# MAKLIB: help and advice

Consult the reference manual for further details and worked examples.
W.G.Bardsley, University of Manchester, U.K.

Analysing multiple data sets.

There are three ways to input multiple data sets into Simfit.

1. Sytematically copying from the clipboard or single files.
   If you ever do this you need help. This is definitely not the way to do it.
2. Using multiple selection of highlighted files with Alt and Ctrl keys.
   Much better. You must have at least investigated the project archive technique.
3. Using a library file.
   The best method. If you do it this way you obviously have arrived.

Multiple data sets and library files

Sometimes you need to supply several data files to SIMFIT, and it can be tedious to select files individually. Some examples would be as now listed.

1. Using SIMPLOT to plot many ASCII coordinate files on the same graph.
2. Using SIMSTAT for interactive ANOVA and other statistical tests requiring columns of data.
3. Using DEQSOL to fit a system of differential equations to data files for selected individual components.
4. Using QNFIT to supply starting estimates and limits in sets of parameter/limits files.
5. using QNFIT to fit multiple models with several components which require a data set for each component sub-model.

A library file is simply an ASCII text file with a title, followed by a list of file names, as in the test files:- anova1.tfl, npcorr.tfl, deqsol.tfl, simplot.tfl or qnfit.tfl. You can easily create such library files using any text editor, however this program uses the multiple file selection control so that only existing files with correct paths are referenced. This program can be used to create library files by selecting any existing files. Optionally, you can choose to restrict the files selected to either: vector files, matrix files, data files suitable for plotting coordinates, or encapsulated PostScript (*.eps) graphics files.

If you restrict the file types required to build the library, all files will be tested after you have made the selection, and invalid files will be de-selected, with warnings.

- Vector files are used to store samples for statistical analysis. They have 1 column, like normal.tf1.
- Matrix files are used to store contingency or ANOVA data. They have several columns, like chisqd.tf4 or anova2.tf1.
- Coordinate files are used for plotting. They have 2, 3, 4 or 6 columns, like errorbar.tf1, or errorbar.tf2.
- Curve fitting files have either 2 columns (x, y) or else 3 columns (x, y, s) like polnom.tf1.
  They can also be used for plotting in program SIMPLOT.
- Encapsulated Postscript files (*.ps or *.eps) must start with %! and have a valid BoundingBox, like simfig1.ps.
- Covariance matrix files store data after model fitting.
  They are used for retrospective model discrimination.
- SVG scalable vector files (Only *.svg files created by Simfit).

If invalid files are detected, the program returns to the file selection control so you can continue to rebuild the project. After the first library file has been made, files used for the project can be saved for re-use. That way you can build sets of library files, using related files with minor differences.