DIST - PATH distribution statement

Function

The DIST statement defines a probability distribution to be used when choosing entries from a PATH statement. The name field must match the name field of the PATH statement with which the DIST statement is associated. This statement is optional.

Where

name

Function: Specifies the name to be used to identify this distribution.

Note: This field is used to locate the PATH statement with which this distribution corresponds.

Format: From one to eight alphanumeric characters.

Default: None. This field is required.

weight[,...]

Function: The number specified assigns a relative weight to the corresponding path entry. Each weight represents a fractional value of the total weights specified on this DIST statement. This fractional value is determined by dividing the weight specified by the total of all the weights. The probability that a particular path entry will be chosen for message generation on any given selection is this fractional value. For example:

1 PATH A,B,C
1 DIST 50,30,20

WSim adds all the weights (50 + 30 + 20 = 100), generates a random number between 1 and the sum (100), and chooses a deck that corresponds to that number. Here, 1 through 50 represents deck A, 51 through 80 represents deck B, and 81 through 100 represents deck C. If WSim generates the number 72, it would choose deck B.

Format: A series of integers from 0 to 65535 separated by commas.

Note: The number of weights entered must be the same as the number of entries on the corresponding PATH statement. The sum of the weights must be greater than zero and must not exceed 65535.

Default: None. At least one weight must be entered.