APISynthesisResourcesTutorial

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Synthesis Resources Tutorial

  1. Connecting to a Synthesis Repository and Project
  2. Creating a New Synthesis Resource
  3. Updating an Existing Resource
  4. Calculating Results from Models

Synthesis Data Warehouse (SDW) Tutorial

This four-part tutorial introduces you to the basic functionalities of the Synthesis API. You will learn how to use the API to connect to a Synthesis repository, create a new resource, update an existing resource and obtain calculated results from a model.



The Synthesis Platform uses repositories to store projects and analysis data. Projects, in turn, hold resources that contain various types of information that can be shared between analyses. Therefore, to create or update a resource in a Synthesis repository, we must begin by first connecting to the repository and then accessing the project that holds that resource.

Part 1: Connecting to a Synthesis Repository and Project

1. We'll start with the Repository class, which provides several methods for connecting to standard or enterprise repositories. In this example, we will use the basic ConnectToRepository method to create a simple application.

Create a new module and start with the following basic code for connecting to a standard Synthesis repository. 

VBA|VB.NET

 'Declare a new instance of the Repository class. 
  Dim MyRepository As New Repository

 'Specify the full path to the Synthesis repository. 
 'The following code assumes that a standard repository called "RSRepository1.rsr10" exists in the C drive. 
  MyRepository.ConnectToRepository("C:\RSRepository1.rsr10")

2. Next, use the Project.SetCurrentProject method to specify the current (or active) project by using the project's ID number. In this example, we'll first use the Project.GetAllProjects method to get an array of all projects in the repository, and then use the ID number of the first project in the array to set it as the current project. 

VBA|VB.NET

 'Declare a new instance of the NameIdPair class. 
  Dim ListofProjects() As NameIdPair

 'Get a list of all projects in the repository. 
  ListOfProjects = MyRepository.Project.GetAllProjects()

 'Set the first available project as the current project. 
  MyRepository.Project.SetCurrentProject(ListofProjects(0).ID)

 'Display the name and ID number of the current project. 
  Dim ProjectName As String
  Dim ProjectID As Integer
 
  ProjectName = MyRepository.Project.GetCurrentProject().Name
  ProjectID = MyRepository.Project.GetCurrentProject().ID
  MsgBox ("You are currently connected to: " & ProjectName & ", ID#" & ProjectID)

Any time you wish to switch to another project in the repository, you can always use the Project.SetCurrentProject method to specify a new active project.

However, if you wish to access projects from another repository, you’ll first need to disconnect from the current repository by using the DisconnectFromRepository method, and then use the ConnectToRepository method again to connect to the desired repository. 

VBA|VB.NET

 'Disconnect from the Synthesis repository. 
  MyRepository.DisconnectFromRepository

Verify It Works

Let’s verify that our connections to the repository and project work.

Below is the code list for this example. On the Debug menu, click Start to run the application. A message box displays the name and ID number of the current project in the repository. 

VBA|VB.NET
 
Sub Main()

 'Declare a new instance of the Repository class. 
  Dim MyRepository As New Repository
 
 'Specify the full path to the Synthesis repository. 
 'The following code assumes that a standard repository called "RSRepository1.rsr10" exists in the C drive. 
  MyRepository.ConnectToRepository("C:\RSRepository1.rsr10")

 'Declare a new instance of the NameIdPair class. 
  Dim ListofProjects() As NameIdPair

 'Get a list of all projects in the repository. 
  ListOfProjects = MyRepository.Project.GetAllProjects()

 'Set the first available project as the current project. 
  MyRepository.Project.SetCurrentProject(ListofProjects(0).ID)

 'Display the name and ID number of the current project. 
  Dim ProjectName As String
  Dim ProjectID As Integer 

  ProjectName = MyRepository.Project.GetCurrentProject().Name
  ProjectID = MyRepository.Project.GetCurrentProject().ID
  MsgBox ("You are currently connected to: " & ProjectName & ", ID#" & ProjectID)

 'Disconnect from the Synthesis repository. 
  MyRepository.DisconnectFromRepository

End Sub

Reference Links


Part 2: Creating a New Synthesis Resource

Now that we've learned how to connect to a repository and a project, let’s try adding a new model resource to the repository.

1. Create a new module and begin again by connecting to the Synthesis repository and project. 

VBA|VB.NET

 'Connect to the Synthesis repository and set project ID#1 as the current project. 
  Dim MyRepository As New Repository
  MyRepository.ConnectToRepository("C:\RSRepository1.rsr10")
  MyRepository.Project.SetCurrentProject(1)

2. Use the cModel class to create a 2-parameter Weibull reliability model with beta 1 and eta 100. Name the model, "MyNewModel."

For VBA, use the SetModel method to define the model. For VB.NET, use the parameterized constructor to create and define the model. 

VBA 

 'Declare a new instance of the cModel class. 
  Dim Amodel As New cModel

 'Define the model's properties. 
  Dim ModelType As ModelTypeEnum
  Dim ModelCategory As ModelCategoryEnum
  Dim ModelName As String
  Dim ModelParams(1) As Double

  ModelType = ModelTypeEnum_Weibull2
  ModelCategory = ModelCategoryEnum_Reliability
  ModelName = "MyNewModel"
  ModelParams(0) = 1
  ModelParams(1) = 100

  Call AModel.SetModel(ModelType, ModelCategory, ModelName, ModelParams)

VB.NET

 'Declare a new instance of the cModel class. You can use an in-line parameter list to define the model. 
  Dim AModel As New cModel(ModelTypeEnum.Weibull2, ModelCategoryEnum.Reliability, "MyNewModel", 1, 100)

3. Use the AddModel method to save the new model to the repository. 

VBA

 'Add the new model to the current project. 
  Call MyRepository.Model.AddModel(AModel)

VB.NET

 'Add the new model to the current project. 
  MyRepository.Model.AddModel(AModel)

Verify It Works

Below are the VBA and VB.NET code lists for this example. On the Debug menu, click Start to run the application. Then in the Synthesis repository, open the project’s Resource Manager (Project > Synthesis> Resource Manager) and then select the Models page. A model named "MyNewModel" should be on the list. (You may need to click the Refresh or Show All command to update the display.) 

VBA

Sub Main()
  
 'Connect to the Synthesis repository and set project ID#1 as the current project. 
  Dim MyRepository As New Repository
  MyRepository.ConnectToRepository("C:\RSRepository1.rsr10")
  MyRepository.Project.SetCurrentProject(1)

 'Declare a new instance of the cModel class. 
  Dim Amodel As New cModel

 'Define the model's properties. 
  Dim ModelType As ModelTypeEnum
  Dim ModelCategory As ModelCategoryEnum
  Dim ModelName As String
  Dim ModelParams(1) As Double

  ModelType = ModelTypeEnum_Weibull2
  ModelCategory = ModelCategoryEnum_Reliability
  ModelName = "MyNewModel"
  ModelParams(0) = 1
  ModelParams(1) = 100

  Call AModel.SetModel(ModelType, ModelCategory, ModelName, ModelParams)

 'Add the new model to the current project. 
  Call MyRepository.Model.AddModel(AModel)

End Sub

VB.NET

Sub Main()
 
 'Connect to the Synthesis repository and set the first available project in the repository as the active project. 
  Dim MyRepository As New Repository
  MyRepository.ConnectToRepository("C:\RSRepository1.rsr10")
  MyRepository.Project.SetCurrentProject(1)

 'Declare a new instance of the cModel class. You can use an in-line parameter list to define the model. 
  Dim AModel As New cModel(ModelTypeEnum.Weibull2, ModelCategoryEnum.Reliability, "MyNewModel", 1, 100)

 'Add the new model to the current project. 
  MyRepository.Model.AddModel(AModel)

End Sub

Reference Links

Part 3: Updating an Existing Resource

In this section, we'll update the properties of the model we've created in the previous section and also update its definition.

1. Create a new module and add code to connect to the Synthesis repository and project. 

VBA|VB.NET

 'Connect to the Synthesis repository and set project ID#1 as the current project. 
  Dim MyRepository As New Repository
  MyRepository.ConnectToRepository("C:\RSRepository1.rsr10")
  MyRepository.Project.SetCurrentProject(1)

2. Next, use GetModel method to the retrieve the model (called "MyNewModel") from the repository. The following code assumes that the model's ID number is 21. 

VBA

 'Retrieve the model with ID# 21 from the repository. 
  Dim Amodel As New cModel
  Set AModel = MyRepository.Model.GetModel(21)

VB.NET

 'Retrieve the model with ID# 21 from the repository.  
  Dim Amodel As New cModel
  AModel = MyRepository.Model.GetModel(21)

3. Let's update the model's properties. Use the following code to add a description and part number for the model. 

VBA|VB.NET

  'Add a description and part number for the model. 
  Amodel.ItemDescription = "A specific type of light bulb."
  Amodel.ItemPartNumber = "PN5461"

Now let's update the model's definition by changing it's name to "MyNewModel_Updated" and the values of beta = 2 and eta = 150. Use the SetModel method to define the model. In VB.NET, you can use an in-line parameter list to define the values of the parameters. 

VBA

 'Define a new model name and values for beta and eta. 
  Dim ModelParams(1) As Double     
  ModelParams(0) = 2
  ModelParams(1) = 150
  
  Call AModel.SetModel(ModelTypeEnum_Weibull2, ModelCategoryEnum_Reliability, "MyNewModel_Updated", ModelParams)

VB.NET

 'Define a new model name and values for beta and eta. 
  AModel.SetModel(ModelTypeEnum.Weibull2, ModelCategoryEnum.Reliability, "MyNewModel_Updated", New Double() {2, 150})

4. Use the UpdateModel method to apply the changes to the model. 

VBA

 'Apply the changes to the model. 
  Call MyRepository.Model.UpdateModel(AModel)

VB.NET
 
 'Apply the changes to the model. 
  MyRepository.Model.UpdateModel(AModel)

Verify It Works

Below are the VBA and VB.NET code lists for this example. On the Debug menu, click Start to run the application. Check the project's Resource Manager to verify the results. 

VBA

Sub Main()

 'Connect to the Synthesis repository and set project ID#1 as the current project. 
  Dim MyRepository As New Repository
  MyRepository.ConnectToRepository("C:\RSRepository1.rsr10")
  MyRepository.Project.SetCurrentProject(1)

 'Retrieve the model with ID# 21 from the repository. 
  Dim Amodel As New cModel
  Set AModel = MyRepository.Model.GetModel(21)

  'Add a description and part number for the model. 
  Amodel.ItemDescription = "A specific type of light bulb."
  Amodel.ItemPartNumber = "PN5461"   

 'Define a new model name and values for beta and eta. 
  Dim ModelParams(1) As Double     
  ModelParams(0) = 2
  ModelParams(1) = 150
  
  Call AModel.SetModel(ModelTypeEnum_Weibull2, ModelCategoryEnum_Reliability, "MyNewModel_Updated", ModelParams)
 
 'Apply the changes to the model. 
  Call MyRepository.Model.UpdateModel(AModel)

End Sub

VB.NET

Sub Main()
  
 'Connect to a Synthesis repository and set the first available project in the repository as the active project. 
  Dim MyRepository As New Repository
  MyRepository.ConnectToRepository("C:\RSRepository1.rsr10")
  MyRepository.Project.SetCurrentProject(1)
  
 'Retrieve the model with ID# 21 from the repository.  
  Dim Amodel As New cModel
  AModel = MyRepository.Model.GetModel(21)

  'Add a description and part number for the model. 
  Amodel.ItemDescription = "A specific type of light bulb."
  Amodel.ItemPartNumber = "PN5461"   
  
 'Define a new model name and values for beta and eta. 
  AModel.SetModel(ModelTypeEnum.Weibull2, ModelCategoryEnum.Reliability, "MyNewModel_Updated", New Double() {2, 150})

 'Apply the changes to the model. 
  MyRepository.Model.UpdateModel(AModel)

End Sub

Reference Links

Part 4: Calculating Results from Models

Models are used by other Synthesis resources to represent the reliability of a task, the duration of a task, the expected cost of a repair, and many other characteristics. In this section, we'll learn how to obtain calculated results from models.

1. Create a new module, and then add code to retrieve the model that we've been working on in the last sections (recall that the model's name is now "MyNewModel_Update"). The following code example assumes that the model's ID number is 21. 

VBA|VB.NET

 'Connect to the Synthesis repository and retrieve model ID#21. 
  Dim MyRepository As New Repository
  MyRepository.ConnectToRepository("C:\RSRepository1.rsr10")
  MyRepository.Project.SetCurrentProject(1)

  Dim AModel As cModel
  MyRepository.Model.GetModel(21)

2. Use the Reliability method to calculate for the reliability at 100 hrs and the MeanTime method to return the mean time to failure. 

VBA|VB.NET

 'Calculate the model's reliability at time = 100 hrs and mean time. 
  Dim Result1 As Double
  Dim Result2 As Double

  Result1 = AModel.Reliability(100)
  Result2 = AModel.MeanTime()

 'Display the output. 
  MsgBox ("Reliability = " & Result1 & " Mean Time = " & Result2}})

3. Let's add confidence bounds calculations to the results. Use the SetConfidenceLevel method to specify 90% two-sided confidence bounds. 

VBA|VB.NET

 'Set the confidence level to 90% two-sided bounds. 
 'Declare a string variable for any errors found during this method. 
  Dim ErrorMsg As String
  Call AModel.SetConfidenceLevel(0.9, ConfBoundsSides_TwoSidedBoth, False, ErrorMsg)

 'Initiate new instances of the BoundsValues class. 
  Dim BResult1 As BoundsValues
  Dim BResult2 As BoundsValues

 'Calculate bounds for the reliability at 100 hrs and the mean time.  
  BResult1 = AModel.Bounds_Reliability(100)
  BResult2 = AModel.Bounds_MeanTime()
 
 'Display the results for the upper and lower confidence bounds. 
  MsgBox (" Reliability: Upper bound: " & BResult1.Upper & ", Lower bound: " & BResult1.Lower)
  MsgBox (" Mean Time: Upper bound: " & BResult2.Upper & ", Lower bound: " & BResult2.Lower)

Verify It Works

Below are the VBA and VB.NET code lists for this example. You can experiment with the code by retrieving published models from the repository and then comparing the results obtained by the API from the results obtained by the Quick Calculation Pad (QCP). 

VBA|VB.NET

Sub Main()
  
 'Connect to the Synthesis repository and retrieve model ID#21. 
  Dim MyRepository As New Repository
  MyRepository.ConnectToRepository("C:\RSRepository1.rsr10")
  MyRepository.Project.SetCurrentProject(1)

  Dim AModel As cModel
  MyRepository.Model.GetModel(21)
  
 'Calculate the model's reliability at time = 100 hrs and mean time. 
  Dim Result1 As Double
  Dim Result2 As Double

  Result1 = AModel.Reliability(100)
  Result2 = AModel.MeanTime()

 'Display the output. 
  MsgBox ("Reliability = " & Result1 & " Mean Time = " & Result2}})

 'Set the confidence level to 90% two-sided bounds. 
 'Declare a string variable for any errors found during this method. 
  Dim ErrorMsg As String
  Call AModel.SetConfidenceLevel(0.9, ConfBoundsSides_TwoSidedBoth, False, ErrorMsg)

 'Initiate new instances of the BoundsValues class. 
  Dim BResult1 As BoundsValues
  Dim BResult2 As BoundsValues

 'Calculate bounds for the reliability at 100 hrs and the mean time. 
  BResult1 = AModel.Bounds_Reliability(100)
  BResult2 = AModel.Bounds_MeanTime()
 
 'Display the results for the upper and lower confidence bounds. 
  MsgBox (" Reliability: Upper bound: " & BResult1.Upper & ", Lower bound: " & BResult1.Lower)
  MsgBox (" Mean Time: Upper bound: " & BResult2.Upper & ", Lower bound: " & BResult2.Lower)

End Sub

Reference Links

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