This page documents the new features in Dynare. For previous versions of Dynare, please read the dedicated frozen page on the [DynareWiki](http://www.dynare.org/DynareWiki/NewFeatures).
This page documents the changes between Dynare versions (including the unstable
noe). For previous versions of Dynare, please read the dedicated frozen page on
the [DynareWiki](http://www.dynare.org/DynareWiki/NewFeatures).
Dynare 4.7 (unstable)
---------------------
Dynare 4.6
----------
-The perturbation method is now available at an arbitrary approximation order. In other words, the `order` option of `stoch_simul` accepts an arbitrary positive integer (of course, up to some model-specific computational limit) (see #217 for details)
-Stochastic simulations
- (Nonlinear) estimation is also now available at an arbitrary approximation
order (#1673)
- The perturbation method is now available at an arbitrary approximation
order. In other words, the `order` option of `stoch_simul` accepts an
arbitrary positive integer (of course, up to some model-specific
computational limit). (#217)
- Improvements to `identification` command:
- New option `filtered_theoretical_moments_grid` of `stoch_simul`, that
supersedes `hp_ngrid`.
- added minimal system identification check of *Komunjer and Ng (2011, Econometrica)*
- added spectrum identification check of *Qu and Tkachenko (2012, Quantitative Economics)*
- all tests (moments, spectrum, minimal system, strength) can be turned off
- more numerical options which can be changed by the user
- improved printing and storage (same folder) of results
- fixed numerical derivatives
- fixed functionality when there is correlation of shocks or one wants to consider corr parameters for both analytical as well as numerical derivatives
- Reference: !1648
- Estimation
- Optimal policy
- :warning: The `ramsey_policy`-command is now deprecated. It is superseded by calls to `ramsey_policy`, `stoch_simul`, and `evaluate_planner_objective` (see https://git.dynare.org/Dynare/dynare/wikis/BreakingFeaturesIn4.6)
- New command `evaluate_planner_objective` to compute the value of the `planner_objective` (https://git.dynare.org/Dynare/dynare/issues/1678)
- New option `planner_discount_latex_name` of `ramsey_policy` (#1686)
- It is now possible to estimate a model under optimal policy (either
Ramsey or discretionary) (#1173)
- (Nonlinear) estimation is now also available at an arbitrary approximation
order. In other words, the `order` option of `estimation` accepts an
arbitrary positive integer (of course, up to some model-specific
computational limit). (#1673)
- Various improvements to particle filters.
- It is now possible to estimate models under optimal policy (see below).
- Variance decomposition of observables now accounts for measurement error.
(#1486)
- Improvements to option `use_dll`:
- New option `mh_tune_jscale` of `estimation` command for tuning the scale
parameter of the proposal distribution of the Random Walk Metropolis
Hastings.
- compilation is now faster on large models (by disabling targeted optimization flags in the compiler)
- it is no longer necessary to configure MATLAB for compiling MEX files, since the compilation is done by the preprocessor; on Windows, a suitable compiler (MinGW) ships with the Dynare installer; on other platforms, GCC must be in the path
- Added debugging info when parameters take a `NaN` or `Inf` value. (!1538)
- Improvements to perfect foresight simulation and extended path: a significant speed improvement should be noted on large models (when neither `bytecode` nor `block` option is used). The stacked problem is now constructed using a MEX file that greatly speeds up the process (in particular, the time spent in that step can become negligible when the `use_dll` option is used).
- Option `mode_compute=1` is now available under Octave.
- Various improvements to particle filters (TO BE DETAILED)
- Perfect foresight and extended path
- A significant speed improvement should be noted on large models (when
neither `bytecode` nor `block` option is used). The stacked problem is
now constructed using a dedicated machine-compiled library that greatly
speeds up the process (in particular, the time spent in that step can
become negligible when the `use_dll` option is used).
- New options `print` and `noprint` of `perfect_foresight_solver` command.
(#1647)
- Option `stack_solve_algo=2` is now available under Octave.
- Steady state
- Option `solve_algo=7` is now available under Octave.
- Optimal policy
- Options `solve_algo=7`, `stack_solve_algo=2` and `mode_compute=1` now work under Octave
- The `ramsey_policy` command is now deprecated. It is superseded by
successive calls to `ramsey_model`, `stoch_simul`, and
`evaluate_planner_objective` (in this order). (#1678)
- In `conditional_forecast_paths`, it is no longer required that all constrained paths be of the same length. There may now be a different number of controlled variables at each period. In that case, the order of declaration of endogenous controlled variables and of `controlled_varexo` matters: if the second endogenous variable is controlled for less periods than the first one, the second `controlled_varexo` isn't set for the last periods. (see #699)
- It is now possible to estimate a model under optimal policy (either
Ramsey or discretionary) by running the `estimation` command after either
`ramsey_model` or `discretionary_policy`. It is however not yet possible
to estimate parameters that appear in the discount factor of the social
planner. (#1173)
- Discretionary policy returns a more informative error message when the
objective has nonzero derivatives with respect to some variables. (!1468)
-Added JSON output to the preprocessor. A representation of the model file and the whole content of the `*.mod` file is saved in `*.json` files. These JSON files can be easily parsed from any language (C++, Fortran, Python, Julia, Matlab, ...). This new feature opens the possibility to develop alternative back-ends for the Dynare language.
-Identification (!1648)
- Added the possibility to declare Dynare command options in the mod file.
- Added minimal system identification check of *Komunjer and Ng (2011,
Econometrica)*.
- Discretionary policy returns a more informative error message when the objective has nonzero derivatives with respect to some variables. (!1468)
-`write_latex_static_model` and `write_latex_original_model` now support the `write_equation_tags`-option (#1431)
- Added spectrum identification check of *Qu and Tkachenko (2012,
Quantitative Economics)*.
- The `calib_smoother`-command now take the option `parameter_set` (#1477)
- All tests (moments, spectrum, minimal system, strength) can be turned
off.
- New command `model_local_variable` that allows defining LaTeX-expressions for model-local variables (#563)
- More numerical options can be changed by the user.
- Always write `M_.state_var`, independently of what commands are issued (#637)
- Improved printing and storage (same folder) of results.
- New command-line option `nopreprocessoroutput` (#1390)
- Sensitivity analysis
- New `diffuse_filter` option to the `dynare_sensitivity` command. (!1562)
- New command `write_latex_steady_state_model` (#1496)
- Arbitrary expressions can now be passed for the interval boundaries in
`irf_calibration` and `moment_calibration`. :warning: This breaks the
previous syntax, requiring that the lower/upper bounds be separated by
commas. (preprocessor#12)
-Ability to call the preprocessor by passing the `.mod` file as a string argument from the macOS or GNU/Linux command line (#1509)
-Forecasting and smoothing
- Variance decomposition of observables now accounts for measurement error (#1486)
- In `conditional_forecast_paths`, it is no longer required that all
constrained paths be of the same length. There may now be a different
number of controlled variables at each period. In that case, the order of
declaration of endogenous controlled variables and of `controlled_varexo`
matters: if the second endogenous variable is controlled for less periods
than the first one, the second `controlled_varexo` isn't set for the last
periods. (#699)
- New dynare option `noemptylinemacro` (#1551)
- New option `parameter_set` to the `calib_smoother` command (#1477)
- The Macro processor has been rewritten
- New features
-`elseif`-clauses are now supported
- a `defined()`-function allows testing whether macro variables have been defined
- Empty arrays (with the `[]` syntax) are now possible (#707)
- Arrays of arrays are now possible
- New types: Double, Tuple, Function
- New macro directives `@#echomacrovars` and `@#echomacrovars(save)` (#1564)
- Inline comments are now supported
- Support for comprehensions
- :warning: Breaking changes
- :warning: All division operations are now done with doubles (as opposed to integers). To achieve the old functionality, use the new `floor` operator.
- :warning: Colon syntax used to require braces around it to create an array (e.g. `[1:3]` would create `[1,2,3]`). Now this is not necessary (`1:3` creates `[1,2,3]` while `[1:3]` would create `[[1,2,3]]`)
- :warning: Previously, printing a boolean would print `1` or `0`. Now, it prints `true` or `false`. To achieve the old functionality, you must cast it to a real, e.g. `@{(real)(1!=0)}`
- :warning: The results of `conditional_forecast` command is now saved in
`oo_` (used to be in a file; see #1672)
-Dseries and Reporting have been rewritten using the Matlab/Octave `classdef` syntax
-Shock decomposition
- The `dynare_sensitivity`-command now accepts the `diffuse_filter`-option (!1562)
- Added `fast_realtime` option to real time shock decomposition (deactivated
by default, runs the smoother only twice: once for the last in-sample and
once for the last out-of-sample data point) (!1563) and (!1552)
- Added debugging info on NaN and Inf parameters (!1538)
- New `diff`, `flip`, `max_nrows`, `plot_init_date` and `plot_end_date`
options to `plot_shock_decomposition` (#1649, !1655,
74e7c12d9d4f802cb687f6f1f122330fa5c4a2f4)
- Shock decomposition:
- Added `fast_realtime` option to real time shock decomposition (deactivated by default, runs the smoother only twice: once for the last in-sample and once for the last out-of-sample data point) (!1563) and (!1552)
- Added `diff`, `flip` and `max_nrows` options to `plot_shock_decomposition`
(#1649, !1655)
- Options `plot_init_date` and `plot_end_date` of `plot_shock_decomposition`
are now documented (see 74e7c12d9d4f802cb687f6f1f122330fa5c4a2f4)
- New `initial_decomposition_decomposition` command, for computing and
plotting the decomposition of the effect of smoothed initial conditions of
state variables (#1586)
- New `squeeze_shock_decomposition` command, for removing decompositions of
variables that are not of interest (!1655)
- New `with_epilogue` option (common to `shock_decomposition`,
`realtime_shock_decomposition` and `initial_condition_decomposition`) (!1688)
`realtime_shock_decomposition` and `initial_condition_decomposition`)
(!1688)
- New `init2shocks` block to attribute initial conditions to shocks (#1650)
- New syntax to declare model variables in the `model` block (#1386)
- Macro processor
- New object types: real (supersedes integers), boolean (distinct from
integers), tuple, user-defined function.
- New operators: various mathematical functions, set operations on arrays
(union, intersection, difference, cartesian power and product), type
checking and conversion.
- Added support for comprehensions (e.g. the set containing the squares of
all even numbers between 1 and 5 can be constructed with `[ i^2 for i in
1:5 when mod(i,2) == 0]`)
- User-defined functions can be declared using the `@#define` operator (e.g.
`@#define f(x) = 2*x^2+3*x+5`)
-`@#elseif`-clauses are now supported in conditional statements
-`@#for` loops can iterate over several variables at the same time (e.g.
`@#for (i,j) in X`, where `X` is an array containing tuples of size 2)
- A `defined()` function allows testing whether macro variables have been defined
- Empty arrays (with the `[]` syntax) are now possible (#707)
- Arrays of arrays are now supported
- New macro directives `@#echomacrovars` and `@#echomacrovars(save)` for
displaying or saving the values of all macro-variables. (#1564)
- Inline comments are now supported
- :warning: All division operations are now done with doubles (as opposed to
integers). To achieve the old functionality, use the new `floor` operator.
- :warning: Colon syntax used to require braces around it to create an array
(e.g. `[1:3]` would create `[1,2,3]`). Now this is not necessary (`1:3`
creates `[1,2,3]` while `[1:3]` would create `[[1,2,3]]`)
- :warning: Previously, printing a boolean would print `1` or `0`. Now, it
prints `true` or `false`. To achieve the old functionality, you must cast
it to a real, e.g. `@{(real)(1!=0)}`
- LaTeX output
- New command `write_latex_steady_state_model` (#1496)
- New option `planner_discount_latex_name` of `ramsey_policy`. (#1686)
- New command `model_local_variable` command for assigning a LaTeX name to
model-local variables. (#563)
- The `write_latex_static_model` and `write_latex_original_model` commands
now support the `write_equation_tags` option. (#1431)
- Compilation of the model (`use_dll` option) made easier and faster
- Under Windows, it is no longer necessary to manually install the
compiler, since the latter is now shipped by the Dynare installer.
- Under macOS, the Dynare installer now automatically downloads and
installs the compiler.
- It is no longer necessary to configure MATLAB to let it know where the
compiler is, since the compilation is now done by the preprocessor.
- The compilation phase is now faster on large models (this has been
achieved by disabling a few time-consuming and not-so-useful optimization
passes otherwise done by the compiler).
- New `compilation_setup` block for specifying a custom compiler or custom
compilation flags.
- Model and variables declaration
- New syntax to declare model variables in the `model` block. (#1386)
- New `epilogue` block for computing output variables of interest that may
not be necessarily defined in the model (e.g. various kinds of
real/nominal shares or relative prices, or annualized variables out of a
quarterly model).
- Allow for on-the-fly variable declaration in equation tags (see
01d5a1308244ffb5a85e7f8f1d6a9e104b458715)
- Command-line options
- Added the possibility to declare Dynare command-line options in the mod
file.
- New option `nopreprocessoroutput` to disable printing of messages from
the preprocessor. (#1390)
- It is now possible to assign an arbitrary macro-expression to a
macro-variable defined on the command-line, using the `-D` syntax.
(#1696)
- New option `linemacro` to revert to the old format of the
macro-processed file (see below).
- Preprocessor outputs and inputs
- Added JSON output to the preprocessor. A representation of the model file
and the whole content of the `*.mod` file is saved in `*.json` files.
These JSON files can be easily parsed from any language (C++, Fortran,
Python, Julia, Matlab, ...). This new feature opens the possibility to
develop alternative back-ends for the Dynare language.
- :warning: Most files generated by the preprocessor are now grouped under
two subdirectories. Assuming your file is `FILENAME.mod`, then M-files
and MEX-files will be under `+FILENAME/`, while other output (JSON,
LaTeX, source code for the MEX files) will be under `FILENAME/`
- The macro-generated output is now more readable (no more line numbers and
empty lines). The old behaviour can be restored using the `linemacro`
option (see above).
- Ability to call the preprocessor by passing the `.mod` file as a string
argument from the macOS or GNU/Linux command line (#1509)
- dseries classes
- Numerous new functionalities. Unfortunately it was not possible to
document them in time for the initial 4.6 release. We hope to fix that
soon.
- Added option `mh_tune_jscale` in `estimation` for tuning the scale parameter of the proposal distribution of the Random Walk Metropolis Hastings.
- Complete rewrite using the new `classdef` syntax.
- Allow for on-the-fly variable declaration in equation tags (see 01d5a1308244ffb5a85e7f8f1d6a9e104b458715)
- Integration of the `dates` classes within `dseries`.
- :warning: Previously, when some MEX files were missing, Dynare would automatically use a slower M-file functional alternative; this is no longer the case. It is however still possible to manually add these alternatives in the MATLAB path (they are located under `matlab/missing/mex`; this only applies to the `mjdgges`, `gensylv`, `A_times_B_kronecker_C`, `sparse_hessian_times_B_kronecker_C` and `local_state_space_iteration_2` DLLs)
- Reporting classes
- Automatically create titlepage with page numbers/page titles.
- Allow for the removal of headers and footers from a given page.
- :warning: Most files generated by the preprocessor are now grouped under two subdirectories. Assuming your file is `FILENAME.mod`, then M-files and MEX-files will be under `+FILENAME/`, while other output (JSON, LaTeX, source for MEX files) will be under `FILENAME/`
- Allow user to set page number.
- options `print` and `noprint` added to `perfect_foresight_solver` (#1647)
- Split up report output. Create new files for the preamble, the body of
the report, and each individual page of the report.
- External functions can be located in matlab namespaces (#1639)
- The classes have been converted to the new `classdef` syntax.
- Can pass expressions as intervals to `irf_calibration` and `moment_calibration`.
- :warning: This breaks the previous syntax, requiring that the lower/upper bound be separated by commas (preprocessor#12)
- Misc
- Improvements to the balanced growth test path: default tolerance has been raised, a different value can be set with new option `balanced_growth_test_tol` to the `model` block; as a consequence, failing the test is now an error again (#1389)
- External functions can be located in MATLAB namespaces. (#1639)
- The undocumented `linear` option of `stoch_simul` has been removed
- Improvements to the balanced growth path test that is performed after
Dynare has detrended the model (given the trends on variables declared by
the user): the default tolerance has been raised, and a different value
can be set with new option `balanced_growth_test_tol` to the `model`
block; as a consequence, failing the test is now an error again (#1389)
- :warning: The results of `conditional_forecast` command is now saved in `oo_` (used to be in a file; see #1672)
- New collection of `get` and `set` utilities to retrieve and alter
objects. (!1686)
- New suite of `get` and `set` utilities to retrieve and alter objects (!1686).
- :warning: Previously, when some MEX files were missing, Dynare would
automatically fall back to slower M-file functional alternative; this is
no longer the case. It is however still possible to manually add these
alternatives in the MATLAB path (they are located under
`matlab/missing/mex`; this only applies to the `mjdgges`, `gensylv`,
`A_times_B_kronecker_C`, `sparse_hessian_times_B_kronecker_C` and
`local_state_space_iteration_2` DLLs)
- New option `filtered_theoretical_moments_grid` of `stoch_simul`, that
