Configuration File

Required

Always

Name

User-specified

Read by

InitConstants()
InitTerrainMaps()
InitMetSources()
InitTables()
InitDump()

Format

ASCII

Purpose

Contains model settings, input file names and paths, vegetation and soil attributes, and information on what to output when.

Comments

This filename is provided as a command-line argument to DHSVM. The file is organized in sections, which contain key-entry pairs. The file is free format, which means that correct reading of the file is not dependent on spaces and/or the order of the key-entry pairs within a section. The keys are not case sensitive. The entries are case sensitive. 

Comments are preceded by a '#', and run from the occurrence of '#' until the end of the line. Consequently, you can comment out an entire line or place a comment after an entry. It is important to place the key-entry pair in the correct section, because it will not be found if it is in another section. Since DHSVM will only use the keys that it requires you can leave empty entries for keys that are not needed. For example, if you are running the model in point mode, you do not have to fill out the routing section. If you have already filled it out you can leave it, DHSVM will not use the information. This allows easy switching between point and basin mode. 

Model sections are identified by keywords contained in square brackets. Key-entry pairs are identified by the key name followed by an equal sign. If a required key is missing, an error message will be printed to stderr specifying the missing key.

The easiest way to set up the initial configuration file is to download the configuration file template and fill out the required fields.

Details

The following sections are included in the input file: 

  1. [Options]
  2. [Area]
  3. [Time]
  4. [Constants]
  5. [Terrain]
  6. [Routing]
  7. [Meteorology]
  8. [Soils]
  9. [Vegetation]
  10. [Output]