About Parameters and File Parameters

You use parameters and file parameters to pass data from one component to another component in your simulation process flow. Parameters are named entities that can store a value. File parameters are parameters that contain or reference data in a file.

In the simplest case component execution typically proceeds in three phases:

  1. The set of input parameters is prepared from the default values in the model and is modified by any input parameter mappings.
  2. The component runs using the prepared parameters, modifying the output parameter values. If any input parameters have no default value, the user is prompted to enter a value.
  3. The output parameter values are stored in the run results and can be used for mapping to subsequent components.
Using file parameters adds several more steps to the execution process, as follows:
  1. The set of parameters is prepared.
  2. Input file parameters are copied into the working directory. Copying the files into the working directory allows the component to execute without having to handle the complexity of parallel execution.
  3. The component runs.
  4. Output file parameters are copied from the working directory.
  5. The output parameter values are stored.