STEM 7.5 is installed by default in C:\Program Files (x86)\Implied Logic\STEM, whereas historically it was installed in C:\STEM. The main rationale for this change is to reduce the scope for conflict with organisational IT policies – some companies configure their computers such that you are not allowed to install anything directly in the top level of the C:\ drive.
As you only have certain permissions within the Program Files (x86) folder, the example models supplied with STEM and the default.cnf default configuration file are now installed separately in the Documents folder – STEM will look for them automatically in the appropriate Documents folder instead of in the STEM installation folder. In practice, you are unlikely to notice any difference.
Together with these changes to where the software is installed, we have also made changes to where the software stores some of its files. The STEM.ini options file is already virtualised to a copy in your user profile (C:\Users\<name>\AppData\Implied Logic\STEM) and has been for several versions of STEM. Now, STEM will also save all of its generated files (including .dtm files, results and scenarios) in a sub-folder of AppData by default, leaving in your working folder:
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.dtl, .icp, .smw and .lock files (basic model files)
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.~tl, .~cp and .~mw (backup files)
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.err and .out (layout/config error files).
So, .dtm files, and generated scenario and sensitivity files will now be stored out of the way. This will make it much easier to back up your work without copying myriad and bulky generated files that do not need to be replicated for safekeeping.
STEM 7.5 also automatically does ‘housekeeping’ tasks for you! It will clean up (automatically) any generated files that are more than 4 weeks old. More specifically, when the Editor starts, it now checks the folder in which generated files are stored, and deletes any files older than 4 weeks 0 days from the current date/time.
This feature is configurable:
- Select Generated Files and Cleanup from the main Options menu in the Editor. The Generated Files and Cleanup dialog will open.
The Generated Files and Cleanup dialog
- Typically you might change the default settings for age of files to delete.
- Alternatively, you can uncheck the Automatic Clean-up for Files Older than option so that no files will be deleted automatically. You can choose to press the Manual Clean-up Now button whenever you like to delete generated files older than the value shown. If you actually want to delete absolutely all generated files, then the value must first be set to 0 weeks, 0 days.
It is also possible to change where the generated files are saved:
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Standard User Profile: saved in your user profile (default).
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Inline with Model: files will be saved with the model files, as in STEM 7.4.
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Custom Folder: you can use the Select Custom Folder button to choose a different folder in which to store the generated files.
Overall, these changes should make installing STEM more straightforward and reduce the number of files you need to manage and backup.