"ficvar.var"

When using a data file for the first time, just build a simple file declaring the name of each variable, one line by variable.

Don't put the two variables: code and individu
Example (ficvar.var)
NOM
REGION
DEP
PREC
T
C
GDUFEM
CONI
NRG
P1000G
LOC1a1
LOC1a2
LOC1a5
LOC1a7
LOC3
LOC4

After clicking on the button “Variables”, a new window appears. On the screen, the name of the variables is given with 7 columns called : inactive, quali, quanti, active, target, weight, classes (ficvar).

Firstly, variables can be either inactive (inactive in Mstrat.tcl) or else (commented after). You have to declare as inactive any variable you've got in your file that is not interesting for building or validating the core. For example in ficdon.txt, the variables : NOM, REGION,DEP,T,C,NRG are inactive. For inactive variables, click on the first column (grey round) called “inactive”.

When the variables are not inactive they can be either qualitative ('qual' in Mstrat) or quantitative ('quant') . Qualitative data ('qual') are mainly markers with allelic code (1,..N), or any discrete variables (such as color…). The maximum number of classes is defined to 1000 in the C program. Quantitative data ('quant') are continuously varying data as usual morphologic traits. When they are quantitative you have to declare the number of classes (5 is value default) you want in the 'classes' box (last box). The interval between two adjacent classes is constant. It is given by the (maximum value - minimum value) / number of classes.

Weight ('weight') can be applied on active or target variables (in Numeric, real). By default, a weight of 1 is given for each variable.

Finally, you have to declare if you want variables to be active in the sampling of the core collection ('active' in the Mstrat.tcl window) or target ('target'). Active variables are those called Markers by Schoen and Brown. 'target' variable means that Mstrat will compute the score realized on these variables using active variables. This allows to validate the Mstrat approach.

After saving, the file (ficvar.txt) will record the following description when recalled by “variable” button. The output variable file have 2 lines more than the first variable file :

Following lines :

You can modify the file using a simple text editor; but, don't add blanks in the file.

example :
code 0
individu 0
NOM 1 0 0 1 5
REGION 1 0 0 1 5
DEP 1 0 0 1 5
PREC 2 1 0 1 5
T 1 0 0 1 5
C 1 0 0 1 5
GDUFEM 3 1 0 1 12
CONI 3 1 0 1 12
NRG 1 0 0 1 12
P1000G 3 1 0 1 12
LOC1a1 2 0 1 1 5
LOC1a2 2 0 1 1 5
LOC1a5 2 0 1 1 5
LOC1a7 2 0 1 1 5
LOC3 2 0 1 1 5
LOC4 2 0 1 1 5

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