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Architecture - Frequently Asked Questions
This collection of frequently asked questions (FAQ) provides brief answers to many common questions about our technology Platform. It also provides links to more detailed information available from this web site. Please check here for answers before posting a question to one of the forums or before sending email to the support e-mail addresses.
We have implemented Nelder-Mead Simplex algorithm to support optimization required by several of our functions (e.g. model calibration, Optimal BoxCox Transform, ADF test, etc.). To account for constraints violation, we added a penalty term in the Utility function.
Our Add-ins (e.g. NumXL, CalendarXL, etc.) for windows are constantly being tested with all existing Excel versions starting from version 97.
Note: we currently don't have a Mac version of our Add-in, and, as a result, our add-ins are not compatible with the all versions of Excel for Mac.
Code signing is the method of using a certificate-based digital signature to sign executables and scripts in order to verify the author’s identity and ensure that the code has not been changed or corrupted since it was signed by the author. This helps users and other software to determine whether the software can be trusted.
SPIDER code-signs its programs (i.e. installer program, Add-ins, VBAi macros, spreadsheet examples, etc.) offered on the website regardless of their release status (e.g. Beta, General release, etc.). Our digital certificate is issued by the Comodo (CA).
Extend analytic capability of spreadsheets
The primary benefit of using additional functions is easy access to a powerful set of analytics. Each library function performs a calculation within a single worksheet cell, which can be used as part of a bigger calculation, e.g., Time series analysis. In this way, each function can serve as a powerful building block, or subroutine, for assembling sophisticated spreadsheet models.
Save valuable time
Deriving formulas and constructing macros from scratch are error prone processes. For complex calculations, they can demand a good deal of debugging and testing time. And even after a formula or macro has been assembled correctly, copying it to another spreadsheet location or to another spreadsheet can introduce errors. Calling a function within a spreadsheet cell is inherently simpler than solving equations and typing in long, often cryptic, formulas.
Improve spreadsheet accuracy
Library functions guarantee consistent calculation across different spreadsheet locations and different spreadsheets. Each function is carefully designed and tested. The same calculation procedure is invoked each time the function is called, regardless of where it is called from.
Improve spreadsheet performance
Because each function is implemented as a set of machine instructions, it executes much faster than a corresponding formula or macro.
An add-in is an software that add functionalities to Microsoft Excel. Excel Add-in are writtin in Visual basic for Application (VBAi) or in complied language (C/C++). For performance and scalability purposes, we implemented our add-ins (e.g. NumXL, CalendarXL, etc.) using C++.