Metis Smart Modeling - Debug

A debugger or debugging tool is included in Metis Smart Modeling. It is used to test and debug Models. The debugger also offer more sophisticated functions such as running a model step by step (single-stepping or program animation), stopping (breaking) (pausing the program to examine the current state) at some event or specified instruction by means of a breakpoint, and tracking the values of some [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Variables|variables]].

The importance of a debugger in Metis Smart Modeling cannot be overstated. Indeed, the existence and quality of such a tool supports precise and technically valid models within the environment. The tool expands over the two main applications in the Metis Environment. This means that a model can be executed in Metis Smart Quotes and afterwards debugged in Metis Smart Modeling.

Use the "Output Values & Watchdogs" list in order to determine at the end of the execution process the values which should be "calculated" through the used models. To solve this type of issues, validate all rules which will generate output and add-ons.

During the execution of a model, the values for [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Variables|variables]] and positions may change based on the rules. This could mean that throughout the execution, such object may receive a value that is not planned or wished. Verify thoroughly all rules which use identical object that see if incoherence may appears during the execution. For example, create temporary [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Variables|variable]] which will only be used during an execution.

Within a model the order of the various groups of rules which are executed is key. Errors may occur if groups are executed in the wrong order. Verify all the processes to be executed within a model to ensure that the order is relevant.

The results of the debugger is dependent on the rights and profiles applicable to the user logged in Metis Smart Quotes. This means that the availability of certain [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Attributes|attributes]], price categories, variants or hierarchies will have a great influence of the calculated results. The cause of such issue may just be that the end-user doesn't have access to part of the objects used in the model.

The main concept within the debug tool included in Metis Smart Modeling is to be able to execute a model within Metis Smart Quotes, observe an issue and to be able to execute the same model with the same input value within Metis Smart Modeling in order to catch possible errors.

| Because the debugger within Metis Smart Modeling uses an execution of a model within Metis Smart Quotes, it is possible to for Metis Smart Quotes users to send to model developers a faulty execution for debugging. This fonctionnality can be activated on a profile basis.

The model has automatically been executed when clicking on the price menu.  

Information about the price category, the models or the rules is displayed. It is possible to see the details about a rule. For example, select the rule “Configure basic hardware based on CPU choice (low).”

In the second table below, the first tab “Output Values and Watchdogs,” lists all output [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Variables|variables]] and positions used by the models.  

The user can also set a “watchdog” to a position or a [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Variables|variable]]. A “watchdog” can be considered as a breakpoint. When executing the model using the “Start” and “Next Break point” buttons, the process continues until the “watchdog” position or [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Variables|variable]] is encountered.

Click on the “Start” button to execute the model. Click on the next button to execute the rules of the model, step by step.  

Clicking on the “Stop” button stops the model execution and the values disappear.

| Using Metis Smart Quotes to test a full model, importing the environment in Metis Smart Modeling and running the step-by-step execution on the it.

The debugger tool included in Metis Smart Modeling allows to set breakpoints throughout the execution of an imported Metis Smart Quotes environment. Those breakpoints can be used to stop a step-by-step execution at a specific place or time of the offer. For example at the beginning of one of the [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Systems|systems]] included in the offer or when a specific [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Variables|variable]] changes value. This can be very useful to pinpoint a problem in a model based on certain values.

In the Metis Smart Modeling debugger window, the top table shows the complete content of the imported environment (Offer, [[Metis_Smart_Modeling_-_Systems|system]] and applications, models used, group of rules and rules which are executed). Each line listed in the table represents one of the steps of the execution process. Break-point can be set of any of those lines simply by clicking once the leftmost "grayed" column of the table. this add a small red dot to the line showing the user that the step-by-step will stop before executing this line in the process.