Gekko Timeseries Software -- Development versions

Gekko

Development versions

Development versions

On this page, you will find development versions, i.e. versions with an uneven number after the first period (e.g. 2.1.x) -- alternatively take a look at the stable versions. You should note that these development versions are experimental in the sense that they have not been tested nearly as much as the stable versions. So please use these versions with caution. (ADAM users: please note that these versions are not officially endorsed by the developers of the ADAM model).

In order to install, first close Gekko. Then uninstall your existing Gekko version (Control panel --> Programs and features --> Uninstall a program). Finally, download and run the installer file (InstallerForGekko.msi). Problems: see the problem-shooting guide.

During installation, you can safely ignore this warning if it appears:

Warning pop-up

Download the official Gekko 2.0 here

Version 1.21.20 (Gekko 2.0 Gamma 10) -- 10/2 2016
This is a tenth gamma version!
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
New command COUNT (similar to INDEX). Flowchart (recursive) visualization of DECOMP effects is now possible, try opening DECOMP and choose a 'Decomp' option (after this, you can right-click a time period). This module is experimental. In addition some buts have been fixed. The official 2.0 version is approaching.

Version 1.21.19 (Gekko 2.0 Gamma 9) -- 8/2 2016
This is a ninth gamma version!
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
Mostly minor bugfixes and some user interface changes.

Version 1.21.18 (Gekko 2.0 Gamma 8) -- 5/2 2016
This is a eight gamma version!
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
Change of extension names. So 'gek' is now 'gcm' (command files), 'tsdx' is now 'gbk' (databank files), and 'tab' is now 'gtb' (table defintion files). Modes (MODE command) have gotten individual colors in the input section on the main interface: green for sim, blue for data, and yellow for mixed. Gekko starts out green, since sim-mode is default.

Version 1.21.17 (Gekko 2.0 Gamma 7) -- 3/2 2016
This is a seventh gamma version!
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
New ACCEPT and ANALYZE commands. Preliminary version of printcode-clicking on tables. In addition some bugfixes.

Version 1.21.16 (Gekko 2.0 Gamma 6) -- 28/1 2016
This is a sixth gamma version!
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
Mostly TRANSLATE improvements regarding the AREMOS translator, cf. the change-log. In addition, some smaller bugfixes related to menus and tables.

Version 1.21.15 (Gekko 2.0 Gamma 5) -- 25/1 2016
This is a fifth gamma version!
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
Mostly TRANSLATE improvements, cf. the change-log. For timeseries, there is a new iif() function for intra-period conditions.

Version 1.21.14 (Gekko 2.0 Gamma 4) -- 22/1 2016
This is a fourth gamma version!
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
This is primarly a bug-fix version related to quarters and months. Still, there is a new PRT<collapse> option for quarters and months, cf. the change-log.

Version 1.21.13 (Gekko 2.0 Gamma 3) -- 18/1 2016
This is a third gamma version!
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
Primarily, the databank logic has been altered somewhat, so that the 'other' databank (other than the primary Work databank) is now called the 'reference' databank rather than the 'secondary' databank. So for instance, please use READ<ref> instead of READ<sec>. Else, importing cell-wise from Excel can now be done with SHEET<import>, and you can export to gnuplot with EXPORT<gnuplot>. Apart from that, some bugs have been fixed. See the change-log.

Version 1.21.12 (Gekko 2.0 Gamma 2) -- 11/1 2016
This is a second gamma version!
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
A lot of improvements to make the 2.0 version more smooth around the edges. See the change-log!

Version 1.21.11 (Gekko 2.0 Gamma 1) -- 14/12 2015
This is a first gamma version!
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
New modules: R-interface (R_RUN), seasonal adjustment (X12A), and automatic translators from Gekko 1.8 or AREMOS to Gekko 2.0 syntax. A gamma version is a so-called release candidate, cf. the change-log.

Version 1.21.10 (Gekko 2.0 Beta 8) -- 20/11 2015
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
VERY close to an official Gekko 2.0. This version introduces IMPORT/EXPORT, and READ ... TO, in addition to some logic changes regarding ENDO/EXO and UNFIX (you must use SIM<fix> to attain goals). See details in the change-log! The help files have been updated.

Version 1.21.9 (Gekko 2.0 Beta 7) -- 4/11 2015
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
Primarily a bugfix version: quite a lot of issues etc. have been fixed, cf. the change-log. The official Gekko 2.0 is approaching. The last major issues are now how to deal with the READ and OPEN commands, and wheather or not they can be merged. Another issue is READ versus IMPORT, and WRITE versus EXPORT. When these syntactical questions have been sorted out, an official Gekko 2.0 is close.

Version 1.21.8 (Gekko 2.0 Beta 6) -- 20/10 2015
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
New and more robust algorithm regarding forward-looking models (that is, models with endogenous variables that contain leads). The algorithm is called Newton-Fair-Taylor, or 'nfair', and has the same solving capabilities as a so-called stacked time solver. The new solver can be switched on by means of "OPTION solve forward method nfair;". Please consult the changelog for more info -- the solver is still being refined and is not yet documented in the help files.

Version 1.21.7 (Gekko 2.0 Beta 5) -- 27/8 2015
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
Matrix functionality implemented, including construction, addition, multiplication, inversion, etc. etc. Please consult the changelog regarding the capabilities, and also take a look in the help system regarding the MATRIX command (and the Gekko functions page, under 'Matrix functions').

Version 1.21.6 (Gekko 2.0 Beta 4) -- 8/7 2015
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
The version implements GOTO and LABEL, cf. the help files. Some minor bugs related to .tsd files and non-annual data were fixed.

Version 1.21.5 (Gekko 2.0 Beta 3) -- 1/7 2015
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
This version implements READ<prn> and WRITE<prn>. Additionally, it offers a LIST<direct> definition, if you have a long list containing integers, or name parts starting with a number. LIST<direct> does not try to interpret the items, but 'swallows' them up raw.

Version 1.21.4 (Gekko 2.0 Beta 2) -- 27/5 2015
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
This is a beta version with some changes corresponding to the newest syntax blueprint (see the help files, under "Gekko 2.0 syntax blueprint"). Regarding the use of this version, please see the comments regarding version 1.21.3 below.

Version 1.21.3 (Gekko 2.0 Beta 1) -- 4/12 2014
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
Gekko 2.0 is now stable enough to release as a beta version (the first one in an expected line of beta versions). So you may use this version for testing etc., but please do not use it for anything serious yet. For simulation purposes, it is perhaps better to still stick to the 1.8 version, and regarding data revision programs (command files), it is probably best to use 2.0 beta 1 for new programs that you write from scratch. Regarding existing data revision programs, for instance from AREMOS, a semi-automatic translator is planned. The changes in Gekko 2.0 beta 1 relative to Gekko 1.8 are substantial, since most of the parsing code has been rewritten. So in that sense, Gekko 2.0 beta 1 can be regarded as a patient still recovering from heavy surgery. This is another way of saying that bugs are to be expected.
There are many bugfixes and improvements, see the above-mentioned change-log regarding the changes. Most significant relative to version 1.21.2 are probably databank handling à la AREMOS with OPEN<prim>, optional databank searching etc. Note that isstart.cmd does not work anymore (use gekko.ini), and that command files are now expected with extension .gek (and not .cmd). Note also that CLEAR is now RESTART, and CLEAR<all> is now RESET.

Version 1.21.2 (Gekko 2.0 Alpha) -- 22/9 2014
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
This is the first officially released version in the 2.0 series. The present version is an alpha version, that is, even more unstable than a beta version. The idea is to offer this release for download and inspection, while work is in progress regarding an official Gekko 2.0 beta version. After the beta version has been tested for a while, the stable Gekko 2.0 will be released.
This version has a lot of new capabilities, but there are still quite a few areas where old commands simply do not yet work (and may fail without any meaningful error messages). The reason is that the parser/translator has been rewritten, and some of the old commands still need to be rewired to the new Gekko 'engine'. So you may use this version for testing etc., but please do not use it for anything serious yet.
Regarding new features etc., please see the updated help files here, under 'Introduction' --> 'New features'. There is also a section on syntax changes ('Gekko syntax basics'). The help file is also available from within Gekko (F1 button). Right now old command files regarding Gekko 1.8 will need some changes to run in this version. An automatic converter of old command files is in progress!

Version 1.7.5 -- 22/10 2013
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
This version leads up to the 1.8 release. It contains a number of smaller fixes (see the change-log). Notable changes is the possibility to read .prn files (CONVERTPRN), and use listfiles for lists: "LIST mylist = #(listfile myfile)". You may now set the zoom level for the main Gekko window (OPTION interface zoom).

Version 1.7.4 -- 9/10 2013
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
You may use "PPLOT<a> fY" to plot the variable fY from both the Work and Base databanks (in the same graph). Codes <ap> and <ad> are also possible. The 'a' could be read as 'all banks' (or more precisely Work and Base), and line points may be omitted by means of: OPTION graph lines points = no. In addition, some finetuning of column widths in html tables has been implemented, cf. the change-log.

Version 1.7.3 -- 3/9 2013
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
Only minor changes in this version. Some improvements in tables (you can put vertical borders between particular periods), and PPLOT can now export the graph in .png or .svg format (besides .emf format).

Version 1.7.2 -- 11/4 2013
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
This version implements direct reading from Excel (before only csv files could be read), and a new type of frequency.

Version 1.7.1 -- 2/4 2013
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
Addition of a HP-filter function. You may use "GENR <2000 2010> xxgdp_hp = hpfilter(gdp, 6.25)", where the last argument is the lambda parameter (recommended values for lambda are 6.25 for annual series, 1600 for quarterly series, and 129600 for monthly series). You may include an additional argument (0 or 1), indicating whether the internal calculation should be performed on log-transformed input (and exp-transformed as output). This option makes sense for instance on a growth variable like GDP, but is problematic on variables that may become close to 0 or negative. So the safer non-transformed calculation is used as default.

Version 1.5.12 -- 5/2 2013
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
The help files have been updated and redesigned. In addition, a number of smaller bugfixes.

Version 1.5.11 -- 21/1 2013
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
Bug: There is a bug in this version (when you type '<' for instance). Please set "OPTION interface suggestions = none" (the bug will be corrected in the next version).
A large number of changes in anticipation of a forthcoming stable version 1.6. After this version, it is the hope that mostly minor changes will be necessary until 1.6. So this version is good for stability testing of the future version 1.6. See the changelog for details about the changes, but highlights are the following:

Version 1.5.10 -- 19/12 2012
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
Quite a large number of changes, all pointing towards a version 1.6. New run status window, to keep track of larger jobs. TIMEFILTER command is changed to allow for easier syntax, and it also has an 'avg' option that integrates with the PRT command yielding in effect a better VPRT command (VPRT will be phased out). TELL command (replacing DISPLAY), and PIPE can pipe to html files too (practical when exporting tables in html). Model blocks are supported, at the moment this info is shown when using DISP, or performing residual check (where the residuals can be split into model blocks too). UPDX and UPD have merged (UPDX will be phased out).

Version 1.5.9 -- 22/11 2012
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
This version merges the PRTX and PRT commands, and adds easy-to-remember display codes like 'lev', 'abs', 'dif', 'pch' and 'gdif'. Together with global options to control these 'longer' display codes, this makes it possible to control the default output of PRT and MULPRT to a large extent. PRTX is removed, as is also PCTPRT and MULPCT (please use PRT<pch> and MULPRT<pch> instead). In addition to this, multiple display codes inside the same <>-field are now allowed.

Version 1.5.8 -- 13/11 2012
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
Beware that the changes in this version are pretty profound, so please use the version with some care. First and foremost, version 1.5.8 introduces faster loading of models and databanks. In addition, model signatures are introduced.

After being loaded with the MODEL command, the parsed model is now kept as a cache file on the users hard disk, so that it can be loaded much faster next time. The cache files operate behind the scenes, and imply that a known model loads 8 times faster than before. (Note that the first time a model is loaded with the MODEL command there is no speedup).
Databank files in .tsdx format (READ<tsdx> and WRITE<tsdx>) are now using a binary format that loads 3 times faster than older .tsdx files. Gekko still reads the older .tsdx files (version 1.0), but will write .tsdx files in the newer binary format (version 1.1). This means that Gekko versions prior to 1.5.8 cannot read a .tsdx databank written by 1.5.8 (unless "OPTION databank file tsdx version = 1.0" is set before writing from Gekko 1.5.8). The old and new .tsdx format contains exactly the same information, and is still double-precision (15 significant digits).
The above speed improvements imply faster Gekko startup (if Gekko is started up with an isstart.cmd file loading a model and databank), and faster CLOSEALL command.
Model signatures are introduced, together with the SIGN command. You may use the SIGN command to get a signature for your model, and insert this signature into the .frm file. Signatures skip blank lines and comments, and keep track of whether a model has been changed relative to an official/original version.

Version 1.5.7 -- 2/10 2012
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
BUG: Beware that this version has problems printing and plotting variables with quarterly or monthly frequency. This is fixed in version 1.5.8.
There are quite a lot of changes, please consult the change-log for more details.

Forward-looking models can be solved.
Tables can be printed in HTML format (TABLE<html>).
TIMEFILTER command to make printing and tables more readable.
OPEN command and F2 window for swapping databanks. Any number of databanks can be opened, and timeseries can be referenced in an open databank by means of 'databank:timeseries' (that is, with colon). Databanks can be opened with alias name (AS), and there is also a CLOSE command.
COLLAPSE command for converting higher-frequency (for instance monthly) to lower-frequency (for instance quarterly).
UDVALG window has frozen (non-scrolling) headers regarding variable names and time periods. Also, variables are now clickable/browsable.
New help system, using chm format. Much easier to search etc., and the content is updated.
F2 window (open databanks) looks like this:

Version 1.5.6 -- 15/8 2012
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
Very minor changes: fixed at bug that meant that an expression like "@variable(-1)" could not be parsed.

Version 1.5.5 -- 23/7 2012
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
Very minor changes:

Introduced command TRIMVARS. This command removes all non-model variables from the Work and Base databanks. The command is handy if the databank contains a lot of superflous or irrelevant variables that are not part of the model.
Opening up the possibility of running tables written in C#. This will not be supported in the long run, but until then, the old C# tables can be called with TABLEOLD instead of TABLE (please use TABLE if possible).

Version 1.5.4 -- 4/7 2012
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
Change-log (detailed list of changes)
First and foremost, this version performs simulations much faster (both Gauss and Newton algorithm). But there are also quite a lot of other changes. Some of the more important changes are listed below (for a more detailed list of changes, please consult the change-log: see the link abolve).

Sadly, the help files have still not been updated. This has to do with the fact that they are in the process of being translated from the old .rtf format to a more modern XML/HTML implemention. (Which will also mean that a more standard searchable help system will appear soon).

Faster simulation, both for Gauss and Newton algorithm (and individual years/periods are no longer shown as default while simulating).

Improved error-reporting. When Gekko crashes, you may click a link for more information. And when Newton simulations crashes, Gekko may pack an error report with model, databank etc. When simulation crashes, you can now click a link to return to pre-simulation values.

DISP can search in labels: try DISP 'import'.

Target icon is shown (next to red/yellow/green traffic lights), if EXO/ENDO goals are active. You can also have Gekko automatically switch back to Gauss after EXO/ENDO simulation (OPTION solve gauss goal switchback).

Command GAUSS sets solving algorithm to Gauss (and clears any EXO/ENDO goals)

Command CLEARGOALS clears any EXO/ENDO goals.

You can use "OPTION folder pipe" to direct PIPE output to specific folder.

Version 1.5.3 -- 2/5 2012
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
This version contains a number of things, but sadly the help files still lag behind. This will be corrected soon, as an official version 1.6 is planned later this month. So due to the non-updated help files, version 1.5.3 is mostly for users actively involved in the development of Gekko. Changes:

There is now a 'Menu' tab, where html menus can be browsed. These file and folder regarding these html menus can be set by means of for instance "OPTION folder table = \menu" and "OPTION table startfile = menu.html".

READ/MULBK/WRITE now work with <tsd> or <tsdx> option.

DISP only shows 5 lines of data as default (see "OPTION print disp maxlines"). This makes it easier to use DISP as an equation browser.

There is a PRTX command, capable of for instance row-wise print ("PRTX <rows>"), and element-specific printcodes: ("PRT fy fy"). It can also set decimals etc. -- more on that in the documentation for version 1.6.

PCIM converters: there are now two converters: a converter for tables, and a converter for menu files. See 'Utilities' --> 'Converters' --> 'PCIM converters'.

There is also a table-filler, see 'Utilities' --> 'Converters' --> 'Convert tables to text'. This utility converts a system of menu and table files to a corresponding system of files suitable for the intra- or internet. Essentially, the system just fills the tables with data, given a databank and time period.

Version 1.5.2 -- 13/4 2012
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
This version implements a converter that converts tables (*.tab files) in PCIM format to tables in the new XML format (unfortunately, the help file regarding the Gekko TABLE command is still missing: version 1.5.3 will come with an extensive help file exlaining tables in Gekko). The converter is not perfect, but converts most simple PCIM tables. See the menu 'Utilities' --> 'Converters' --> 'Convert PCIM tables...'.

Version 1.5.1 -- 3/4 2012
Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)
Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)
Zip-file (for manual installation -- experts only!)
There are quite a lot of changes relative to version 1.4. A brief list of changes is the following:

Reads even older PCIM banks.

Tables can now be done either by means of XML table definitions, or by means of more matrix-like code.

Working folder can be set like this: "OPTION folder working = c:\adam\2010".

Gekko.exe can be called with parameters setting working folder and whether the ini file (isstart.cmd) should be loaded. For instance: "gekko.exe -folder:c:\adam\2010 -noini".

CPLOT command. Works like WPLOT, but just copies the data into the clipboard, for pasting by means of Ctrl-V.

PPLOT willl accept title and heading: "PPLOT var1 var2 title='Scenario1' heading='Trade'". The title will show up as the Windows window name.

WPLOT also accepts heading, and a stamp may be set: "WPLOT var1 var2 heading='Trade' stamp=yes".

Gekko now reads and writes ANSI text files, so issues with æøå etc. should be eliminated.

Version 1.3.18 -- 18/10 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

Some minor fixes. (a): Loops over predefined lists are now working in command files ("FOR i=#mylist; PRT #i; END;"). (b) When frequency mode is quarterly or annual, integers are accepted as time period (in that case, all quarters/months in the given years get covered). (c): PPLOT can write silently to a file, e.g. "PPLOT fY fX file=graph1" (the resulting file will be graph1.emf). (d): If 'option folder' is 'yes', and 'option folder bank' is given some value, the WRITE command will write the databank file to that particular folder (and try to read databanks from that folder also, by the way).

Version 1.3.17 -- 10/10 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

New memory variable introduced: VAL. Syntax is "VAL factor = 2.5; VAL factor2 = 2*#factor". VAL-variables can be used in GENR, PRT/PPLOT etc., and UPD. Regarding UPD, a new UPD-variant has been created. This variant accepts expressions and VAL-variables as arguments, but it's elements must be delimited by commas. Example: "UPDX tg * 1.0, #factor, #factor2, #factor2/#factor;". In the example, the time period spans 4 periods. VAL-variables may also be used like this: "GENR tg = tg * #factor", or "PRT #factor #factor*tg".

Version 1.3.16 -- 6/10 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

The version fixes a bug related to FOR loops. Successive FOR loops failed (whereas nested FOR loops were ok).

Version 1.3.15 -- 30/9 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

The version has an augmented residual check capability: when choosing "Utilities" --> "Check residuals...", you may now choose "Show dlog residuals". If so, an extra column is added to the output, corresponding to the (log-)residuals in a log-linear equation. This output is often easier to compare against output from estimation software (if the equation is log-linear).

Version 1.3.14 -- 27/9 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

This version introduces a real decomposition window, see screenshot below (so-called UDVALG, will be renamed at one point...). You may open the window by means of "UDVALG fY" for example, where fY is the variable. There are quite a few combinations to choose from, but the main point is that you choose between time-decomposition (from period to period) and multiplier-decomposition (from baseline to work databank). Data are provided in an Excel-like sheet, where you can copy-paste cells to Excel or others. This version also introduces new print-codes (data transformations). The biggest change is that "m" now means absolute multiplier, and "q" means relative multiplier (in %). Before, these were called "md" and "mp", respectively. So in this version, "mp" means multiplier differences in growth rates between baseline and work banks (in previous versions it meant relative multiplier). The documentation lags behind at the moment, but will soon be updated. The Excel-like sheet in UDVALG will at some point also be used for the TABLE command. Underneath the sheet is a table-object which will later on be used for many purposes...

Version 1.3.13 -- 1/9 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

New command: FINDMISSINGDATA. This command finds variables with missing values in the work databank. If a model is loaded, the output is split into different lists (endogenous, exogenous etc.). You may indicate a time period (otherwise it uses the global time setting), and you may also indicate the list of variables that are to be checked. For instance: "FINDMISSINGDATA <2008 2010>" looks for all variables with missing values in the period 2008-2010. You may restrict it like this: FINDMISSINGDATA <2008 2010> #vars", where the list #vars contains the relevant variables you want to check. Gekko outputs a number of lists: for instance the list #missingdata contains all variables with missing data in the work databank, whereas the lists #missingdata_all, #missingdata_endo etc. are subsets of that list, and correspond to the Gekko-defined lists #all, #endo etc. (i.e., all model variables, all endogenous model variables, etc.).

Version 1.3.12 -- 12/8 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

A very small bugfix: it was not possible to use the variable name PCH (with capital letters) -- this is fixed.

Version 1.3.11 -- 10/8 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

Some bugfixes: in 1.3.10 the UDVALG command was broken.

Version 1.3.10 -- 9/8 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

The version introduces wildcard lists. Wildcard lists are always inside brackets [], but otherwise they behave just like ordinary lists (#listname). So anywhere you can put a list, you can alternatively put a wildcard-list. Inside the brackets, you may use '*' for arbitrary character match (0 or more matches), or '?' for a single character match. So for instance, [fX*] matches all variables beginning with "fX" (including "fX" without any characters following), whereas [fX?] matches variables starting with "fX" followed by a single character. Wildcard lists tries to match variables in the Work databank. Examples:

LIST [fX?]. Shows the variables matching the pattern on the screen. This is equivalent to the INDEX command in AREMOS (without listname given).

LIST list2 = [fX?]. Puts the matching variables into list #list2. This is equivalent to the INDEX command in AREMOS (with listname given). You may enter several arguments: "LIST list3 = [fX?] [fY*] Enl [Q*n?]". (Using '=' syntax with lists will slowly replace the old "LIST +" syntax).

PRT [fY*2] fY*2. Prints all variables matching the pattern 'fY*2', followed by printing the mathematical expression fY*2.

WRITE [fX??] file=fxfile. Writes all variables starting with "fX" followed by two characters to the file fxfile.tsd. (Actually "WRITE [*] file=databank" is identical to "WRITE databank").

DELETE [J*]. Deletes all variables beginning with 'J' from the Work databank.

UPD <2010 2010> [J*] = 0. Sets all variables beginning with 'J' to 0, for the given period.

Version 1.3.9 -- 8/8 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

This version is almost identical to 1.3.8 -- only change is the ability to do write in TSP format ("WRITE <tsp>"). If no period is given, all periods are writtten for each series. You may write a subset of variables like this: WRITE <tsp> fY Enl tg file=tspfile.

Version 1.3.8 -- 3/8 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

UDVALG (decomposition) has been augmented, so that it also supports time decomposition and printing of non-decomposed values. Codes for UDVALG are in this stype: <d>, <md>, <xd>, <xmd> meaning time differences (decomposed), multiplier differences (decomposed), time differences (non-decomposed), and multiplier differences (non-decomposed). Use <xn> for raw levels. In addition, the STAMP and VERS commands have been implemented.

Version 1.3.7 -- 2/8 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

Some smaller fixes: table files can now do absolute differences, any missing model variables are auto-created with READ or MULBK statement, #-variables work in DISPLAY and HDG commands, PIPE <append> implemented.

Version 1.3.6 -- 15/7 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

More work on tables, and some work on UDVALG. PUDVALG is now possible (prints it in plain text), and option can be used to get multiplier contributions in percentages (adding up to 100).

Version 1.3.5 -- 15/7 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

More work on tables etc. Also in this version you may use simple additions in the option field: PRT <#per1+2 #per2-1> fY", where #per1 and #per2 are defined by the DATE command. Note: only '+' and '-' works, and only one of these. It should be the time period first, and then '+' or '-' some integer. These additions do not work outside the option field. Parentheses may be used if desired for readability: "PRT <(#per1+2) (#per2-1)> fY".

Version 1.3.4 -- 14/7 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

The version contains more work on tables.

Version 1.3.3 -- 14/7 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

This version is mostly some bugfixes, and some more work on tables.

Version 1.3.2 -- 13/7 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

BEWARE!: This version implements some changes in the way READ works, if several READ statements are used successively.

In this version, READ does not merge per default. So if you read bank1, and afterwards read bank2, only variables from bank2 will exist in the Work databank. However, you can merge by means of "READ <merge> bank2" (or regarding the Base databank: "MULBK <merge> bank2"). Note that the READ command always puts the resulting Work databank (possibly merged) into the Base databank (which is cleared first). So after any READ statement (with or without merging), the Work and Base databanks are always identical.

There is a possibility to clear the content of databanks without using CLOSEALL. Please use "CLEAR work" or "CLEAR base", respectively.

A first version of an INDEX command is working, for example "INDEX 'fX*' mylist". This will put any variables from the Work databank matching the pattern into the list #mylist (the command can be used without giving a listname). Please note the quotes (') around the pattern -- at the moment these are mandatory, but later on this will be fixed. You can use any number of '*' and '?' as wildcard characters.

Version 1.3.1 -- 12/7 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

The version implements a new databank format: tsdx files. These are really just zipped tsd files, with a xml file containg metadata (heading etc.). When using tsdx files, the precision is augmented from 9 to 15 significant digits. Even though there are more digits, the tsdx files are typically smaller than the usual tsd files due to zipping. Please use "option databank file format tsdx" to activate the use of tsdx files (and to revert to tsd files: "option databank file format tsd"). The HDG command is implemented, and the databank heading will be used in any following WRITE commands (but can only be saved into the file if it is a tsdx file).

Version 1.0.53 -- 7/6 2011

Version has been patched a few times: last patch on 9/6 13:30. If you upgraded to 1.0.53 before this time, please consider uninstalling Gekko, and install 1.0.53 again.

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

A lot of small and medium size changes. Next is prettifying DISP command, looking at error messages etc. Some of the changes may affect existing programs, especially the first four changes!

"OPTION solve data init" has been changed, so that it now follows PCIM terminology (yes/no has been reversed).

ENDO and EXO are now non-cumulative. So the only use for ENDO or EXO without an argument (for clearing) is when the user wishes to revert to normal simulation after doing goals/means. "ENDO ?" or "ENDO ?" can be used to see whichs goals/means are set.

All options are cleared with CLOSEALL command. But CLOSEALL now also re-reads any isstart.cmd file, so options can be kept there and will resurrect from that file (isstart.cmd works a bit like AREMOS' aremos.opt). CLOSEALL is intended to be equivalent to closing and restarting Gekko, so it seems fair enough to clear the options too. At some point isstart.cmd will probably be renamed into gekko.opt, but not right now. Please do not put a CLOSEALL statement inside the isstart.cmd file -- this will trap Gekko in an infinite loop!

When reading a tsd file with the READ command, Gekko now always reads the file into both work and baseline databank. Note that MULBK [filename] only reads the file into the baseline databank. Gekko still merges files, so you can read bank1, followed by reading bank2, and the result will be a merged databank (with bank2 overwriting any observations existing in both banks).

DEFDIR is implemented, see "OPTION folder ...".

MULBK *, STOP and SKIP are working.

SYS is working like AREMOS: for example: SYS 'copy file1.tsd file2.tsd'

Work on better line breaking, width is set in "OPTION print width"

FOR loops with lists work in command files. For instance: "FOR i = nm nk; PRT fX#i; END;". Perhaps it will later on be necessary to enforce a type indication ("FOR string i = ..."), but maybe it can be avoided.

Alternative list syntax: "LIST xx = nm nk". The old one still works of course: "LIST + #xx nm nk". At some point commas between items will probably be enforced, but not right now...

Version 1.0.52 -- 30/5 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

Some work on quarterly and monthly data. Gekko now seems to both read and write tsd files with quarterly or monthly data ok (and interchange with AREMOS). In addition, PPLOT now works for quarters and months. Labels at the bottom are year and month, and for quarters the following months are used: 1, 4, 7 and 10 (for q1, q2, q3 and q4). This has to do with the way gnuplot handles dates -- quarters are not implemented. So the x-axis is not optimal at the moment, but at least graphs are possible.

Version 1.0.51 -- 29/5 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

Bug: There was a problem with nested time functions, eg. "y = dif(dlog(x))". This is now fixed, so that any level of nesting is allowed. Reading a bank with quarterly timeseries also had a bug when frequence was not set to annual -- also fixed. The DISP command now prints unfolded equations with DJZ-type variables etc. (this output will be prettified soon). You can now use Ctrl+M/O/H as shortcuts to the three tabs in the user interface. Last but not least, reading of tsd files has been changed. When reading, Gekko now first copies the .tsd file into a local folder on the user's hard disk, hopefully improving reading tsd files from at network drive (whether this 'caching' is done can be set by means of "option databank file copylocal yes/no" -- default is yes).

Version 1.0.50 -- 24/5 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

Bugfix: MULBK without an argument had ceased working -- this is fixed. MULBK (without an argument/bankname) works in the following way: (1) It clears the baseline databank, and (2) it copies all variables from work to baseline databank. Result: the two databanks are identical. This is all done in RAM, so no need to write and read a .tsd file. Example: "TIME 2010 2020; SIM; MULBK; UPD tg = 0.26; SIM; MULPRT fY;" So the MULBK statement should be placed right after the baseline simulation (the first SIM).

Version 1.0.49 -- 23/5 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

DIFPRT and NDIFPRT working now. These accept dates, lists of variables, and can print to file (e.g. "DIFPRT <2000 2010> #endo file=dif.txt"). Limits: option databank compare tabs/trel. Also implemented line-breaking in PRT, DIFPRT, NDIFPRT, so that multiple variables can be printed nicely. Width: option print width/filewidth.

Version 1.0.48 -- 19/5 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

This version fixes a small bug: a command like "PRT fY(2010)" had ceased to work. Also some work on error commands.

Version 1.0.47 -- 13/5 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

This version mostly fixes some bugs regarding the EFTER command. The EFTER command runs equations after an 'AFTER$' statement in the model file (i.e., typically table variables), and in addition runs all reverted J-factors and Z-variables. It is tested that the EFTER command yields the same results as PCIM now. The same does not hold regarding the RES command. For some reason, in PCIM some J-variables are changed when executing RES. This is not the case in Gekko: in Gekko the RES command only changes endogenous variables (i.e. left-hand side variables in FRML statements).

Version 1.0.46 -- 1/5 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

Because of a bug, this version has been patched regarding the RES command.

This version should be reasonably stable, but for serious purposes maybe stick to version 1.0.44 for a little while longer. Assign-variables (memory-variables such as strings, dates etc.) have been implemented. At the moment only as a first step, but work will proceed in that direction. As of now, you may define a string like this: "STRING file='scenario4'" (note the quotes around the string). This may later be referenced by means of either '#file' or '{#file}' (or even just {file}). So you may write "READ #file" or "READ {#file}". When not using the brackets, you may sometimes have to use the "glue" symbol, for instance "PRT fX|#i|n|#j". If defined by "STRING i = 'm'" and STRING j='qq'", this translates into "PRT fXmnqq". Without the glue, Gekko would have looked for assign-variable '#in'. Note that "PRT fX|#i|n|#j" can be written shorter as "PRT fX#i|n#j". This follows AREMOS conventions, but may not be too easy to read. An alternative, which is often easier to read, is using brackets: "PRT fX{#i}n{#j}". Here it is easy to see where the variable and fixed parts are. It may even be abbreviated into : "PRT fX{i}n{j}", omitting the hash signs (#). In addition to the STRING command, there is also a DATE command. For example "DATE per1=2010" and "DATE per2=2020". These can be used like this: "TIME #per1 #per2", or "PRT<#per1 #per2> fY". Regarding the PRT example, you cannot use assign-dates outside the option brackets . Hence, "PRT #per1 #per2 fY" will result in an error. The reason this is not allowed is because it confuses the syntax too much. Consider "PRT #x1 #x2 #x3". What does it mean? Is it two dates #x1 and #x2, and one variable #x3? Is it three lists or three assign-variables or a mixture? To avoid hard-to read code like that it is mandatory to put assign-dates into the option brackets. (However, using the option brackets for setting time is already best practice, since changing global time in a non-TIME statement can result in hard-to-read programs).

Version 1.0.44 -- 20/4 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

Because of a bug, this version has been patched regarding the RES command (for the original installer file, see here).

Work on (A) VPRT, (B) file sharing/blocking, (C) tsd write. (A): VPRT can be used together with the new command TIMESPAN. For instance: "TIMESPAN 2011 2015, 2016 2020, 2021 2025; VPRT fY". The timespan can also be put into the option field: "VPRT <2011 2015, 2016 2020, 2021 2025> fY. Note the commas separating each sub-period. The periods can be overlapping, and expressions, lists etc. are allowed as arguments. TIME and TIMESPAN do not synchronize automatically. (B): Work on file sharing. In some cases users like to run two or more instances of Gekko in the same folder (at the same time). This Gekko version implements file waiting, i.e. if a file seems blocked Gekko waits until it hopefully becomes unblocked later on. You will be informed if Gekko is waiting for a file (either read or write access, or file zipping), and Gekko will wait for a maximum of 10 minutes whereafter it will fail. Beware that sharing the working folder between several Gekko's at the same time can in principle produce unpredictable results (but in practice it will most often be ok). (C): You can choose to have all variable names written in CAPS, for easier use with AREMOS. Example: "WRITE <caps=yes> scenario" will write to the file scenario.tsd, with all variable names in CAPS.

Version 1.0.43 -- 11/4 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!). NOTE: The RES command has a bug -- please use 1.0.44 or above.

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

Work on Excel-export using WPLOT. You can now indicate sheet, cell, if dates are to be written, if labels are to be written, coloring of cells, transpose, and if it should append to an existing file. Example: "WPLOT fY fX file=data sheet=gdp cell=d3 colors=yes transpose=no append=yes". This will write the data into an existing file (data.xls or data.xlsx), to the sheet 'gdp'. Defaults are the following: cell=a1, dates=yes, labels=yes, colors=yes, transpose=no, append=no.

Version 1.0.42 -- 6/4 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!). NOTE: The RES command has a bug -- please use 1.0.44 or above.

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

GMULPRT statement has been implemented. For a given variable, it shows values from Work bank, Baseline bank, and differences together side-by-side. GMULPRT has the same syntax as PRT, PPLOT, WPLOT etc., and accepts expressions, lists etc. Additionally, regarding PRT, PPLOT, WPLOT etc., the print codes have been augmented by an optional 'b' (for 'baseline'). So if you write "P fY" you will get the baseline values of variable fY printed (naturally you could also write "P @fY", but often the print code is the easiest way). Other uses could be "P <bp> fY" for percentage growth in the baseline bank, or "P <bd> fY" for differences.

Version 1.0.41 -- 31/3 2011

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!). NOTE: The RES command has a bug -- please use 1.0.44 or above.

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

Two things have been implemented: (a) if you type "aremos" on the prompt, Gekko will help you install a bat-file for use with the AREMOS software system. This is only relevant for AREMOS users. (b) I have tried to make sure Gekko does not lock any files needlessly. For instance, when it reads or writes a file, it releases it immediately afterwards (also if there is an error). But if some file still seems to lock (sharing violation), particularly if several users use the same folder at the same time, you may try to write "locked" on the command prompt. This will list any locked files in the working folders (and all sub-folders), and will aid me find any bugs related to locking of files.

Version 1.0.40 -- 28/11 2010

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!). NOTE: The RES command has a bug -- please use 1.0.44 or above.

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

Primarily work on the help system. All help files have been updated, some more extensively than others. Also some overview help files have been added, most notably a guided tour through a simple 3-equation Keynesian model with a Philips curve. This guided tour can be walked through, in order to familiarize oneself with the basic concepts and capabilities of Gekko. The guided tour does not depend upon any model (.frm) file or databank (.tsd file). All ingredients are fabricated during the tour :-). Click on the 'Help' tab (or press F1), and choose "Guided tour" in the list at the top of the document.

Version 1.0.39 -- 27/11 2010

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!). NOTE: The RES command has a bug -- please use 1.0.44 or above.

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

Some small improvements in this version. (1) Very simple IF-statement allowed; can be controlled with MACRO's. For example: MACRO + shock true // IF ('!shock' == 'true) // UPD tg = 0.26 // ELSE // UPD tg = 0.24 // END. Later on, more sophisticated use of conditional statements (and loops) will be implemented. So this is just intended to control the flow of a system of command files, by means of some global MACRO settings (please put those at the top of your master/primary command file, and do not alter them since macro's are read-only). (2) The .tsd file format has been changed to allow two more digits (now up to 9 significant digits in all, which is not too bad). They are less human-readably, but AREMOS still reads them :-). Applies to the WRITE statement. Tsd file size does not change because of this.

Version 1.0.38 -- 11/11 2010

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!). NOTE: The RES command has a bug -- please use 1.0.44 or above.

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

Mostly small bugfixes. Introduced status in lower right corner (green = ok, yellow = working, red = error). Errors have been given a color, too, and at the end of callig a command the total number of errors and warnings is printed. Referencing file paths should be ok now, so wherever you can write a file name, you can also indicate a path (relative or absolute). So "WRITE bank" writes to the working folder, whereas "WRITE b:\forecast\bank" writes to an absolute path. You can indicate a relative path, for instance "WRITE \forecast2\bank". In that case, the file will be put in the sub-folder \forecast2 relative to the working folder.

Version 1.0.37 -- 9/11 2010

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!). NOTE: The RES command has a bug -- please use 1.0.44 or above.

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

The error messages have been improved. Due to some technical stuff regarding the lexer/tokenizer, the error messages have been very bad. But now at least they point to the right word/character. Needs polishing, but much better now.

Else, work on Excel export. You may indicate a heading, labels for the expressions, and a file name. For instance: "WPLOT heading = 'Table 1. Trade' fM/fY 'Import (fM)' fE/fY 'Export (fE)' file = trade". The '' means annual percentage growth, and the variables are the import and export shares of GDP, fM/fY and fE/fY. The result is saved in the file 'trade.xlsx'. Without the file indication, the result is shown on the screen. Depending upon your Excel version, the file will be either trade.xls (Excel 2003) or trade.xlsx (Excel 2007).

Version 1.0.36 -- 5/11 2010

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!). NOTE: The RES command has a bug -- please use 1.0.44 or above.

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

The command "WRITE <xls>" has been fixed so that it also works under Excel 2003, and not only Excel 2007. The Excel sheet has been given a more modern look (same colors as Word 2007 headings) -- the look can be reverted to the old one with "option interface excel modernlook no".

Version 1.0.35 -- 3/11 2010

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!). NOTE: The RES command has a bug -- please use 1.0.44 or above.

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

This version will look for a file with the name 'isstart.cmd' in the working folder (and run it if it exists). The version also accepts commands as parameters to the gekko.exe file. Else, it is possible to comment out blocks of code in command files by means of a '/*' (start comment) and '*/' (end comment). For instance 'time 2002 /* comment here */ 2005' is equal to 'time 2002 2005'. Using '/*' and '*/' are especially handy for commenting out multiple lines. Last, the function key 'F2' inserts a blank line in the command window.

Version 1.0.34 -- 1/11 2010

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!). NOTE: The RES command has a bug -- please use 1.0.44 or above.

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

Some small fixes. Most notably a new option: "option solve data createvars". When this is set to "yes" (which it is by default), the MODEL statement also creates any model variables not found in the Work databank (and fills them with missing values). Before, all variables not found in the databank would have had to be created manually before they could have been filled with data by means of the UPD and GENR statements.

State of the software: It seems to be running quite ok. The two most pressing issues now are: (1) finishing the help system completely, and (2) error messages. I believe I have found out why the error messages have become so stupid lately. Will try to fix this soon, at the moment the error messages are a disgrace......

Version 1.0.33 -- 25/10 2010

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!). NOTE: The RES command has a bug -- please use 1.0.44 or above.

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

A lot of small fixes. Model info is now stored in zip-files instead of sub-folder. Some work on Newton algorithm. The .bat file creation menu item has been reworked. Can now save data in Excel files: for instance "write <2000 2010 xls> fY fE fM data.xls". It uses Excel silently, and will save the file as a .xls or .xlsx file depending on you Excel version (2003 or 2007). Lastly, a lot of work on the help files. See the overview in the 'Help' tab.

Version 1.0.32 -- 11/10 2010

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!). NOTE: The RES command has a bug -- please use 1.0.44 or above.

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

Mostly fixing some bugs. Experimenting with compiler settings, seems to be about 10-50% faster, and should work in 64-bit environments. A bug in write<csv> has been fixed -- it put the output files in some obscure place instead of the working folder.

Version 1.0.31 -- 6/10 2010

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!). NOTE: The RES command has a bug -- please use 1.0.44 or above.

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

New in this version: (a) Excel-integration (WPLOT) has been completely reworked. It no longer uses Excel macros to do it, so it should be able to run in all environments regardless of security and language settings. (b) You can choose working folder from recent folders, see File --> Recent folders... (c) Writing a csv-file works again. New syntax: "write <csv> fXnm fXnk fXnq data.csv", or "write <2005 2010 csv> #erhverv data.csv". This syntax emulates AREMOS' way to do it. (d) Add-files and .cmd-files are now handled exactly like PCIM. (e) Lastly, a recurring issue regarding Gekko window size and user settings has been fixed (hopefully). Thanks to Christine for her patience.

Version 1.0.30 -- 28/9 2010

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!). NOTE: The RES command has a bug -- please use 1.0.44 or above.

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

This pretty stable version has focused on being able to run the long forecast from the Danish Ministery of Finance. Their system is really testing the software, and being able to run their system means that it seems reasonable to declare Gekko out of the beta stage. I've also worked on error handling -- more to be done though... For Michael: there is now an "option solve data ignoremissing yes" regarding how Gekko deals with missing data when simulating. Please set this option to "no" normally, but setting it to "yes" may emulate the way PCIM works if you need a quick fix regarding missing values.

Version 1.0.29 -- 13/9 2010 -- BETA version.

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!). NOTE: The RES command has a bug -- please use 1.0.44 or above.

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

Getting reasonably stable, but still BETA. Most of the stuff is working, but I need to stress-test it on real-world forecasts before I would recommend it for other purposes than testing. This version introduces tabs in the interface (see below). The output tab is for bulky output, and the help tab is the help system. The help system is being worked upon. At the moment, write "help <command>" in the main window to call the help files.

Version 1.0.28 -- 23/8 2010 -- Please do not use this version for other purposes than testing -- it is a BETA version.

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!). NOTE: The RES command has a bug -- please use 1.0.44 or above.

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

Still BETA, sorry, but stability is improving! Decomposition is working in a preliminary version. At this point, only multiplier decomposition. When running multiplier analysis, you can for instance write "udvalg fY" on a left-side variable (like "fY") and get a graph with contributions. It is simple enough to export the values to Excel, but before I prettify things, I think I need to think about how to present this kind of output. Problem is that you often get a confusing number of contributions, so some easy way to pool some of these could be nice (pooling of lags would be a first step). Otherwise, all commands work with time periods and lists (whenever it makes sense). Time periods may be written as "prt 2010 2012 fY" or "prt <2010 2012> fY", where the first one alters global time settings, and the last one does not.

Version 1.0.27 -- 11/8 2010 -- Please do not use this version for other purposes than testing -- it is a BETA version.

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!). NOTE: The RES command has a bug -- please use 1.0.44 or above.

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

Still BETA ... but getting more stable. There are a lot of small changes and bug-fixes. Major changes are: faster Gauss-Seidel simulation (using model ordering info on prologue and epilogue variables), absolute periods supported (for instance: "prt fY/fY(2001q3)"). Macro's are implemented (again). There is a problem with macro's in systems of command files calling each other, however. So for now, please put macro's at the top in your primary/"master" command file. (The issue is that Gekko compiles whole command files into machine code now, instead of interpreting line-by-line, and this complicates the use of macros. This will be fixed somehow).

Version 1.0.26 -- 4/8 2010 -- Please do not use this version for other purposes than testing -- it is a BETA version.

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

This is a BETA version and contains the largest number of profound code changes in any Gekko version up to now, because of a newly implemented ANTLR parser. The old Gekko version did so-called lexing (splitting input into words, so-called tokens), whereas the new version does both lexing and parsing at the same time. The parser outputs a tree structure a la what is shown in the figure below (a so-called AST tree). Because of the new parser, about 50% of all Gekko-code has been rewritten, so this is really heavy surgery. There are still some commands missing (most notably macros), but all in all most of the basic stuff is up and running. Some benefits are already apparent: quarters and monthly frequency is handled in all commands, and quarterly/monthly models can be simulated. Lists work everywhere. Reading a model is faster, and whole command files are converted into machine-code before running them, speeding things up considerably. There are many other benefits to using a real parser. Handling of models and command files syntax gets easier to work with, and the underlying Gekko code gets more robust, too. In the long run this is exprected to pay off, also regarding error messages, suggestions etc. Without a "real" parser like ANTLR, the Gekko code would slowly but surely grow more and more complicated and unmaintainable. Below is shown part of the AST tree corresponding to the statement "genr pch(fY) = pch(fM(-1)) * 2 + 1 $" (only the right-hand side of the statement is shown in the figure):

Version 1.0.25 -- 25/3 2010 -- Please do not use this version for other purposes than testing -- it is a BETA version.

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

This is a BETA version because of the large number of pretty profound changes under the hood. Work has been done on (1) the Newton algorithm (means/goals, more robust now), (2) Gauss-Seidel convergence criterias, (3) multi-threading (to keep the GUI responsive), (4) time iteration (now done abstractly, facilitating use of quarters and months), and export to Excel (via wplot command). Next in pipeline is work on the parser. I've changed from GOLD parser to ANTLR. Implementing the parser will be the last big infrastructure change in Gekko -- after that I think the main building blocks are ok regarding further development. Excel integration (wplot) is done with an injected VBA script, and seems ok (at the moment it just prints a table with the variables). Using VSTO is considered, but VBA is ok for simple things (and should work for any Excel version).

Version 1.0.24 -- 9/12 2009

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

Work on error messages when compiling a model with 'model' statement. The problematic equations are now printed out on the screen, with the probable error location(s) marked in red. NOTE: there was a bug in this version, so that the inbuild equation browser looks odd.

Version 1.0.23 -- 8/12 2009

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

Work on automatic residual check. Click the menu Utilities --> Compare/check equations... to see how to do it (the menu item contains a guide). The residual check will split equations into types (e.g. _I, _S, and so on), and will sort the results alphabetically, by absolute differences, or by relative differences. Relative differences are often the best choice. A similar menu item is available for databank comparison, see Utilities --> Compare/check databanks... All compare stuff can only be called from the menu, and the previsous ugly "samro" etc. statement is removed from the Gekko commands. More facilities regarding residual check will be added, for now it is just a prototype.

Version 1.0.22 -- 5/11 2009

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

It seems there was a bug when the Gekko window size and position was stored. The bug occurred when the Gekko window was minimized, and the user then exited Gekko in a minimized state. It is now checked whether window size/positions are ok when loaded from last session. And window size/positions are no longer stored if the window is maximized or minimized. (Special thanks to Christine for struggling with this bug).

Version 1.0.21 -- 1/11 2009

Installer file (please close Gekko before installation!)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

Fixed an issue in TSP data conversion, should work again. Added a "compare" command that compares variables in model, databank and variable list, to see if some are missing (or superfluous). Output from the comparison will be in the file compare.txt.

Version 1.0.20 -- 26/10 2009

Installer file (gekko_install.msi)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

More work on equation browsing and the "disp" command. The variable list must be put into the .frm file, and a "varlist$"-tag should be put before the list. Like that, it gets automatically loaded when the model is loaded via the "model" statement. When using the "disp" command, the variables are clickable, and there are two browser buttons to use (backwards and forwards, like internet browsing). It still needs some polishing. Should be integrated with decomposition at some point.

Version 1.0.19 -- 17/10 2009

Installer file (gekko_install.msi)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

The "disp" command show more info. Upgrading without uninstalling should be possible now.

Version 1.0.18 -- 15/10 2009

Installer file (gekko_install.msi)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

Basically just the same as 1.0.17, to try out upgrading/versioning.

Version 1.0.17 -- 14/10 2009

Installer file (gekko_install.msi)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

Some small fixes, does not lock files when it reads them. Preliminary version of variable list can be tried ("varlist varlist.dat"). After this, you may try "disp [variablename]" to see the labels. This will be worked into an equation browser.

Version 1.0.16 -- 10/10 2009

Installer file (gekko_install.msi)

Setup file (only relevant if you have problems with the installer file)

Version numbers are now implemented, and installation has been simplified (you only need to execute one .msi file, and you don't need to uninstall first). Hopefully this will make upgrading easier. Also some small fixes, including a "clear screen" command ("cls"), and showing info on the work and baseline databanks.

Version 1.0.15 -- 8/6 2009

Installer.

Comparing two databanks made easy. Simply "read <databank1>" followed by "read <databank2> followed by "samro". This produces a file called "sam<index>.txt" with the differences (ordered by relative differences). There are 4 ways to use it: sama (absolute, alphabetical list), samr (relative, alphabetical list), samao (absolute, ordered list), samro (relative, ordered list). Ooooops, thinking about it, the first two produce precisely the same file .... but never mind. The syntax is ugly anyway, to be fixed soon hopefully. You can also specify a period: "samro 1990 2005".

Version 1.0.14 -- 27/3 2009

Installer.

There was a bug regarding reading of tsd files. Gekko rescales timeseries in RAM, starting out with an array of length 200 for each time series (can hold 200 observations). If this is exceeded, the timeseries is rescaled to length 300 etc. However, the bug meant that the timeseries was only rescaled, and not filled with new data. It only affects databanks running to around year 2100, which is why the bug has not been found until now. Reading the same bank two times worked as a workaround, but the bug is fixed now. In addition, rudimentary support for updprt is added. Works only for annual data, and for operators = and +. Example: "updprt + fy fm fcp". This produces upd statements for the given global period. Has to be copied from the screen (mark it, and Ctrl+C and Ctrl-V).

Version 1.0.13 -- 24/3 2009

Installer.

There seemed to be a problem with csvwrite confusing decimal and thousand separator and thus creating garbage under some Windows language settings. Csvwrite is now set to write in scientific format (just like normal tsdwrite), we'll see if it works. The problem only affects some computers.

Version 1.0.12 -- 23/2 2009

Installer.

Apparently the "efter" command had ceased working -- this bug is fixed. Also implemented PCIM's syntax regarding "mulpct" and "pctprt". In the long run, all the syntax will be made more clean and consistent (and hopefully AREMOS-like). Also, the whole Visual Studio project has been cleaned up completely, and the installer seems to work.... (and Subversion/SVN is now used for versioning).

Version 1.0.11 -- 18/2 2009

Installer.

Fixed an I/O bug. When the user opens Gekko from Start --> Programs, the previous working dir is read from a xml file. Gekko did not check if the previous working dir might have been deleted in the meantime, and if so Gekko did not even start up.

Version 1.0.10 -- 15/12 2008

Installer.

Changes: "Csvwrite" writes .csv format (Gekko already reads it). The syntax is csvwrite <filename> <startyear> <endyear> <var1> <var2> ... The variables can be a list, and providing start and end year can be omitted. The filename has .csv appended if missing. If no variables are provided, the whole work bank is written. Pathnames are not allowed for the file. The whole system needs to implement the parser, otherwise allowing e.g. a file path here leads to complicated coding. Csv is a quite nice format for interfacing with Excel, and double-clicking a csv-file should open it in Excel directly. In addition, error handling is changed a little bit, to provide a better user experience.

Version 1.0.9 -- 17/11 2008

Installer.

Changes: Reads AREMOS-type tsd files. It assumes more structure in the tsd files (e.g. that the data fields are exactly 15 characters wide), and does not have problems with labels containing any characters. It even reads tsd files faster than before. (The old and more robust way to parse a tsd file can still be called with "read2 <filename>" if needed).

Version 1.0.8 -- 1/11 2008

Installer.

gekko.exe and other program files as a simple .zip-file here.

Changes: lists of endogenous, true exogenous and JDZ-type exogenous are made and put into "<model>_info" folder. Information about the number of these vars is provided when a model is loaded.

Version 1.0.7 -- 28/8 2008

Installer.

gekko.exe and other program files as a simple .zip-file here.

UPDATE: tsd reader fixed

Changes: quarters and months implemented! Actually the databank structure was already designed to deal with it, but it took some coding to parse stuff like "time 2001m3 2005m12". It only works for the upd, print/plot and read/tsdread commands at the moment, so don't try any quarterly models yet. So it is kind of a proof of concept, in order to prove that it is possible. You may try this: set freq q // time 2001q1 2003q4 // upd xx = 100 // upd xx 2001q2 2003q4 % 1 // p xx. Variables with the same name but different frequency may co-exist in the same databank. It reads a mixed-frequency tsd file produced by AREMOS just fine.

Version 1.0.6 -- 20/8 2008

Installer.

gekko.exe and other program files as a simple .zip-file here.

Changes: The syntax in Backus-Naur form (BNF) has been corrected a little bit. And suggestions are shown in a box when typing. See image below. Suggestions may be switched off in the options menu. To see how it works, try typing "set" <space> "solve" <space> "method" <space>. When typing space the parser suggests the next item by means of the BNF syntax. You may select from the menu by arrow down + Enter or double-clicking with the mouse. As of now this functionality is still a bit buggy and needs to be tested. But it will be helpful if/when the syntax gets more AREMOS-like. HMMMMM: actually it is really annoying that the menu box cannot extend down below the status line ("Annual ...." in the image). Should be fixed soon!

Version 1.0.5 -- 10/8 2008

Installer.

gekko.exe and other program files as a simple .zip-file here.

Changes: add-command added, and support for using @-symbol in genr and print statements (means taking the variable from the baseline bank). In addition, a real parser/lexer has been implemented. As of now just for fun -- only effect is that it provides suggestions for the next statement at the bottom of the Gekko window. Next step is more meaningful error messages etc. The PCIM syntax has been stated in the so-called Backus-Naur form (BNF), as can be seen here.

Version 1.0.4 -- 7/7 2008

Installer.

gekko.exe and other program files as a simple .zip-file here.

Changes: Some more commands in order to run the model as used by the Ministry of Finance. For instance: macro, dumon/of, create, delete, flat, efter, return, stop. Fixed one bug in the upd command (when upd'ing lists). Upd command can create variables with '=' operator if the variable starts with 'xx'. Documentation updated. Gekko syntax really needs to be settled sometime: is a very ugly mix of PCIM and AREMOS at the moment!

Version 1.0.3 -- 8/6 2008

Installer.

gekko.exe and other program files as a simple .zip-file here.

Changes: Numerous improvements due mostly to feedback from Hans Lunsing. Should provide a more user-friendly experience. There are some new set options, and it is possible to get a list of current settings. Option menu reworked. Possibility to reset the program state, and option to clear all databanks. When saving a graph, the user can provide a name for the file. Documentation is made less PCIM-centric with more explanations of PCIM syntax.

Version 1.0.2 -- 28/4 2008

Installer.

gekko.exe and other program files as a simple .zip-file here.

Changes: Full implementation of exogenization by means of D-variables (via formula codes like _GJRD). The reverted J-variables (add-factors) are now calculated, so PCIM-style exogenization and re-endogenization is now possible. Regarding the "after model", any formula beginning with "Y" in the model part following the AFTER$ statement will only be run once after the model has been solved (typically this is reverted J-variables added by hand). All other equations in the ADAM after model are treated as normal endogenous variables. Gekko's ordering algorithm puts them in the epilogue automatically. In conclusion: Gekko now reads jul05.frm or apr07.frm just as they are with no changes necessary.

Version 1.0.1 -- 23/4 2008

Installer.

gekko.exe and other program files as a simple .zip-file here.

Changes: In the SAFFIER model, one of the equations was accidently commented out. Has been switched on. So now the equation count in SAFFIER is 2979 as it should be. In Gekko, the ordering algorithm is improved. SAFFIER's feedback set is now down to 41. Pretty close to what ISIS produces (38). Note: Gekko keeps info about ordering in the file <model>.ordering.

Version 1.0.0 -- 20/4 2008

Installer