSave log command whereby wrong value of type was used 2. Fixed bug leading to a crash when creating a new non-simultaneous model 3. Fixed bug whereby if RE equations switched out and mod file saved, RE solution can then not be switched back on. Richard G. Pierse : October 23 2000 ************************************************************************************** New features in WinSolve version 3.41 Developments ------------ 1. Output dialog boxes now make use of selected file type to add appropriate suffix if one is not specified by the user 2. Input dialog boxes now won't accept a filename that doesn't exist 3. Support added for *W equations to specify working variables that are substituted out by the compiler Bug fixes --------- 1. DataReset log command now works in log files Richard G. Pierse : June 28 2000 ************************************************************************************** New features in WinSolve version 3.40 Developments ------------ 1. New option to override automatic equation reordering 2. New menu option to edit log files 3. Support for ^C key to copy to the clipboard 4. Automatic saving of changes to data when recompiling model Bug fixes --------- 1. Fix of bug in numerical processor bug affecting very first call to exp function. Richard G. Pierse : April 3 2000 ************************************************************************************** New features in WinSolve version 3.39 Developments ------------ 1. Introduction of time aggregration feature in optimal control whereby control variables may be updated only every k periods. Added features to control to allow solution to start from a previous solution point and to allow real-time graphing in control solution mode. Bug fixes --------- 1. Fix of bug in eigenvalue computation routine causing failure for particular models with few equations but many lags. Richard G. Pierse : December 15 1999 ************************************************************************************** New features in WinSolve version 3.38 A) Automatic equation reordering -------------------------------- 1. WinSolve now automatically sorts the equations of your model into 5 blocks, separating out the simultaneous core of the model from the pre- and post-recursive blocks and the blocks of pure input and output variables. This has 2 effects: i) it reduces the size of the model that needs to be solved simultaneously which should reduce model solution time ii) since the recursive reordering algorithm is expensive model compilation will be increased. Note that reordering will also be performed when the user switches between alternative equations. B) Stochastic Simulation ------------------------ 1. The 'diagonal' option for shock generation in stochastic simulation has been replaced by a more general 'user' option that allows a general variance covariance matrix to be specified. WinSolve users with log files using the DiagVar command will need to update these to use the new UserVar command with format: UserVar rvar1 cvar1 val1 .. rvark cvark valk See the diycom.hlp file for details. C) Bug fixes ------------ 1. Fix of minor bug in stochastic simulation involving unanticipated shocks. D) Bug fixes in Version 3.38.1 (3/10/99) ---------------------------------------- 1. Fix of bug introduced in 3.38 causing a crash when linearising models. 2. Fix of problem with file paths including spaces. 3. Fix of implicit residuals bug. E) Changes in Version 3.38.2 (20/10/99) --------------------------------------- 1. Equation reordering algorithm dramatically speeded-up by a factor > 50. F) Changes in Version 3.38.3 (24/10/99) --------------------------------------- 1. Fix of minor bug introduced in 3.38.2 causing failure of fast reordering algorithm in some models. 2. Support for EViews WF1 file format introduced. Richard G. Pierse : October 24 1999