Gams Ide

GAMS IDE
Documentation
Copyright © 1997-2003 GAMS Development Corporation
II GAMS IDE
Table of Contents
Foreword 4
Part I Contents 6
1 Online Documentation
................................................................................................................................... 6
2 Contact Information
................................................................................................................................... 6
Part II Guided Tour 8

1 Open a model...................................................................................................................................
in the model library 8
2 Edit source ................................................................................................................................... 8
3 Running a model
................................................................................................................................... 9
4 Selecting Solvers
................................................................................................................................... 10
5 Navigating the
...................................................................................................................................
listing file 10
6 Correcting a ...................................................................................................................................
syntax error 10
7 Using the IDE
...................................................................................................................................
for existing GAMS models 11
8 Using the mouse
................................................................................................................................... 11
Part III Menus and Windows 14

1 File Menu ................................................................................................................................... 14
File | Close ... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 14
File | Compile ... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 14
File | Exit ... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 15
File | New ... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 15
File | Previous ... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 15
File | Print ... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 15
File | Project ... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 15
File | Open ... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 16
File | Run ... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 16
File | Save ... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 16
File | Save All ... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 16
File | Reopen ... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 17
File | Open Model... ....
Library
..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 17
File | Save As ... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 17
File | Open in New
... ....
Window
..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 17
2 Edit Menu ................................................................................................................................... 17
Edit Window PopUp ... .... .....
Menu .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 18
Edit | Copy (Ctrl+C)
... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 18
Edit | Cut (Ctrl+X)
... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 18
Edit | Paste (Ctrl+V)
... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 18
Edit | Redo (Shift+Ctrl+Z)
... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 18
Edit | Select All ... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 18
Edit | Undo (Ctrl+Z)
... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 18
Edit | Delete ... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 19
Edit | Word Wrap... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 19
Editor Keys ... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 19

Contents III
Copy / Paste.. &....Delete

..... .... .....
(ClipBoard)
.... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 19
Cursor Movement
.. .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 20
Files and Windows
.. .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 20
Find And Replace
.. .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 21
Selecting Text
.. .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 21
Selecting Text
.. ....in.....
Columns
.... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 22
Special Edits.. .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 22
Undo and Redo.. .... .....
changes
.... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 22
3 Search Menu................................................................................................................................... 22
Search / Replace...Text
.... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 23
Search | Find Again
... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 23
Search | Find in ...
Files
.... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 23
Search | Goto Line
... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 24
Match Parenthesis... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 24
4 Window Menu
................................................................................................................................... 24
Window | Arrange
... ....
All..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 24
Window | Cascade
... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 25
Window | Tile Horizontal
... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 25
Window | Tile Vertical
... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 25
5 Utilities ................................................................................................................................... 25
Utilities | GDXDIFF
... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 25
6 Options ................................................................................................................................... 26
Options | Editor... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 26
Options | Colors... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 27
Options | Directories
... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 27
Options | Execute
... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 28
Options | Execute2
... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 29
Options | File Extensions
... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 29
Options | Licenses
... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 30
Options | Output... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 30
Options | Solvers
... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 30
7 Main Form: Buttons
...................................................................................................................................
and entry fields 31
Command prompt
... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 31
GAMS Parameters
... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 31
8 Other Windows
................................................................................................................................... 32
GDX data browser
... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 32
Mini Explorer ... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 32
Print Dialog ... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 33
Process Window... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 34
Part IV Installation Notes 36

1 Known Problems
................................................................................................................................... 36
Floppy Disk Drive
... ....
Spins
..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 36
Error Opening a...File
.... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... .... ..... ..... .... ..... ............... 36
Index 38
III
4 Foreword
This document contains the

on-line help of the GAMS IDE. Its
main purpose is to provide this
documentation in a printable
format.

Part
I
6 GAMS IDE
1 Contents
The GAMS IDE is a general text editor with the ability to launch and monitor the compilation /
execution of GAMS models. Progress of a compilation / execution can be monitored in the process
window. The process window is also used as a navigation tool to locate syntax errors in the source
code and to find various anchor points in the listing file. The IDE also facilitates the selection of default
solvers and manages GAMS parameters on a file by file basis.
The IDE uses some new GAMS features which are not available in versions prior to version 95.
The on-line help only covers the use of the IDE, not the GAMS language. There is a mechanism
however to access the GAMS documentation from the editor; see Online Documentation 6 .
The interactive nature of the Windows environment often makes it difficult to reproduce a program bug
reported by a user. If possible, try to reproduce the bug after a fresh start, noting the steps leading to
the problem.
Guided Tour of the GAMS IDE 8
Menus and Windows 14
1.1 Online Documentation

The GAMS IDE has its own integrated help system. This system documents the use of the IDE.
To allow for GAMS language documentation, solver documentation and user model documentation a
file access mechanism is available from the IDE. As the user selects the help menu, the menu is
extended with all files found in the 'docs' directory. Selecting a file from the menu will launch the
program associated with that file.
1.2 Contact Information

GAMS Development Corporation
1217 Potomac Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007, USA
Phone: (202) 342-0180

Fax: (202) 342-0181
Web: http://www.gams.com
Email: sales@gams.com or support@gams.com
For bug reports, questions, suggestions and other feedback, please contact:
Paul van der Eijk,
paul@gams.com
Tel: (202) 342-0180
Fax: (202) 342-0181

Part
II
8 GAMS IDE
2 Guided Tour
This section is a hands-on demonstration of some of the features of the GAMS IDE.
Open a model in the model library 8

Running a model 9
Selecting Solvers 10
Navigating the listing file 10
Correcting a syntax error 10
Using the IDE for existing GAMS models 11
2.1 Open a model in the model library

When you run the GAMS IDE for the very first time, the program may ask you to create a project. The
project file is used to remember the various settings for the editor; the file does not contain any GAMS
source code. When installing the GAMS IDE, a default project file is created; more details about this
can be found in the Installation Notes 36 .
After creating the project, you will see the main window; no text file is shown. Note that the file name
of the project is shown in the title bar of the main window.
We can enter a small GAMS model now, but it will be easier to open one of the existing models in the
model library. On the menu, use the mouse and click on 'File'; on the sub-menu shown, select 'Model
library', and select 'Open GAMS Model Library'. This will show all the models available in the GAMS
Model library. Using the mouse, move the button in the scrollbar and use the mouse to select the
model 'TRNSPORT'. Double-click using the mouse, or press the Enter key to select the model.
Typing the first characters of the model name in the Search field helps to locate the model:
2.2 Edit source

The TRNSPORT model will be opened in the editor, and the title bar of the edit window will show the
complete file name. The model file and required data files, if any, are copied to the current project

Guided Tour 9
directory.
The edit window is organized as a tabbed notebook. The tabs allow you to navigate quickly between
various files by clicking on the corresponding tab.
On the bottom of the main window you see 1:1. This indicates that the edit cursor is on line one,
column one. This box will be updated as soon as the cursor moves to a different location. The next
box does not show any text at this time. As soon as the file is modified, it will show 'Modified'. The next
box shows 'Insert'; this indicates that any text entered in the editor will be inserted rather than
overwrite existing text. Pressing the Insert key will toggle between Insert and Overwrite, and the shape
of the text cursor will change. The last box will show additional information when moving the mouse
over buttons, menu items etc.
The editor uses colors to differentiate between various syntactic elements of the language. The color
scheme used depends on the file extension of the current file. By default, the editor recognizes '.gms'
as the file extension for GAMS files. Additional file extensions can be identified as GAMS files; see
Options | Editor 26 .
2.3 Running a model

To run the TRNSPORT model, use the mouse and click on the run button on the main window. When
moving the mouse over various buttons, a small yellow box will appear indicating the function of the
button. You can also start a run from the File menu. The File menu has a Run command, and the F9
in the right margin of the menu indicates that pressing the F9 key can also be used for this command.
Like many other edit commands, the run or compile command will always use the current (active) file
as the file to use.

10 GAMS IDE
2.4 Selecting Solvers

When this is the very first time you execute the run command, you will be asked if you want to select
your default solvers. Selecting solvers for the various model types will let you override the defaults
assigned when you installed the software. It is also a good idea to revisit this option screen after
installing a different GAMS license file.
Pressing F1 while viewing the solver selection screen will give more help, or click on the following link
to the solver selection 30 help screen, and come back to this point by clicking the 'back' button.
2.5 Navigating the listing file

After starting the run, a new window, called the Process Window, will be shown. The Process Window
shows the progress of the GAMS execution. You can change the size of the Process Window and
move it to a more convenient location.
The Process Window 34 can show multiple GAMS processes running at the same time. Like the Edit
Window, it is organized like a notebook with tabs. The top of the windows will show how many
processes are active.
After the run has finished, we can use this window to open the listing file and position the cursor. Use
the mouse and double-click on the line "---Reading solution for model TRANSPORT". This line is
shown in blue. The listing file will be opened, and the cursor is positioned on the "Solve Summary".
2.6 Correcting a syntax error

The edit window will show two tabs on the notebook; one for the '.gms' file, the second for the '.lst' file.
Select the trnsport.gms tab, so we can modify the model.
After selecting the gms file, we want to introduce a syntax error. Position the cursor on line 37 for the
table statement and type a comma after the j. You can use the mouse or the up- and down arrow keys
to move to line 37. You can also specify a line number directly by pressing Ctrl+G and enter the line
number.

Guided Tour 11
Click the run button again to run the model. The gms file will be saved automatically. Notice that the lst
file disappeared from the editor. The process window will show the GAMS errors in red; double-click
on the red line with "*** Error 2". In stead of showing the lst file, the cursor will move to the gms file
and the position of the cursor will be close to the syntax error.
A double-click in the process window will position the cursor in the lst file when the line is black, and
position the cursor in the gms file when the line is red. To position the cursor in the lst file when the
line is red, hold down the Shift key when double-clicking.
2.7 Using the IDE for existing GAMS models

When you want to use the GAMSIDE to edit an existing GAMS model, create a new project file in the
same directory used for starting the GAMS run from the DOS prompt. See File | Project | New
Project 15 .
A project file is used to store various options, such as search strings etc., but more important, it
defines the starting directory for the GAMS run.
When you want to run GAMS with additional command line parameters, these parameters can be
specified in the right-most entry field on the main window.
For example, to save a workfile after the run is complete, enter S=wrkfil. To make a second run using
the previously saved workfile, specify R=wrkfil. The parameters you specify in this field are associated
with the current edit file. There are more options to specify parameters, see GAMS Parameters 31 .
The parameters used are saved between edit sessions and can be used again by clicking on the
down-arrow in the parameter field.
2.8 Using the mouse

The mouse can be used to position the cursor, select and move text, or get access to the PopUp
menu.
Getting access to the PopUp menu:

A right mouse click will provide access to the PopUp menu.
Positioning the cursor:

To position the cursor, move the mouse to the desired location and click once using the left
mouse button.
Selecting text:

12 GAMS IDE
Word
Double click on the word using the left mouse button.
Text
Position the cursor on the first character you want to select, and while holding down the left
mouse button, move the cursor to the last character to be selected.
Second method:
Position the cursor on the first character you want to select using single click with the left mouse
button. While holding down the Shift key, select the last character you want to include with a
single left mouse click.
Text in columns
Position the cursor on the first character you want to select, and while holding down the left
mouse button and the Alt key, move the cursor to the last character to be selected.
Second method:
Position the cursor on the first character you want to select and single click the left mouse button.
While holding down the Alt key and the Shift key, select the last character you want to include
with a single left mouse click.
Moving text using the mouse:

When text has been selected, it can be moved (dragged) to a different location. Click inside the
selected text and hold down the left mouse button. Moving the mouse will change the cursor and
when you reach the new location for the text, release the mouse button.

Part
III
14 GAMS IDE
3 Menus and Windows
File Menu 14
Edit Menu 17
Search Menu 22
Windows Menu 24
Utilities Menu 25
Options Menu 26
Main form: Buttons and Fields 31
Other Windows 32
GDX data browser 32
Print Dialog 33
Process Window 34
3.1 File Menu
New 15 Ctrl+N
Open 16 Ctrl+O
Reopen 17 Alt+R
Open in New Window 17 Ctrl+Shift+O
Model Library 17
Project 15
Save 16 Ctrl+S
Save As 17
Save All 16 Ctrl+Shift+S
Close 14
Run 16 F9
Compile 14 Ctrl+F9
Options 26
Print 15
Previous 15
Exit 15
3.1.1 File | Close

Close current file
Close the current file in all edit windows. If the current file was modified, you will be asked to save the
file. If you created a new file, save the file under a different name than the default name provided.
3.1.2 File | Compile

Compile current file
The current file is used for a compile only step
See Gams Parameters 31 for the use of parameters
See also Process Window 34

3.1.3 File | Exit

Exit the program
If there were any files modified, you will be asked to save these files first. Clicking Cancel or pressing
the Esc key will cancel the exit
3.1.4 File | New

Create a new file.
A Tab is added to the current edit window, and a temporary name is assigned.
See also Mini Explorer 32 for details how to use the file dialog.
3.1.5 File | Previous

Shows a list of the last files opened in the editor.
The files shown are project specific; each project has its own list of recently used files.
Selecting a file will open that file by adding a tab to the current window. Holding down the Shift key
when selecting a file will open the file in a new edit window.
3.1.6 File | Print

Print the current file
When showing the Print Dialog 33 you can select the printer, preview the text to be printed and print a
selected pages on the printer.
3.1.7 File | Project

A Project file serves as a place holder to remember which edit windows and which files were open
when the project was closed in order to restore these windows in the same state when the project is
opened again.
In addition, the directory where the project file is located is used:
As the destination directory for GAMS models opened in the Model Library
As the default directory for file operations when GAMS executes, such as searching for INCLUDE files
and writing the LISTING- and PUT files
To write temporary files
When the IDE is used for the first time, a new directory, c:' is created to serve as the initial project
directory (see also Installation Notes 36 .)
During installation, the file extension GPR is registered with Windows to open a project; so a double-
click in the Windows Explorer will launch the GAMSIDE and open the specified project file.
Project Menu
Open Project
Open an existing project. After selecting an existing project file, all modified files will be saved and
the selected project will be opened. All files which were open when this project was closed will be
opened in the editor.
New Project

16 GAMS IDE
Create a new project. After selecting the directory and the name for the new project, all modified
files will be saved and all active edit windows will be closed.
Previous Projects
Shows a list of previous used projects; click on the name to close the current project and open the
new project. If any files were modified, you will be asked to save the modified files.
3.1.8 File | Open

Open one or more existing files
You will see a file dialog; in this dialog you can select various file types, like GMS (GAMS) LST
(GAMS listing file) TXT (regular text file) etc. Selecting more than one file is allowed.
If a file was open already; it will not be opened again. Instead, the edit window and the Tab for that file
will become the active edit window. If the file was modified in the editor, you will be asked if you want
to reload the file from disk.
To open a file in a new window, see: File | Open in New Window 17 , or hold down the Shift key while
selecting a file.
You can also open files by dragging the file to the editor. Select one or more file in the Windows
Explorer, and while holding down the right mouse button, move the selection to the editor and release
the mouse button.
When you open a file with the .gdx file extension, the file will not be opened as a text file, but a GDX
data browser 32 will be shown instead.
3.1.9 File | Run

Run the current file as a GAMS input file
The file is used for a compile and execute step.
See Gams Parameters 31 for the use of parameters
See also Process Window 34
3.1.10 File | Save

Save the current file
The current file will be saved. If the file has a temporary name, like noname1, you will be prompted for
a new name.
3.1.11 File | Save All

Save all modified files
If any file has a temporary name, like noname1, you will be asked to specify a new file name; see File
| Save As 17

3.1.12 File | Reopen

Reopen the current file.
The current file is loaded from disk into the editor again, and any changes made will be lost. When the
file was modified, you will be asked to confirm the action, because all changes made will be lost.
3.1.13 File | Open Model Library

Open GAMS Model Library
Open User Model Library
Browse a model library.
From this menu you can open the GAMS standard model library or open a custom model library. A
model library is identified by a file with the extension '.glb'.
After opening a model library, a list will be shown of the models found in the library. Select the model
by double-clicking the entry or by pressing the Enter key. The columns can be sorted by clicking on
the column header. A second click on the same header will reverse the sort order. A '+' or a '-'
indicates the current column header.
The Search field can be used to search for a string of characters in a model entry. The search is
applied to all the columns shown. To search for the next or previous occurrence of the search string,
use the down- and up-arrow respectively.
When opening a model from the library, existing files in the current project directory with the same
name will not be overwritten unless you confirm the overwrite.
Some models require one or more data files; these data files will not be opened in the editor
automatically, but they will be copied to the current project directory.
3.1.14 File | Save As

Save current file with a new name
You will see a window in which you can navigate to a new directory and specify a new name for the
file. Note that you can also create a new directory using this window.
3.1.15 File | Open in New Window

Open one or more files in a new edit window
You will see a file dialog; in this dialog you can select various file types, like GMS (GAMS) LST
(GAMS listing file) TXT (regular text file) etc. Selecting more than one file is allowed.
3.2 Edit Menu

On the edit menu you find a number of edit commands in addition to the many keyboard commands
available; see Editor Keys 19

18 GAMS IDE
3.2.1 Edit Window PopUp Menu

The PopUp Menu can be activated with a right mouse click or with the special key available on some
Windows keyboards.
In addition to the regular editing keys 19 , the following commands are available:
Close File (Shift+F4)

Close the current file in all edit windows. If the current file was modified, you will be asked to save
the file. If you created a new file, save the file under a different name than the default name
provided.
Close Window (Ctrl+F4)

Close the current Edit Window. If any of the files in the current edit window was modified, you will be
asked to save the file.
Next File (Alt+N)

Switch to the next file in the edit window.
Previous File (Alt+P)

Switch to the previous file in the edit window
3.2.2 Edit | Copy (Ctrl+C)

Copy the selected text to the ClipBoard
3.2.3 Edit | Cut (Ctrl+X)

Copy the selected text to the clipboard and delete the text
3.2.4 Edit | Paste (Ctrl+V)

Insert text stored in the ClipBoard at the current cursor location
3.2.5 Edit | Redo (Shift+Ctrl+Z)

Redo the last Undo command
When using the undo command, a change made can be undone by using the Redo command
3.2.6 Edit | Select All

Select all text in the current file
3.2.7 Edit | Undo (Ctrl+Z)

Undo the last change
The undo command will undo the last change made. After using the command, you can use the undo
command again, until there are no more changes to be undone or the capacity of the undo stack is
exhausted. The undo commands can be 'undone' by using the redo command.

3.2.8 Edit | Delete

Delete the selected text.
The content of the ClipBoard is not affected.
3.2.9 Edit | Word Wrap

Select if long lines should be wrapped inside the edit window.
This is a global display option; it does not affect the content of a file.
3.2.10 Editor Keys

The following tables show all the available key combinations that are available when editing text.
In addition to the keyboard, the mouse can be used to position the cursor and select text; see using
the mouse 11 .
Please note that Up, Down, Left and Right refer to the arrow keys on the keyboard.
Cursor Movement 20
Special Edits 22
Find and Replace Text 21
Copy / Paste & Delete (ClipBoard) 19
Selecting Text 21
Selecting Text (in Columns) 22
Undo and Redo changes 22
Files and Windows 20
3.2.10.1 Copy / Paste & Delete (ClipBoard)
Function
Copy block Ctrl+C Ctrl+Insert
Cut block Shift+Delete Ctrl+X
Delete block Ctrl+Delete
Delete character left Backspace
Delete character right Delete
Delete Line Ctrl+Y
Delete to end of line Ctrl+Shift+Y
Delete word left Ctrl+Backspace
Delete word right Ctrl+T
Duplicate line Ctrl+Shift+L
Paste block Shift+Insert Ctrl+V

20 GAMS IDE
3.2.10.2 Cursor Movement
Movement
Cursor to bookmark Ctrl+0 to
Ctrl+9
Set bookmark on/off Ctrl+Shift+0 to
Ctrl+Shift+9
Cursor to begin file Ctrl+Home
Cursor to end of file Ctrl+End
Cursor to line number Ctrl+G
Cursor to matching parenthesis F8
Cursor down one page PgDn
Scroll down Ctrl+Down
Cursor down Down
Cursor left Left
Cursor left previous word Ctrl+Left
Cursor right Right
Cursor right next word Ctrl+Right
Cursor to end of line End
Cursor up Up
Cursor up one page PgUp
3.2.10.3 Files and Windows
Operation
Close edit window Ctrl+F4
Close file Shift+F4
Execute compile Shift+F9
Execute run F9
Next file tab Alt+N
Open file Ctrl+O
Open file in new window Ctrl+Shift+O
Previous file tab Alt+P
Read file at cursor Alt+Shift+R
Reload file Alt+R
Save all files Ctrl+Shift+S
Save file Ctrl+S
Write block to file Alt+Shift+W

3.2.10.4 Find And Replace
Function
Find and Replace text Ctrl+R
Find next (continue replace) F3
Find previous (continue replace) Shift+F3
Find text Ctrl+F
3.2.10.5 Selecting Text
Selection
Select all Ctrl+A
Mark down Shift+Down
Mark line Ctrl+L
Mark text left Shift+Left
Mark text right Shift+Right
Mark page down Shift+PgDn
Mark page up Shift+PgUp
Mark to begin of file Ctrl+Shift+Hom
e
Mark to end of file Ctrl+Shift+End
Mark to end of line Shift+End
Mark to begin of line Shift+Home
Mark to top of screen Ctrl+Shift+PgU
p
Mark up Shift+Up
Mark word left Ctrl+Shift+Left
Mark word right Ctrl+Shift+Right

22 GAMS IDE
3.2.10.6 Selecting Text in Columns
Selection
Mark column down Alt+Shift+Down
Mark column left Alt+Shift+Left
Mark column left word Alt+Ctrl+Shift+Left
Mark column page down Alt+Shift+PgDn
Mark column page up Alt+Shift+PgUp
Mark column right Alt+Shift+Right
Mark column right word Alt+Ctrl+Shift+Right
Mark column to bottom Alt+Ctrl+Shift+End
Mark column to end of file Alt+Ctrl+Shift+PgDn
Mark column to end of line Alt+Shift+End
Mark column to file begin Alt+Ctrl+Shift+PgUp
Mark column to line begin Alt+Shift+Home
Mark column to top Alt+Ctrl+Shift+Home
Mark column up Alt+Shift+Up
3.2.10.7 Special Edits
Action
Insert line break Enter
Convert selected text to lower Alt+Shift+L
case
Tab Ctrl+I Tab
Toggle Insert / Replace Insert
Convert selected text to upper Alt+Shift+U
case
Indent block Ctrl+Shift+I
Outdent block Ctrl+Shift+U
3.2.10.8 Undo and Redo changes
Action
Redo Alt+Shift+Backspace Ctrl+Shift+Z
Undo Alt+Backspace Ctrl+Z
3.3 Search Menu

The search menu has a number of commands to search for text in the current edit window or to
search for text in files stored on disk.
Find 23 Ctrl+F

Replace 23 Ctrl+R
Find Again 23 F3
Search backward 23 Shift+F3
Match Parenthesis 24 F8
Goto Line 24 Ctrl+G
Find in Files 23
3.3.1 Search / Replace Text

The find / replace window is organized as a notebook with tabs. Clicking on a tab will show the
parameters controlling the . The last tab, 'Search Results', will be shown automatically when searching
for text in files commences.
When closing the window, in addition to all parameter settings, the search results will be preserved
during the same edit session. Ending the edit session will clear all search results.
Some parameters, like 'Whole words', are repeated for multiple search functions. Changing such a
value will affect the value in all notebook pages.
The 'Text to find field' and 'Replace with' field will remember previous searches. Click on the down-
arrow to see the previous values used.
Also see Find in Files 23
Case sensitive
When enabled, the case of the search string is used to find a match. When disabled, the case of
the search string is ignored for finding a match.
Whole Words
When enabled, a match will only occur if the specified string is surrounded by a word separator.
Word separators include parenthesis, brackets etc.
Direction: Forward / Backward

Indicates direction from the current cursor location
Scope: Global / Selected text

When text was selected in the editor prior to executing the search command, a search can be
limited to the selected text.
Origin: From Cursor / Entire scope

A search can start from the current cursor location or at the beginning of the text.
3.3.2 Search | Find Again

Find next match in the current file. When replacing text, you will be prompted to confirm the
replacement of the text found.
See Find / Replace text 23 for how to start a text search.
3.3.3 Search | Find in Files

Search for a text string in files on the disk (see also Find / Replace text 23 )
After specifying the search parameters, you can search for a text string occurring in files stored on
disk. If you did not save your current files, some strings may not be found, because the files were not

24 GAMS IDE
written to disk. Use the mouse to click on the search button, or press the Enter key, to start the
search.
After a search is complete, you can double-click on a file name shown and open that file in the editor.
When you double-click on the text found, the cursor will be positioned on that line. In addition, the
options used for the search are copied to the search parameters, so you can use the F3 key to search
for the next occurrence for example.
The search window will only display a limited number of characters to the left of the text that was
found. The symbol '«' will be shown if one or more characters are not displayed.
The following parameters can be specified:
File Path
Name of a directory where the search should start. You can enter the directory name from the
keyboard, or click on the button to get a directory dialog window.
File mask
The file pattern used for the search. To search GAMS files, specify *.gms; all files can be
searched by specifying *.* . Multiple patterns can be specified when they are separated by a ;
(semi-colon)
File names only

When enabled, only the name of the file in which the search text occurred will be shown. When
disabled, all matching lines in which the search text occurs will be shown as well.
Include sub-directories
When enabled, all sub-directories will be searched; when disabled, only the specified directory
will be searched.
3.3.4 Search | Goto Line

Position the cursor on the specified line number.
3.3.5 Match Parenthesis

Find the matching parenthesis.
Position the cursor after a parenthesis (or a curly brace or a square bracket.) Pressing the F8 key will
position the cursor after the matching parenthesis. If a matching parenthesis cannot be found, the
cursor will not move.
3.4 Window Menu

The window menu has commands to open additional views of the same file and help you to arrange
the multiple window shown.
Tile Horizontal 25
Tile Vertical 25
Cascade 25
Arrange All 24
3.4.1 Window | Arrange All

Arrange all minimized Edit Windows at the bottom of the main window

3.4.2 Window | Cascade

Arrange all edit windows on top of each other with the current window on top
3.4.3 Window | Tile Horizontal

All visible edit windows will be arranged horizontally.
3.4.4 Window | Tile Vertical

All visible edit windows will be arranged vertically.
3.5 Utilities
The sub-menu lists the utilities that can be called from the GAMSIDE:
GDXDIFF 25
3.5.1 Utilities | GDXDIFF

Parameters used to call the GDXDIFF utility.
GDXDIFF compares two GDX files and creates a third GDX file indicating the differences between the
two files. After executing the program, the log will be shown, and the difference file will be shown in
the data viewer.
The parameters used are stored with the current project.
GDX files and the GDXDIFF program are described in a separate document.
Parameters:
Input file one

The full path name of the first GDX file. Click the button next to this field to use an Explorer dialog
to locate the file.
Input file two

The full path name of the second GDX file. Click the button next to this field to use an Explorer
dialog to locate the file.
Difference file
The full path name of the difference file. When this field is empty, the file 'diffile.gdx' will be written
in the current project directory. Click the button next to this field to use an Explorer dialog to locate
the file.
Eps
Two values are considered equal when their absolute difference is smaller than the Eps value.
RelEps
Two values are considered equal when their relative difference is smaller than the RelEps value.
Ignore set text

When enabled, difference in explanatory texts for set tuples is ignored.
Field to compare
Specifies the field(s) to compare for variables and equations.

26 GAMS IDE
3.6 Options
Specify various options
The options are presented in the form of a notebook with tabs. Using the mouse to click on a tab will
show different options. After changing one or more options, click on OK to accept all changes, or on
Cancel to ignore all changes made.
With a few exceptions, the options are all global, i.e. they apply to all projects. When an option is
project specific, it will be indicated.
The following tabs are available:
Editor 26
Execute 28
Output 30
Directories 27
Solvers 30
Licenses 30
Colors 27
File Extensions 29
Execute2 29
3.6.1 Options | Editor

Specify options for the editor
Font
The font to be used. Double-click to get a list of fonts from which you can select the new editor
font. This font will also be used in other windows when showing a list of items.
Font Size
Size of the font to be used
Auto Indentation
When enabled, pressing the Enter key will position the cursor on the next line under the first non-
blank character facilitating indented text entry.
Syntax colors
When enabled, color the text based on the syntax of the language. The syntax used depends on
the file extension of the file being edited. GAMS files always have the 'gms' file extension. The
colors used for the syntactical elements can be specified in the colors options.
Highlight URLs
When enabled, a URL, like www.gams.com can be shown in a different color. Clicking on a URL
will launch the default web browser with the selected URL as the active page.
Show special characters

When enabled, the Tab and End of Line characters will be visible.
Maximum lines for Syntax colors

Syntax colors will be disabled for files with a number of lines exceeding the specified number.
Determining syntax colors for large files can slow down the editing of text. Reduce this number to
increase the responsiveness of the editor.
GAMS file extensions

In addition to the 'gms' file extension, additional file extensions can be specified to enable GAMS
syntax colors. Multiple file extension should be separated by a comma (,).
A file with a 'GAMS file extension' can be run or compiled as a GAMS model. The run button and
the additional parameters will be enabled. See also File Extensions 29 .
Tab key action

This option determines what happens when you press the Tab key:
Insert Tab:
A tab character is inserted. See also 'Show special characters' above.
Insert blanks:
Blank characters are inserted using the value of the tab size
Smart tabs:
Blank characters are inserted until the cursor is under a non-blank character of the previous
line
Tab Size
This value used to expand tabs with blank characters when reading a file. The valid range is
1..12. Tab expansion to blanks will not take place when the 'Tab key action' is set to 'Insert Tab'.
Tab stops
Specify the tab stops when editing text; column numbers should be separated by a comma.
Show Hints
When enabled, the little yellow rectangles (balloon help) will be shown with Hint text for the
selected item. The bottom of the main window will always show the hint text regardless of this
setting.
Files to save before Run or Compile

Select which modified files you want to save before making a run or a compile.
Right margin position

Indicates the position of the thin vertical line drawn in the editor to indicate the right margin. A
value less or equal to two will hide the line.
3.6.2 Options | Colors

Specify the colors used for the syntactic elements.
The syntax used to color the text depends on the file extension of the file being edited.
Select a syntactic element, like reserved word. The current settings for Foreground and Background
color will be shown. When selecting a different color, the text below
3.6.3 Options | Directories

Specify directories
User Model Library Directory
You can specify a model directory by entering the path, or double-click to navigate to a new directory.
The user directory can be used for an additional set of models provided by an instructor for use in a
GAMS class for example.

28 GAMS IDE
3.6.4 Options | Execute

Specify the execution environment for a GAMS run.
The following options are available:
Executable
The fully qualified name of the GAMS.EXE file. This file will be used when executing or compiling
a GAMS file. Click the button next to this field to use an Explorer dialog.
Update button
Checks if there are any .zip or .pck files in the GAMS system directory and runs GAMSINST.EXE
if any of these files can be found. The system cannot be updated when a GAMS run is still active
or when the GAMS system directory is located on a network drive.
DOS Window
The GAMS system executes in a DOS window; this window can be completely hidden, be
minimized on the task bar or shown while GAMS executes. The latter is intended for debugging
purpose.
Max Processes
The maximum number of tabs used in the process window 34 .
Max lines in process window

Specifies the maximum number of lines in the process window. When the number of lines in the
process window exceeds this number, the lines will be written to the log file. After the job has
finished, the log file can be opened in the editor for further inspection.
Update Process Window

When enabled, the status information shown in the process window will be updated continuously
and the text will scroll up, so the last line is always visible. When disabled, the text will not scroll.
Open listing file after model completion

When enabled, the listing file (.LST) will be opened in the editor as soon as the model execution
has finished. When disabled, the listing file can be opened using the file open command or by
double clicking a line of text in the process window.
Process window part of edit window

When enabled, the process window acts like one of the edit window, and can move within the
boundaries of the mainform. When disabled, the process window can float around anywhere on
the desktop.
Check file date and time when opening a file automatically

Some files can be opened automatically, like the LST file when a GAMS run has finished, or by a
double-click on the name of a PUT file shown in the process window. When this option is
enabled, a warning message will be given when the time on the file precedes the start time of the
GAMS run.
Use Following Additional Parameters

When enabled, the parameters following will be added to the parameters passed to GAMS.EXE
The parameters shown will be used when the option is enabled. Use the down arrow key, or click
on the down arrow, to see and re-use previous parameters. The use of additional parameters and
the text for the parameters are project specific options.
Additional parameters can be specified which are specific for a file; see GAMS parameters 31 .

3.6.5 Options | Execute2

Specify parameters for another system to execute the current file in the editor.
Executable
The fully qualified name of the EXE file. This file will be used when executing file with the given
file extension(s). Click the button next to this field to use an Explorer dialog to locate the file.
Parameters
This string describes the command line of the program to be called. The text will be copied, and
the following macros are recognized:
%filename%:
The name of the file selected in the editor.
%projdir%:
The directory of the active project.
%options%:
The text specified in the editor next to the run button.
File extensions
One or more file extensions, separated by commas. The file extensions in this field are used to
recognize files associated with the executable program.
3.6.6 Options | File Extensions

Associate file extensions with the GAMS IDE.
Using the Windows Explorer, a program can be started with a double-click on the file name. The
program executed depends on the file extension. For example, a 'txt' file extension will launch
NotePad to edit the file. The file extensions specified do not make these files GAMS file automatically.
i.e. apply GAMS syntax colors and enable the Run/Compile for these file. See GAMS file
extensions 26 .
You can associate the GAMS IDE with one or more file extensions using the following options. Under
WinNT/Win2000 you may have to log in as administrator to make these changes.
When the GAMS IDE starts, the program will look for file extensions associated with the GAMSIDE.
Files that are associated with other versions of the IDE will be associated with the running version
automatically.
GAMS IDE file extensions

Lists the file extensions associated with the IDE.
Delete
Remove the association between the selected file extension and the IDE.
Add
The file extension entered in the edit field will be added to the list of extensions associated with
the IDE. The edit field will only accept letters and digits.
Defaults
Replace all file extensions with the GAMS standard file extensions ('gms', 'gpr', 'log' and 'lst').

30 GAMS IDE
3.6.7 Options | Licenses

Let you specify a different GAMS license. By default, GAMS will look for a file called GAMSLICE.TXT
in the GAMS system directory. Here you can specify a different license file.
3.6.8 Options | Output

Options that control the format of the GAMS listing file.
Page Width
Print width, in characters, for the listing file
Page Height
Number of lines used on a page for the listing file
Date Format
Time Format
Page Control
3.6.9 Options | Solvers

Shows a matrix of available solvers and model types.
Three types of solver defaults can be displayed: the system defaults as determined by the GAMS
installation files, the defaults managed by the IDE and the defaults for the current project.
The first column shows all available solvers. The second column shows the license status of the
solver obtained from the GAMS license file (gamslice.txt). When a solver is enabled for a limited time
period, this column will show the number of days remaining for evaluation.
Use the mouse to select an entry in the matrix to select a default solver for a given model type. A
mouse click in the license column will make the selected solver the default solver for all applicable
model types.
The matrix shows the available solvers for all types of GAMS models. A small rectangle indicates that
the solver is the default solver for the model type; a dot indicates a possible selection, and the dash
indicates a possible selection for a special solver. Special solvers are only shown for information, they
cannot be selected from the matrix. To select a special solver, you will have to specify the solver using
additional parameters (see GAMS Parameters 31 ) or with an option statement in the GAMS model.
The 'Legend' button will show the meaning of the symbols used; a mouse-click will make the legend
disappear again.
The 'Reset' button above the matrix will remove all default assignments. When the button is disabled,
this is an indication that the system defaults cannot be modified. (This can happen in a network
environment when you do not have write permission for the GAMS system directory.)
The solver selection is processed in the following order:

System defaults
Local defaults
Project defaults
The last solver specified will be used.

Note that the GAMS option statement can overwrite your default selections also.
3.7 Main Form: Buttons and entry fields

The main form shows a number of buttons and entry fields. The buttons are available to ease the use
of the mouse, and all have equivalent menu commands.
Entry Field:
Search string
The current search string used. This field shows the same information as the 'Text to find field' of
the Find Window. Likewise, it will remember previous searches. Click on the down-arrow to see
the previous values used.
GAMS parameters
Specify parameters for the GAMS system when executing / compiling the current model file. The
parameters are associated with the GAMS file name, excluding the file path. This field is a drop
down box, which allows you to review and select previous values.
Pressing the Enter key in this field will start a GAMS run (F9); pressing Shift+Enter will start a
compile only GAMS run.
Buttons:
File Open 16
File Save 16
Search in Files 23
Search 22
Find again 23
Match parenthesis 24
Print file 15
Run 16
Command prompt 31
3.7.1 Command prompt

Create a command prompt window.
The current directory will be the same as the current project directory.
The system PATH will be extended by adding the GAMS system directory.
3.7.2 GAMS Parameters

When running or compiling a GAMS model, the GAMS system is called with the current file name and
a number of parameters. There are various methods to specify these parameters:
· The GAMS system default parameters. These parameters are stored in a file called
GMSPRM95.TXT (or GMSPRMNT.TXT for Windows/NT)
· The parameters added internally by the GAMS IDE; these include the default solver selections 30 .
· Parameters specified in Options | Execute 28 ; these parameters are project specific.
· Parameters specified on the main window that are associated with a specific GAMS file.
The parameters are processed in the order specified above. When a parameter is specified multiple
times, the one specified last will be used.

32 GAMS IDE
3.8 Other Windows

Other Windows in the GAMS IDE:
GDX data browser 32

Mini Explorer 32
Print Dialog 33
Process Window 34
3.8.1 GDX data browser

The GDX data browser shows the contents of a GDX file. GDX files can be created by GAMS or by
some utilities included with a GAMS system.
The grid on the left side shows all symbols found in the GDX file, and is sorted by the symbol name. A
mouse click on the top row will select a different column for the sort, or will reverse the sort order for
that column.
After selecting a symbol, the window on the right shows the data for selected symbol. The data
window is divided in two areas: the plane index and the data. The indices used can be re-arranged,
using the mouse using a drag and drop mechanism. To move an index, move the mouse cursor to the
source location, select the source my pressing down the left mouse button and while holding down the
button, move to the target location and release the mouse button.
An index can be moved between rows and columns in the data display, and be moved between the
data and the plane index. Such an arrangement is stored in the project file, and will be used when the
symbol is displayed again.
Fields and buttons:
Reset button
A mouse click on the rest button restores the indices to their default display, and enables
squeezing of default values.
Decimals selector
Using the mouse, one can select the number of decimals to be displayed.
Squeeze defaults checkbox

When enabled, default values for a variable or equation will not be displayed. When disabled, all
available values will be displayed.
PopUp Menu
The PopUp menu can be activated with the PopUp key on the keyboard or using a mouse click with
the right button. The following options are available:
Write symbol to HTML file

Write the current symbol formatted as an html table to a file.
Write ALL symbols to HTML file

All symbols will be written as html tables. The sequence the symbols are written is the same as
the sequence shown in the left window. Note that the sequence can be changed by clicking on
the column headers.
3.8.2 Mini Explorer

When opening or saving files, the IDE uses a file dialog to identify files. The dialog allows the selection
of one or more files, the type of file and the directory to be used.

In addition to these functions, you can create a new directory, and show more details of the files in the
current directory. When showing more file details, a mouse click on the name of a column, will sort the
files by that column.
Note that the question mark icon will provide more help for the selected items.
3.8.3 Print Dialog

Specify various options before printing or previewing the current file.
Print Selected Block

When enabled, only the selected text will be printed
Header & Page Numbers

When enabled, every page will have the file name, date and page number printed.
Line numbers
Places line numbers in the left margin.
Syntax print
Uses text attributes, such as bold and italic, to indicate elements with syntax highlighting.
Page Control Codes

When enabled, a line feed character in the text will cause a new page to be printed
Two Pages
When disabled, the pages will be printed in the current printer paper orientation (landscape or
portrait.)
When enabled, the pages will be printed depending on the current page orientation. If the page
orientation is set to portrait, every sheet will be printed in landscape, with two facing pages. If the
page orientation is set to landscape, every sheet will be printed in portrait with a single long page.
Color print
Uses color to indicate elements with syntax highlighting. Requires a color printer.
Printer font
The font used for printing. Double-click this field to get a list of fonts from which you can select the
new printer font.
Font Size
The font size used for printing
All Pages
When selected, all pages will be printed
Page Range
When selected, you can specify page ranges, for example, 1,5-6 will print page one, five and six.
BUTTONS
Ok
Use the selected parameters and show the printer selection dialog. This window allows the
selection of the destination of the output (printer, preview or file) and allows the selection of a
different printer. .

34 GAMS IDE
Close
Save all parameters and close the window.
3.8.4 Process Window

The process window shows the progress of a GAMS job during the compilation / execution and
solution phases.
Multiple jobs can be running at the same time; the different jobs are organized in the form of pages in
a notebook. Clicking on a tab will show the current status for that job.
Error messages are shown in red with an indication where the error occurred. A double-click with the
mouse will open the file and position the cursor on the error. If you want to see the error in the listing
file, hold down the Shift key while double-clicking the red line.
Important locations in the listing file are shown in blue. A double click on such a line will position the
cursor in the listing file.
A double-click on a line which is not red or blue, will position the cursor in the listing file.
Buttons:
Depending if a process is still running or has finished, the following buttons are available:
Interrupt
Signal the solver to stop at a convenient point.
Typically, solvers will check for a user interrupt in the same places where the resource limit is
checked. A user might wish to trigger an interrupt in order to stop a MIP job that has found a good
integer feasible point but does not yet satisfy the convergence tolerances, or to return an
intermediate point for an LP or NLP. The solver will return the current point and the appropriate
model status, with a solution status of 8 (USER INTERRUPT), and the GAMS run will continue.
Stop
Stop the current Job.
The job will be stopped as soon as possible, and some files may be left in the process directory.
No solution file will be written either.
It may be necessary to send the stop signal a few times to actually stop the process.
Close
Close the current process
Open Log
The LOG file for the current job will be opened in an edit window.
Options
Summary only
When enabled, the process window will only show lines that are red or blue or that start with '----'.
This will reduce the number of lines displayed in the process window by eliminating lines showing
solver iteration information etc.
Update
When enabled, the status information shown in the process window will be updated continuously
and the text will scroll up, so the last line is always visible. When disabled, the text will not scroll.
(This is the same option as described under File | Options | Execute | Update Process
Window 28 .)

Part
IV
36 GAMS IDE
4 Installation Notes
The gams IDE can be installed in any directory of your choice; this directory can be set to read-only
after the installation is complete.
In addition to the standard GAMS files, the IDE is comprised of the following files:
gamside.exe the IDE

gamside.chm the help file
During installation, a few additional files and directories are created in the windows directory.
gamside.ini system settings

gamsdir initial project directory
gamsdir.gpr initial project file
The installation process also registers the .gpr file extension so you can launch the GAMSIDE by
clicking on a GAMS project file.
If the windows directory is not suitable to store the gamside.ini file, a new location can be specified as
a parameter when executing gamside.exe. The file name gamside.ini is required to be recognized as
the initialization file. A new directory can be specified when creating a windows shortcut to the
executable.
For example: when the executable is located in the directory \\server\gams, and the initialization is
located in c:\Local Users, the Target in shortcut can be specified as:
\\server\gams\gamside.exe "c:\Local Users\gamside.ini"
4.1 Known Problems
Floppy Disk Drive Spins 36
Error Opening a File 36
4.1.1 Floppy Disk Drive Spins

Floppy disk drive spins when starting a solver
This has been observed when a virus checking program is active. Try to add the GAMS system
directory to the list of directories to be ignored by the virus checker, or disable the virus checker when
running the GAMS IDE.
4.1.2 Error Opening a File

Some users are getting an error trying to read a large file into the GAMS IDE.
The message reads something like: 'value must be between 0 and 65538'
The problem is most likely caused by an old DLL. To verify the version of the DLL causing the
problem, use explorer, and select the file: Windows\System\comctl32.dll
Right mouse click,
select Properties,

Installation Notes 37
select Version.
If the version indicates 4.0, then the outdated version of the DLL is causing the problem.
The DLL cannot be replaced while Windows is running! To replace the DLL, the user needs to obtain
a later version (version 4.70 and later works correctly)
1. Put the new version of comctl32.dll on a floppy disk

2. On the Start menu, select Shutdown
3. Select Restart computer in MSDOS mode
4. Copy the file from the floppy disk to the Windows\System directory
5. Reboot the computer

38 GAMS IDE
Index File + Previous 15

File Compile 14
file extensions 26, 29
File Menu 14
-C- File Open in New Window

fonts 26
17
Command prompt 31
Contact Information 6
Contents 6
-G-
GAMS documentation 6
-D- GAMS Parameters 31

gamside.ini location 36
default solver 30 GDX data browser 32
GDX files 32
default solvers 10
GDXDIFF 25
documentation 6
Guided Tour 8
-E- -I-
Edit | Copy 18
Installation notes 36
Edit | Cut 18
Edit | Find in Files 23
Edit | Find Next 23
Edit | Paste 18
-K-
Edit | Select All 18 Known Problems 36
Edit | Undo 18
Edit | Word Wrap 19
Edit Goto Line 24
-L-
Edit Menu 17 language documentation 6
Edit Window 18 License 30
Editor Keys 19 listing file 10, 28
editor options 26
execute Gams 28
Execute2 29 -M-
Main Form: Buttons and entry fields 31
-F- Match Parenthesis (F8) 24
Mini Explorer 32
File | Close 14 model library 8
File | Exit 15 directory 27
File | Open 16
File | Options 26
File | Print 15 -N-
File | Reopen 17
New 15
File | Run 16
File | Save 16
File | Save All 16
File | Save As 17

Index 39
Window Menu 24
-O-
Open in Model Library 17
output 30
-P-
Print Dialog 33
printing 30
process window 10, 28, 34
Project 15
-R-
Redo 18
run a model 9
-S-
Search / Replace Text 23
Search Menu 22
solver 30
solvers 10
syntax colors 27
enable 26
maximum lines 26
syntax erros 10
-T-
tab stops 26
Tile Vertical 25
-U-
using the mouse 11
Utilities 25
Utilities | GDXDIFF 25
-W-
Window | Arrange All 24
Window | Cascade 25
Window | Tile 25

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Part II Guided Tour 8

Part III Menus and Windows 14

Copyright © 1997-2003 GAMS Development Corporation

Copy / Paste.. &....Delete

Part IV Installation Notes 36

Copyright © 1997-2003 GAMS Development Corporation

This document contains the

Copyright © 1997-2003 GAMS Development Corporation

Guided Tour of the GAMS IDE 8

Menus and Windows 14

1.1 Online Documentation

1.2 Contact Information

Phone: (202) 342-0180

Copyright © 1997-2003 GAMS Development Corporation

Open a model in the model library 8

2.1 Open a model in the model library

2.2 Edit source

Copyright © 1997-2003 GAMS Development Corporation

2.3 Running a model

Copyright © 1997-2003 GAMS Development Corporation

2.4 Selecting Solvers

2.5 Navigating the listing file

2.6 Correcting a syntax error

Copyright © 1997-2003 GAMS Development Corporation

2.7 Using the IDE for existing GAMS models

2.8 Using the mouse

Getting access to the PopUp menu:

Positioning the cursor:

Copyright © 1997-2003 GAMS Development Corporation

Moving text using the mouse:

Copyright © 1997-2003 GAMS Development Corporation

3 Menus and Windows

3.1 File Menu

3.1.1 File | Close

3.1.2 File | Compile

The current file is used for a compile only step

See Gams Parameters 31 for the use of parameters

See also Process Window 34

Copyright © 1997-2003 GAMS Development Corporation

3.1.3 File | Exit

3.1.4 File | New

3.1.5 File | Previous

3.1.6 File | Print

3.1.7 File | Project

In addition, the directory where the project file is located is used:

Copyright © 1997-2003 GAMS Development Corporation

3.1.8 File | Open

3.1.9 File | Run

The file is used for a compile and execute step.

See Gams Parameters 31 for the use of parameters

See also Process Window 34

3.1.10 File | Save

3.1.11 File | Save All

Copyright © 1997-2003 GAMS Development Corporation

3.1.12 File | Reopen

3.1.13 File | Open Model Library

Browse a model library.

3.1.14 File | Save As

3.1.15 File | Open in New Window