=========================================================================== >>> Release notes for June, 2000 SeaSoft release =========================================================================== The usual caveats about new releases apply: you would be wise to set up a new SeaSoft directory containing this release and save your existing working directories for several months until the new release has had wide exposure and any unanticipated problems that might arise have been resolved. You should copy (not move) any necessary data files into the new release directory so you can retain copies of all data files used in the previous release in their "virgin" state. Don't forget those LOWDAT, USERRAOS and DRFTCOFS files... =========================================================================== >>> Release Highlights =========================================================================== - As of the *previous* release (version 4.07), we are using a single version number that is the same for all applications (except Statmoor). The version number of the present release is 4.14. Note that with this scheme, an application's version number can change without any change in the underlying code for that application. - This is a relatively minor maintenance release with only a few significant enhancements; however it does contain a substantial number of bug fixes and a few new features, documented below. - The FAQ has been significantly expanded and re-organized. Check it out. The current FAQ (in HTML format) is always available at one of SeaSoft's web site mirrors, currently [http://www.seasoft.org/] or [http://www.west.net/~seasoft/]. If you have not checked out the web site, you should take an opportunity to do so. Free access to all simulations is available to anyone who requests an online account. This free access is intended to help us work out the kinks in the internet-based delivery model and will naturally be limited in duration. - A list of major enhancements, modifications and bug fixes follows: =========================================================================== >>> Changes in file naming conventions =========================================================================== In order to maintain harmony across all OS platforms, we have adopted a new naming convention for input and output text files. User-supplied input *text* files, such as USERRAOS and DRFTCOFS now require a "*.txt" suffix. Example: USERRAOS.txt, DRFTCOFS.txt. Program-generated output text files, such as LOWOUT, RANOUT, CATOUT will now be produced with the suffix "*.stxt" (for "SeaSoft text"). Example: LOWOUT.stxt, RANOUT.stxt. Binary input/output file names, such as the input data files SHIPDAT and LOWDAT, and program-generated intermediate files (FAIRMOT, etc.) have not been renamed. Why did we do this? Primarily to allow scripts and other automated processes to easily distinguish input text files from output text files. =========================================================================== >>> Numerous internal modifications to permit "silent running" =========================================================================== As the software is used ever more commonly in a high-volume "batch" configuration, execution speed has once again become an issue. Since the programs spend a great deal of time writing diagnostic text messages to the screen during execution, we have instituted a "silent" mode which bypasses screen i/o in favor of writing the screen diagnostics to a data file "diagnostics.stxt". In some situations, "silent mode" can reduce execution times by up to 50%. It can be activated on the last editor page of each application. =========================================================================== >>> Miscellaneous bug fixes: =========================================================================== - Fixed a bug introduced in v 4.07 which could in some circumstances cause premature simulation termination in Moorsim. - Fixed a bug that in some circumstances could cause an incorrect vessel heading to be displayed in the runtime output stream. - Fix bug in Bessel function routine (Discsim/CALMsim) - Fix a memory conflict bug (Discsim/CALMsim) - Fix bug in duration factor evaluation used for mooring feedback (Discsim/CALMsim) - Fix numerical overflow problems producing NAN outputs for line damping from light elastic lines. - Fix small bug in JONSWAP ALPHA calculation display - Fix uninitialized variable error in CALM-hawser ensemble peak load calculations. - Fix several vessel angle bugs affecting crossed environmental conditions in CALMsim. - Fix a long-standing bug in anchor distance calculations for "down-weather" lines. =========================================================================== >>> Miscellaneous minor updates and enhancements: =========================================================================== - Eliminate editor screens printout option, which was essentially duplicated by the "prepare disk file" option. - Improve convergence of mooring feedback code (Moorsim/CALMsim) - Increase various iteration failure limits in all simulations for consistency with faster processors. - Enhance certain error messages to be more informative. - Clarify buoyant element waterline description toggle in editor - Minor adjustments to maximum l.f. excursion ranges to help eliminate "nlncor" nonlinear correction routine error conditions. - Expand wind and current low-frequency spectral support to three degrees of freedom to bring these into harmony with the treatment of wave-drift forces. - Numerous modifications/additions/corrections/enhancements to online help text. - Numerous modifications/additions/corrections/enhancements to pre-execution consistency tests and warning flags. =========================================================================== >>> Ends June, 2000 release notes ===========================================================================