Data Dump
The Data Dump feature exports the complete results of a Monte Carlo simulation to a comma-separated value (CSV) file.
Unlike the printed report, which summarizes the simulation, a Data Dump contains one row for every simulated calf, allowing the entire simulated population to be examined using spreadsheet or statistical software.
What information is exported?
The exported file includes the variables used to generate each simulated calf, together with the calculated results.
Depending on the simulation settings, the output may include information such as:
- Birth weight
- Plasma volume
- Colostrum IgG concentration
- Feeding volumes
- Feeding ages
- IgG intake
- Apparent Efficiency of Absorption (AEA)
- Predicted serum IgG concentration
- Heat stress status
- Pasteurization status
- Jersey assignment
- Results from comparison equations, when applicable
- Other calculated variables used during the simulation
Each row represents one simulated calf.
Why use a Data Dump?
The Data Dump is intended primarily for research and advanced analyses.
Typical uses include:
- Importing results into Excel, SAS, R, or other statistical software.
- Creating custom graphs and summaries.
- Investigating individual simulated calves.
- Validating prediction equations.
- Comparing multiple simulation scenarios.
Because every simulated calf is exported, users have access to the complete dataset rather than only summary statistics.
Large file sizes
Data Dump files can become very large, particularly when large numbers of iterations are used.
For example:
| Iterations | Approximate File Size* |
|---|---|
| 10,000 | A few megabytes |
| 50,000 | Tens of megabytes |
| 100,000 | 30 MB or more |
*Actual file size depends on the number of variables included in the simulation.
For this reason, Data Dumps are generally not recommended unless detailed calf-level results are required.
Performance
Although the export may require several seconds for large simulations, CMC writes the data efficiently and produces a standard CSV file that can be opened by most spreadsheet and statistical software packages.
Because Data Dumps may contain hundreds of thousands of rows, opening the file in Excel may take additional time depending on your computer and the size of the simulation.
Recommendation
For most users, the printed report provides all of the information needed to evaluate a simulation.
The Data Dump feature is intended for situations where access to every simulated calf and every calculated variable is required for further analysis, validation, or research.
