What's new in MULVA-5?
Changing from MULVA-4 to MULVA-5
MULVA-5 replaces the former MULVA-4. The more important improvements in MULVA-5 are:
- Serious limitations have been eliminated, mainly concerning the former data format.
- Data exchange with spread-sheet programs (e.g. EXCEL) is realised.
- Some new methods and operations have been included, such as splitting classified data sets or explicitly access and correlate site factors.
The new data format
The new data format differs from the previous as follows:
- Labels (identification numbers) may be 6 digit numbers (instead of 4 before). A data set may therefore hold 999'999 rows and columns (instead of 9'999).
- The list of codes is no longer limited. It can at least handle 128 ascii characters.
- The site-descriptors have been replaced by site factors. Access to these has been simplified considerably to improve the capability of MULVA to analyse the relationship between vegetation and site factors.
- MULVA-5 offers an import routine for M4 files (IMPORT, opt. 4). In this, the user is requested to define the structure of his site descriptors. MULVA-5 will then recognise site factors (rather than the site descriptor string in MULVA-4).
Hints for operation
Options
The concept of sorting coordinate and resemblance options remains unchanged. But the labelling has been revised. The notation is now as follows:
RNN.n or SNN.n
where R and S refer to relevés and attributes respectively. NN now consistently refers to the number of the routine that has generated the option and n is an additional storage location.
The coordinate sets now hold as many axes as there are groups (instead of 6 as before).
A new device keeps track of a list of data sets generated through a session of MULVA-5. Derived data sets are called "secondary data sets".
Import and Export
A new routine allows the import of Excel text-files (IMPORT, opt. 1). This represents the new standard for import into MULVA. There are export routines available for ordered tables, classifications, ordinations, resemblance matrices and other results. The exported data can be accessed by programs like Excel, Word, StatView, DataDesk and others.
Open
Upon OPEN (previously INIT), you type the name of the MULVA-data set you intend to use. MULVA will then generate a copy of this for internal use (the name "origda" used in MULVA-4 has no more specific meaning).
Applications
Applications now carry titles. Dialogues can be implemented to alter specific parameters upon operation.
Manual
A complete description is now available in book form:
Wildi, O. & L. Orlóci (1996): Numerical Exploration of Community Patterns. A guide to the use of MULVA-5.
2nd edition. SPB Academic Publishing b.v., Amsterdam.
Availability
MULVA-5 is currently released in version 1. We provide
- A freeware Apple Macintosh version for 68030 processors and higher, 4 MB memory and System 7.0 or later. The capacity is 200 rows and columns.
An Apple PPC version requiring at least 16 MB memory. The capacity is 1200 rows and columns.
- A freeware DOS version for 80386+ processor and co-processor or Pentium and 4 MB memory. The capacity is 200 rows and columns.
A DOS version for 80386+ processor and co-processor or Pentium and 8 MB memory. The capacity is 800 rows and columns.
Everything is subject to changes.
6. 12. 95 / O. Wildi
>>> back to Landscape Ecology
>>> back to the WSL Welcome Page