Applies to: RDK users with @Risk 6.x-7.x

Updating @RISK 6.x or 7.x Automation Code to Run in @RISK 8.x

 

Overview
Moving to version 8, Palisade reviewed and improved the XDK interface, considering new features and .NET programming needs.

• This resulted in changes to the Object Model, method names, parameters, and enumerated constants.
• The major changes are outlined here with reference to VBA code.
  • Not all details are covered, but when code from earlier versions does not compile, review the interface to identify alternative methods or properties.
• Over 90% of the interface remains unchanged.

Updating Library References
@RISK automation code written for versions 6.x or 7.x must have references updated for version 8.x as described in this guide.

Changes to the Object Model

• Risk.Simulation.Results.Reports object added, reflecting improved reporting.

• Risk.ApplicationSettings replaced by Risk.Preferences; some old properties may be missing, and new ones added.

• Risk.Library is no longer available due to changes in functionality.

New Interface for Generating Standard Reports
Version 8 adds new report types, PDF output, and more flexibility in specifying inputs/outputs. The single method Risk.GenerateExcelReports from version 7 is replaced by multiple methods under Risk.Simulation.Results.Reports.

New Format of Enumerated Constant Names
Enumerated constant names changed in format. Old names like RiskAutomaticResultsDisplay.RiskNoAutomaticResults in 6/7 now appear as RiskAutomaticResultsDisplay.RiskAutomaticResultsDisplay_RiskNoAutomaticResults. Enumeration names are generally preserved as prefixes.

New Method of Returning Arrays
Arrays are returned differently. For example, GetSampleData in version 7 returned the array via the first parameter; version 8 modifies how arrays are returned to client code.

New Method of Passing Arrays to the XDK
Some methods that pass arrays to the XDK were split. For example, PredefinedFitsSetList in version 7 becomes PredefinedFitList_SetArray and PredefinedFitList_Clear in version 8. Passing empty arrays can cause Excel crashes due to a VBA/.NET interaction bug.

Changes to Methods for Graphing Results
Methods for graphing sensitivity results now use a RiskSensitivitySettings object.

• GraphTornado and GraphTornadoEx merged into GraphSensitivityTornado.

• GraphSpider renamed GraphSensitivitySpider.

• GraphSummary replaced by GraphSummaryBoxPlot and GraphSummaryTrend.

Risk.RefreshUI Method Added
Some XDK calls now require updating the Excel interface. Setting properties no longer refreshes automatically; use Risk.RefreshUI to update the ribbon when needed.

Item No Longer the Default Property
Collection classes no longer default to the Item property. For example, Risk.Fits("Costs").Delete in version 7 becomes Risk.Fits.Item("Costs").Delete in version 8.

Different Initialization Method with the .NET Interface
See the section covering the .NET interface for details on initializing XDK components.

Attachments:
@RISK-Automation-Guide.pdf