topic Re: JSL: What to use for new columns, Formula or Set Each Value? Pros and Cons? in Discussions

JSL: What to use for new columns, Formula or Set Each Value? Pros and Cons?

ram — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 23:25:26 GMT

Hi All,

Can anyone highlight what are the differences between using "Formula" and "Set Each Value"? What are the pros and cons?

Re: JSL: What to use for new columns, Formula or Set Each Value? Pros and Cons?

uday_guntupalli — Wed, 12 Sep 2018 20:29:32 GMT

@ram,
If you use the test script I put together below, you will be able to realize starting at a = 6, that set each value is more efficient .

a = 7; // Varied from 2 to 7 

dt = New Table(); 

dt << Begin Data Update; 
 
dt << Add Rows(10^a);

t1 = Tick Seconds(); 

dt << New Column("Test",Numeric,Continuous,Formula(5));

t2 = Tick Seconds();  

dt << End Data Update; 

Print(t2-t1);

t3 = Tick Seconds(); 

dt << New Column("Test",Numeric,Continuous,<< Set Each Value(a));

t4 = Tick Seconds(); 

Print(t4-t3);

However, it is important to note that Set Each Value can only achieve one objective unlike Formula which is much more versatile. So I don't know the exact objective of performing this comparison, but this is one way to look at it

Re: JSL: What to use for new columns, Formula or Set Each Value? Pros and Cons?

ram — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 13:01:14 GMT

I was basically looking for functionality comparison between set each value vs formula function

Re: JSL: What to use for new columns, Formula or Set Each Value? Pros and Cons?

txnelson — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 13:21:07 GMT

Set Each Value places the value specified into each cell for the column it is pointed at.

The Formula element is a dynamic element, that allows for the specifying of a script of any complexity desired. Additionally, a formula will be rerun anytime that components within the provided script(column values) are changed.

Re: JSL: What to use for new columns, Formula or Set Each Value? Pros and Cons?

ram — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 14:16:06 GMT

but if you delete formula property, then based on your statement both should be same. but i guess there are more intrinsic differences.

Re: JSL: What to use for new columns, Formula or Set Each Value? Pros and Cons?

Mark_Bailey — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 13:34:05 GMT

I concur with Jim.

As an interactive JMP user, my only way to compute values when making a new column is to use a formula. As a scripter, I have a choice between using a formula or using myriad other means of populating the new column. I never use a formula in a script unless the values must update due to dependencies that might change after the script has run.

The decision is as simple as that IMO. But I would never tell someone else to follow my way.