{{attachment:ITB_logo.png}}

= TrendTest Software =
The trend validation procedures are described in the Interbull Code of Practice, '''https://wiki.interbull.org/public/CoP_AppendixIII?action=print'''.

<<TableOfContents>>

This software consists of two programs to convert legacy file formats to new formats ('''''ttconvert1/3.py'''''), three programs to perform trend validation by methods 1 - 3  ('''''trendtest1-3.py'''''),  a program to combine the results across methods and prepare a zip file ready for submission to the Interbull Center ('''''ttzip.py'''''), and utility module used by those programs ('''''ibutils.py'''''). The conversion programs will process sets of legacy files (file01x and file04x) ''for all trait groups'' for a single breed and population of evalution and create a single set of files in a trait independent format. The remaining programs will perform the trend validation tests for all traits for one breed and population and then create a zip file with the input and output files, ready for submission to the Interbull Centre.

'''Note:''' In the future, organizations may prefer to prepare the data for the trendtest1-3 programs directly, bypassing the creation of the legacy file formats and the use of the ttconvert1/3.py programs. In this case organizations should also prepare an additional file, called ''bdate_POPBRD'', containing a list of common international IDs between the file 300 and the relative trend data file used together with their birthdates. The format of the file is reported in Appendix IVd.

----
== Installation and testing ==
The programs have been tested under Python 3.9. As a minimum, you will need to have this extra python module installed on your system: !NumPy.<<BR>>
There is a possibility that the software will run also under python 2.7, but that is no longer actively supported.

Download the attached '''[[attachment:trendtest20230705.zip]]''' file.

Create a working directory and unzip the zip file in that directory. Two subdirectories will be created, ''programs'' and ''sample_data''. Typing, for example,

 . `python trendtest1.py --help`

from a command line prompt, from within the ''programs'' directory, should print a brief help message if the installation has been successful.

Some sample data for breed HOL and population ABC are available in the ''sample_data'' directory. The two programs for method 1 can be run from the ''programs'' directory as follows:

{{{
python ttconvert1.py -v -s'.abc' hol abc ../sample_data
python trendtest1.py -v -m hol abc ../sample_data
}}}
In this example data, parameters and output are all in the sample_data directory. Files can be read from other locations and output written to other locations as well. Please see the following sections for further information.

The outputs should match those in the source zip file.

Detailed descriptions of the single programs are given in the following sections.

----

== Control File ==
Shortly after the beginning of each test run Interbull Centre will send a control file, called ''file305_POPBRD'', to every organization that will have to provide validation results for a given population and trait, either because they are testing significant changes in their model or they are participating for the first time or because their last validation was conducted more than two years ago. The format of the file is available in APPENDIX I, and an example is presented below:

{{{
#grp trt evaldate  herit     siresd gm x mh md byr1 miny maxy corr preval chg
uder scs 20130630 0.2240    0.38579 B- N 10 20 1981 1999 2003 0.99 09-may N
work msp 20130719 0.0890   26.23801 B+ N 10 20 1981 1999 2003 0.99 ------ Y
}}}
=== Usage notes ===
The ''siresd'' contained in the file is the MACE sire standard deviation as calculated in the current test run evaluation. <<BR>> The fields ''preval'' and ''chg'' together give information of why validation is required:

 * ''preval'' is set and ''chg'' is N     = validation required as it has been more than two years since last evaluation (date shown in ''preval'' field)
 * ''preval'' is not set and ''chg'' is Y = validation required as significant changes are tested in the model or the population is participating for the first time.

----
== Validation Method I ==
'''Definition:''' Comparison of genetic trends estimated using only first lactation versus all lactations in the routine national genetic evaluations.

Validation method I is taken care by the program ''trendtest1.py. ''The program reads in four files: File305_POPBRD (a control file sent by ITBC, see above) File300_POPBRD (alias file01x, see APPENDIX IIa), file300FL_POPBRD (a new file following the same format as file300 but pertaining to first lactation only, see APPENDIX IIa) and bdate_POPBRD,  containing a list of common international IDs between the file 300 and  the relative trend data file used together with their birthdates. The file bdate_POPBRD is automatically created when using the ttconvert programs. If ttconvert programs are no longer used by the user than such file needs to be manually created by the user. The  format of the file is reported in Appendix IVd. In order to make the file format transition as smooth as possible, the program ''ttconvert1.py'' will take care of converting the legacy files format 01x into the new file format 300_POPBRD.

=== TTCONVERT1.PY ===
The program is located in the ''programs'' directory. Typing

 . '''python ttconvert1.py --help'''

will give you a small summary of the program usage:

{{{
usage: ttconvert1.py [-h] [-v] [-s SUFFIX] [-e ENCODING] [-o OUTDIR]
                     brd pop datadir

positional arguments:
  brd                   evaluation breed code (BSW/GUE/JER/HOL/RDC/SIM)
  pop                   population code (same as country code except for
                        CHR/DEA/DFS/FRR/FRM)
  datadir               absolute or relative path to data files

optional arguments:
  -h, --help            show this help message and exit
  -v, --verbose         increase output verbosity
  -s SUFFIX, --suffix SUFFIX
                        suffix to add to all input file names, eg. ".usa" if
                        file names are like file010.usa (default=none)
  -e ENCODING, --encoding ENCODING
                        input file encoding (default=utf-8; try also
                        iso-8859-1 or other values listed at
                        http://docs.python.org/2/library/codecs.html#standard-
                        encodings)
  -o OUTDIR, --outdir OUTDIR
                        directory for output files (default=DATADIR)
}}}
==== Warning ====
 * INPUT FILE NAME: the input files must be named file01x.cou (for all lactations) and file01xFL.cou (for first lactation), for example: file010.can and file010FL.can, any other names will make the program to crash.
 * ENCODING: the files are expected to be in utf-8
 * OLD FILE FORMAT: the file format for the file01x.cou and file01xFL.cou needs to follow exactly the format reported in our webpage http://www.interbull.org/ib/servicedocumentation
 * trait code must be in lower case

==== How to run the program ====
Go to the ''programs'' directory and type:

 . python ttconvert1.py -v -s'.abc' hol abc ../testing/abc1401

In this example

 * s'.abc' = the suffix of the population 'abc' is added to input files
 * breed of evaluation is HOL
 * population is ABC
 * input/output files are located in directory ../testing/abc1401

=== TRENDTEST1.PY ===
Typing

 . '''python trendtest1.py --help'''

within the ''programs'' directory will give you a small summary of the program usage:

{{{
usage: trendtest1.py [-h] [-v] [-c CONTROLFILE] [-m] [-M MERGEDIR]
                     brd pop datadir
positional arguments:
  brd                   evaluation breed code (BSW/GUE/JER/HOL/RDC/SIM)
  pop                   population code (same as country code except for
                        CHR/DEA/DFS/FRR/FRM)
  datadir               absolute or relative path to data files
optional arguments:
  -h, --help            show this help message and exit
  -v, --verbose         increase output verbosity
  -c CONTROLFILE, --controlfile CONTROLFILE
                        path/name of the control file
                        (default=DATADIR/file305_POPBRD)
  -m, --mergefiles      write merged data files (for independent data checks)
  -M MERGEDIR, --mergedir MERGEDIR
                        absolute or relative path for merged data files
                        (default=DATADIR/merged1)
}}}
==== Trendtest1 - How to run the program ====
Go to the ''programs'' directory and type:

 . python trendtest1.py -v -m hol abc ../testing/abc1401

In this example

 * m is the option to have a merged file written out
 * breed of evaluation is HOL
 * population is ABC
 * input/output files are located in directory ../testing/abc1401

'''Output files'''

The following files are written to the DATADIR or OUTDIR, if specified. All files have a  _POPBRD suffix, so that multiple sets of output files for different breeds or population can co-exist in the same directory.

 * '''tt1_POPBRD.log''': a log containing all information on the parameters and statistical analisys performed (see Trendtest1 - Log and Result File)
 * '''file311_POPBRD:'''  summarizing the trend test results for method I (see Trendtest1 - Log and Result File)

==== Trendtest1 - Editings ====
The program will read the four input files, file305_POPBRD, file300_POPBRD, file300FL_POPBRD and bdate_POPBRD, and apply some editings on the data such as only the following bulls will be selected for the test:

 * All bulls reported in the file300FL_POPBRD must have an entry in the file300_POPBRD
 * Bulls with birth year equal or higher than the ''byr1'' specified in the file305_POPBRD
 * Bulls with type of proof equal to 11 or 12 and status of bulls not equal 20
 * Bulls with number of herd equal of higher than minimum number of herd in file305_POPBRD (in both file300_POPBRD and file300FL_POPBRD)
 * Bulls with number of daughters and EDC equal or higher than minimum number of daughters in file305_POPBRD (in both file300_POPBRD and file300FL_POPBRD)

A merged file is created, called  ''trt.csv ''(mil.csv for example), and placed under the ''DATADIR/merged1 ''directory, if not otherwise specified. The file can be used if you would like to do further investigation, the format of the file is available in APPENDIX III.

==== Trendtest1 - Statistical test ====
The statistical test for method I would be calculated as:

 . {{{
model T: EBVT= b0 + b2*BYEAR + e (all lactations)
}}}
 . {{{
model 1: EBV1= b0 + b1*BYEAR + e (first lactation)
}}}

The criteria for passing the test will then be equal to:

 . {{{
[abs(bT-b1)/sdg] < 0,02 (if BV are used, otherwise 0,01).
}}}

==== Trendtest1 - Log and Result File ====
A logfile is created, called ''tt1_POPBRD.log, ''and placed under ''DATADIR, ''if not otherwise specified. The file presents a summary of the information taken in consideration for all the traits analysed, such as

 * birthyear, minimum number of daughters, herds, genetic merit and MACE standard deviation used
 * Total number of records read from the file300_POPBRD and file300FL_POPBRD
 * summary of statistics for each of the trait analysed
 * Results on the regression on year of birth for first and all lactations
 * warning messages
 * method I final result.

A result file, called ''file311_POPBRD'', will be created in the ''DATADIR, ''if not otherwise specified. The file contains an overall summary of the traits analysed, the settings used and the final outcome of the validation, an example is presented below:

{{{
rec brd pop tgrp trt testdate pass testval      SDg bv    b_ALL    b_1ST bulls   stdALL   std1ST x byr1 mh md warnings
311 HOL ABC prod mil 20131024 FAIL   0.021  434.925 BV   48.409   39.246  5569  490.928  539.577 N 1986 10 20 LACT1_SCALE_WARNING
}}}
A detailed description of the format for file311_POPBRD is available in APPENDIX IVa

----
== Validation Method II ==
'''Definition:''' Analysis of within bull yearly Daughter Deviations (e.g. Daughter Yield Deviations, DYD), hereafter referred to as DD

Validation method II is taken care by the program ''trendtest2.py.'' The  program reads in four files: File305_POPBRD (a control file sent by  ITBC, see above section ''Control File''), File300_POPBRD (alias file01x, see APPENDIX IIa) , file302_POPBRD (a new file format for submission of  DD records, see APPENDIX IIb) and bdate_POPBRD,  containing a list of common international IDs between the file 300 and  the relative trend data file used together with their birthdates, such  file needs to be manually created by the user. The  format of the file is reported in Appendix IVd.

=== TRENDTEST2.PY ===
'''Warning'''

 * ENCODING: the files are expected to be in utf-8
 * trait code must be in lower case

Typing

 . '''python trendtest2.py --help'''

within the ''programs'' directory will give you a small summary of the program usage:

{{{
usage: trendtest2.py [-h] [-v] [-c CONTROLFILE] [-m] [-M MERGEDIR]
                     brd pop datadir

positional arguments:
  brd                   evaluation breed code (BSW/GUE/JER/HOL/RDC/SIM)
  pop                   population code (same as country code except for
                        CHR/DEA/DFS/FRR/FRM)
  datadir               absolute or relative path to data files

optional arguments:
  -h, --help            show this help message and exit
  -v, --verbose         increase output verbosity
  -c CONTROLFILE, --controlfile CONTROLFILE
                        path/name of the control file
                        (default=DATADIR/file305_POPBRD)
  -m, --mergefiles      write merged data files (for independent data checks)
  -M MERGEDIR, --mergedir MERGEDIR
                        absolute or relative path for merged data files
                        (default=DATADIR/merged2)
}}}
==== Trendtest2 - How to run the program ====
Go to the ''programs'' directory and type:

 . python trendtest2.py -v -m hol abc ../testing/abc1401

In this example

 * m is the option to have a merged file written out
 * breed of evaluation is HOL
 * population is ABC
 * input/output files are located in directory ../testing/abc1401

'''Output files'''

The  following files are written to the DATADIR or OUTDIR, if specified. All  files have a  _POPBRD suffix, so that multiple sets of output files for  different breeds or population can co-exist in the same directory.

 * '''tt2_POPBRD.log''': a log containing all information on the parameters and statistical analysis performed (see Trendtest2 - Log and Result File)
 * '''file312_POPBRD:'''  summarizing the trend test results for method II (see Trendtest2 - Log and Result File)

==== Trendtest2 - Editings ====
The  program will read the four input files, file305_POPBRD, file300_POPBRD, file302_POPBRD and bdate_POPBRD, and apply some editings on the data such as only the  following bulls will be selected for the test:

 * All bulls reported in the file302_POPBRD must have an entry in the file300_POPBRD
 * Bulls with birth year equal or higher than the ''byr1'' specified in the file305_POPBRD
 * Bulls with type of proof equal to 11 or 12 and status of bulls not equal 20
 * Bulls with number of herd equal or higher than minimum number of herd in file305_POPBRD (in both file300_POPBRD and file302_POPBRD)
 * Bulls  with number of daughters equal or higher than minimun number of  daughters in file305_POPBRD (in both file300_POPBRD and file302_POPBRD)
 * Inclusion of first year record only if number of daughters is equal or higher than 10.
 * Bulls with daughters in more than just one qualifying year.

A merged file is created, called  ''trt.csv ''(mil.csv for example), and placed under the ''DATADIR/merged2 ''directory,  if not otherwise specified. The file can be used if you would like to  do further investigation, the format of the file is available in  APPENDIX III.

==== Trendtest2 - Statistical test ====
The statistical test for method II would be calculated as:

 . {{{
yij=BULLi+b*j+eij
}}}

The criteria for passing the test will then be equal to:

 . {{{
[abs(b) / sdg] < 0,01
}}}

==== Trendtest2 - Log and Result File ====
A logfile is created, called ''tt2_POPBRD.log, ''and placed under ''DATADIR, ''if  not otherwise specified. The file presents a summary of the information  taken in consideration for all the traits analysed, such as

 * birthyear, minimum number of daughters, herds, genetic merit and MACE genetic standard deviation used
 * Total number of records read from the file300''_POPBRD'' and file302''_POPBRD''
 * Warning messages
 * Summary of statistics for each of the trait analysed
 * Estimate of b from model yij=BULLi+b*j+eij
 * Method II final result.

A result file, called ''file312_POPBRD'', will be created in the ''DATADIR, ''if  not otherwise specified. The file contains an overall summary of the  traits analysed, the settings used and the final outcome of the  validation, an example is presented below:

{{{
rec brd pop tgrp trt testdate pass testval       b      SDg bv bulls   std_DD x byr1 mh md warnings
312 HOL ABC prod fat 20131017 PASS   0.009   0.185   21.496 BV   153   19.186 N 1986 10 20 none
}}}
A detailed description of the format for file311_POPBRD is available in APPENDIX IVb

----
== Validation Method III ==
'''Definition:''' Analysis of official national predicted genetic merit variation across evaluation runs.

Validation method III is taken care by the program ''trendtest3.py. ''The  program reads in four files: File305_POPBRD (a control file sent by  ITBC, see above section ''Control File''), File300_POPBRD (alias file01x, see APPENDIX IIa) , file303_POPBRD (alias file04x, see APPENDIX IIc) and bdate_POPBRD,  containing a list of common international IDs between the file 300 and  the relative trend data file used together with their birthdates. The  file bdate_POPBRD is automatically created when using the ttconvert  programs. If ttconvert programs are no longer used by the user than such  file needs to be manually created by the user. The  format of the file is reported in Appendix IVd. In order to make  the file format transition as smooth as possible, the program ''ttconvert3.py'' will take care to convert the legacy files format 01x and file04x into the new file formats 300_POPBRD and 303_POPBRD.

=== TTCONVERT3.PY ===
The program is located in the ''programs'' directory. Typing

 . '''python ttconvert3.py --help'''

will give you a small summary of the program usage:

{{{
usage: ttconvert3.py [-h] [-v] [-s SUFFIX] [-e ENCODING] [-o OUTDIR]
                     brd pop datadir

positional arguments:
  brd                   evaluation breed code (BSW/GUE/JER/HOL/RDC/SIM)
  pop                   population code (same as country code except for
                        CHR/DEA/DFS/FRR/FRM)
  datadir               absolute or relative path to data files

optional arguments:
  -h, --help            show this help message and exit
  -v, --verbose         increase output verbosity
  -s SUFFIX, --suffix SUFFIX
                        suffix to add to all input file names, eg. ".usa" if
                        file names are like fileC010f.usa (default=none)
  -e ENCODING, --encoding ENCODING
                        input file encoding (default=utf-8; try also
                        iso-8859-1 or other values listed at
                        http://docs.python.org/2/library/codecs.html#standard-
                        encodings)
  -o OUTDIR, --outdir OUTDIR
                        directory for output files (default=DATADIR)
}}}
==== Warning ====
 * INPUT  FILE NAME: the input files must be named file01x.cou (for proofs file) and file04x.cou (for validation file), for example:  file010.can and file040.can, any other names will make the program to  crash.
 * ENCODING: the files are expected to be in utf-8
 * OLD  FILE FORMAT: the file format for the file01x.cou and file04x.cou  needs to follow exactly the format reported in our webpage http://www.interbull.org/ib/servicedocumentation
 * trait code must be in lower case

==== How to run the program ====
Go to the ''programs'' directory and type:

 . python ttconvert3.py -v -s'.abc' hol abc ../testing/abc1401

In this example

 * s'.abc' = the suffix of the population 'abc' is added to input files
 * breed of evaluation is HOL
 * population is ABC
 * input/output files are located in directory ../testing/abc1401

=== TRENDTEST3.PY ===
Typing

 . '''python trendtest3.py --help'''

within the ''programs'' directory will give you a small summary of the program usage:

{{{
usage: trendtest3.py [-h] [-v] [-s SAMPLES] [-c CONTROLFILE] [-m]
                     [-M MERGEDIR]
                     brd pop datadir

positional arguments:
  brd                   evaluation breed code (BSW/GUE/JER/HOL/RDC/SIM)
  pop                   population code (same as country code except for
                        CHR/DEA/DFS/FRR/FRM)
  datadir               absolute or relative path to data files

optional arguments:
  -h, --help            show this help message and exit
  -v, --verbose         increase output verbosity
  -s SAMPLES, --samples SAMPLES
                        number of bootstrap samples (default=1000)
  -c CONTROLFILE, --controlfile CONTROLFILE
                        path/name of the control file
                        (default=DATADIR/file305_POPBRD)
  -m, --mergefiles      write merged data files (for independent data checks)
  -M MERGEDIR, --mergedir MERGEDIR
                        absolute or relative path for merged data files
                        (default=DATADIR/merged3)
}}}
==== Trendtest3 - How to run the program ====
Go to the ''programs'' directory and type:

 . python trendtest3.py -v -m hol abc ../testing/abc1401

In this example

 * m is the option to have a merged file written out
 * breed of evaluation is HOL
 * population is ABC
 * input/output files are located in directory ../testing/abc1401

'''Output files'''

The  following files are wriiten to the DATADIR or OUTDIR, if specified. All  files have a  _POPBRD suffix, so that multiple sets of output files for  different breeds or population can co-exist in the same directory.

 * '''tt3_POPBRD.log''': a log containing all information on the parameters and statistical analisys performed (see Trendtest3 - Log and Result File)
 * '''file313_POPBRD:'''  summarizing the trend test results for method III (see Trendtest3 - Log and Result File)

==== Trendtest3 - Editings ====
The  program will read the four input files, file305_POPBRD, file300_POPBRD, file303_POPBRD and bdate_POPBRD, and apply some editings on the data such as only the following bulls will be selected for the test:

 * All bulls reported in the file303_POPBRD must have an entry in the file300_POPBRD
 * Bulls with birth year within ''miny'' and ''maxy'' reported in file305_POPBRD
 * Bulls with type of proof equal to 11 and status of bulls not equal 20 (foreign bulls, type of proof = 21, are considered only for very small populations and only if type2x in file305 is set to Y)
 * Bulls  with number of herd equal of higher than minimum number of herd in  file305_POPBRD
 * Bulls  with number of daughters equal or higher than minimum number of  daughters in file305_POPBRD (in both file300_POPBRD and  file303_POPBRD)
 * Bulls with at least 1 daughter added over the four years' period
 * Bulls with number of added daughter consistent with total number of daughters.

A merged file is created, called  ''trt.csv ''(mil.csv for example), and placed under the ''DATADIR/merged3 ''directory,  if not otherwise specified. The file can be used if you would like to  do further investigation, the format of the file is available in  APPENDIX III.

==== Trendtest3 - Statistical test ====
The statistical test for method III would be calculated as:

 . {{{
 y = b0 + b1*x + b2*t +  e
}}}

 . {{{
Regression 95% C.I. for delta (b[2] - 1.96 * bse[2], b[2] + 1.96 * bse[2])
}}}

 . {{{
The default number of bootstrap samples is set to 1000
}}}

The criteria for passing the test will then be equal to:

 . {{{
[abs(b2)/sdg] < 0,02 (if BV are used, otherwise 0,01) or

statistical validation test (95% C.I. contains 0)
}}}

==== Trendtest3 - Log and Result File ====
A logfile is created, called ''tt3_POPBRD.log, ''and placed under ''DATADIR, ''if  not otherwise specified. The file presents a summary of the information  taken in consideration for all the traits analysed, such as

 * minimum and maximum birthyear, minimum number of daughters, herds, genetic merit and MACE standard deviation used
 * Total number of records read from the file300_POPBRD and file303_POPBRD
 * summary of statistics for each of the trait analysed
 * Regression of current EBV (y) on previous EBV (x) and TIME variate (t)
 * warning messages
 * method III final result.

A result file, called ''file313_POPBRD'', will be created in the ''DATADIR, ''if  not otherwise specified. The file contains an overall summary of the  traits analysed, the settings used and the final outcome of the  validation, an example is presented below:

{{{
rec brd pop tgrp trt testdate pass delta lower   upper stat testval biol      SDg  bv bulls    std_y    std_x x yyyy miny maxy  herit corr mh md nsamp warnings
313 HOL ABC conf sta 20131023 PASS 0.013 -0.001  0.027 PASS  0.023  FAIL     0.564 BV   581    0.463    0.328 N 2009 1991 1999 0.3700 0.86 10 20  1000
}}}
A detailed description of the format for file311_POPBRD is available in APPENDIX IVc

----
== Sending Results Back to Interbull Centre ==
Once you have finished running the validation for all populations and traits you needed, using one or all validation methods, results need to be summarized and send back to the Centre. A program called ''ttzip.py'' will take care of that for you.

=== TTZIP.PY ===
Typing

 . '''python ttzip.py --help'''

within the ''programs'' directory will give you a small summary of the program usage:

{{{
usage: ttzip.py [-h] [-C] brd pop datadir

positional arguments:
  brd            evaluation breed code (BSW/GUE/JER/HOL/RDC/SIM)
  pop            population code (same as country code except for
                 CHR/DEA/DFS/FRR/FRM)
  datadir        absolute or relative path to data files

optional arguments:
  -h, --help     show this help message and exit
  -C, --cleanup  delete all files successfully added to the zip file
}}}
==== ttzip.py - How to run the program ====
Go to the ''programs'' directory and type:

 . python ttzip.py hol abc ../testing/abc1401

In this example

 * breed of evaluation is HOL
 * population is ABC
 * input/output files are located in directory ../testing/abc1401

'''Output file''' <<BR>> The program will create a zip file called ttYYMM_POPBRD.zip (for example tt1310_ABCHOL.zip) containing the results for all validation methods for all populations available in DATADIR or OUTDIR, if specified.  Please email the zip file ''ttYYMM_POPBRD.zip'' to Interbull Centre ( valentina.palucci@slu.se )

----
= APPENDIX I =
<<Include(public/File305)>>

----
= APPENDIX IIa =
<<Include(public/File300)>>

----

= APPENDIX IIb =
<<Include(public/File302)>>

----

= APPENDIX IIc =
<<Include(public/File303)>>

----

= APPENDIX III =
<<Include(public/trendtest_merged_files)>>

----
= APPENDIX IVa =
<<Include(public/File311)>>

----
= APPENDIX IVb =
<<Include(public/File312)>>

----
= APPENDIX IVc =
<<Include(public/File313)>>

----

= APPENDIX IVd =
<<Include(public/trend_test_bdate_POPBRD)>>

----
= Frequently Asked Questions =
'''Q. What do I do if my default version of Python is too old?'''

'''A.''' Typing "python --version" at the command line prompt will show the version of the default Python interpreter on your system. If this is <2.6 or 3.0 or 3.1, you need to make sure Python version 2.6, 2.7 or >=3.2 is also installed on your system and then, for all the examples in this documentation, you need to substitute "python" with the complete path to the more recent Python version. For example, on Windows this might be "C:\Python3.3\bin\python3.3" and on linux it might be something like "/usr/local/bin/python3.3".

'''Q. I normally only submit results from validation method II, is there a converting file format I can use for my file01x?'''

'''A.''' If you wish to convert your file01x for applying validation method II you can use the program ttconvert1.py. The program requires as input file a file01xFL.cou: simply make a copy of your file01x.cou, name it file01xFL.cou and run the program. You can then ignore the converted File300FL_POPBRD.

'''Q. I run the ttconvert programs but no output are created'''

'''A.''' Be sure that the input files' names are correct. The following are the file names recognized by the ttconvert programs:

 * file01x.cou
 * file01xFL.cou
 * file04x.cou

Also double check that the input files' formats is exactly as defined in our webpage http://www.interbull.org/ib/servicedocumentation

'''Q. I got the message: "warning: no DD records found" when running trendtest2.py, and no results are produced'''

'''A.''' This warning normally means that the file302 contains different POP BRD TRT then what specified in the file305. The warning may also occur if POP BRD and/or TRT are written in the file using a wrong case: POP and BRD must be upper case while TRT must be lower case.