DemoTools - program structure

We have spent a long time to identify the most intuitive sequence of steps for running a population projection. Usually, projection programs require the user in a first step to set up all kinds of specification files with projection parameters and to arrange input data into appropriate input files. From our own experience we know that this is often a mind-boggling exercise that ends in frustration, because small specification errors or a little deviation in formatting frequently causes the program to deny execution of a projection.

Our approach is different (see: figure 1). We start with fully functional projections. All you have to do is to load one of our complete sets of projection parameters and input data files (Step 1). They are 100% compatible with the program and lead to results, which are identical (or almost identical) to the 1998 United Nations World Population Prospects. Best of all: you can use these default files to run a projection instantly, without any specification of data input efforts. These default parameter and input data files can be used to run population projections for 188 countries and 30 regions worldwide. Of course, if you wish, you can modify each and every data item according to your own assumptions (Step 2). The big advantage of this approach is that you start with a template, that is fully functional and only modify it, if necessary. This significantly reduces the possibility to make specification and formatting errors. In a third step you can run the projections and study the results (Step 4) in on-screen tables and (animated) charts. If you wish, you can go back immediately to step 2 and run a modified version of your projection. In step 5 you can print detailed output tables.

In other words: our DemoTools projection software is organized into five steps:

Step 1: Load (default) input parameters and data files

Step 2: Modify input parameters and data (if you wish)

Step 3: Run projection

Step 4: View results on-screen in summary tables and (animated) charts

Step 5: Print detailed output tables

You can download a chart of the program's basic structure below:

DemoTool #1: Program Structure (in PDF-Format)