Questions regarding options in FIML and solveopt

[bareab87]

Hi all,
Sorry if I've misplaced this question.

I have a program written by someone else, that I am trying to adjust to my data and estimations. I've had some trouble and therefore need to make sure I understand every bit of the code. I've been trying to look in the user manual and at eviews.com/help for answers, but these options are not described there?

The first question is regarding the code for estimating a system by FIML:

Code: Select all

sysname.FIML(deriv=n)

What does the option deriv=n stand for?

The second issue is regarding setting options for model solutions:

Code: Select all

name.solveopt(..., R=1000)

Here, I can't figure out what the R option is for? I am using Eviews 9, but the code may be written for an earlier version.

Thank you in advance.

[EViews Gareth]

Both are old, outdated commands that are no longer supported/documented (but still work).

deriv=n is use numerical derivatives.

r=1000 is perform 1,000 stochastic iterations.

[bareab87]

Thank you, that helps a lot!

[bareab87]

I have a follow-up question to this, after reading in the manual about "Solving the model" (http://www.eviews.com/help/helpintro.ht ... el.html%23).

What is the difference between M (Maximum number of iterations for solution) and R (number of stochastic iterations to perform)? The user manual describes "The Repetitions box, in the top left corner of the dialog, allows you to set the number of repetitions that will be performed during the stochastic simulation" - I guess this is R? Can M also be set in the dialog?

[EViews Gareth]

Yes, on the last tab.

M controls the numerical optimization engine.

[bareab87]

Yes, on the last tab.

M controls the numerical optimization engine.

Could you please elaborate a little bit...? :) The default is 5000, when should I consider changing this number?

[EViews Gareth]

Explaining the details of numerical optimization methods is a little beyond the scope of a simple forum reply :D, but I am sure a Google search can provide you with lots of information.