I know that it is possible to define the order in which activties are scheduled. By defining "Time -> Activities -> Two activities are ordered" one can specify that the first activity is scheduled prior to the second activity. This constraint is working like a charm, but it is quite time consuming to specify more complex scenarios.
Example: The module "Mathematics I" consists of one lecture (A), one tutorial session (B), one exercise discussion (C) and five regular small exercise sessions (D-H). This means that I create eight activities for this module. It is important that (A) is scheduled before (B) and (C) (the order of B and C is not important), and that (B,C) is scheduled before (D-H). So I create a numer of "Time -> Activities -> Two activities are ordered" constraints:
- A before B
- A before C
- B before D
- B before E
- B before F
- B before G
- B before H
- C before D
- C before E
- C before F
- C before G
- C before H
As I already mentioned, it is quite time consuming to create all these constrains and also quite error prone since there is a good chance of forgetting one constellation.
It would be helpful if there would be some kind of "Time -> Activities -> Two sets of activities are ordered" constraint. When opening that constraint window there could be four boxes. In the first and third box there could be a list of all activities, in the second box there are all activities of set 1, in the fourth box all activities of set 2.
In my example I would add activities B and C to box 2 and D,E,F,G,H to box 4. So instead of entering 10 constraints, I would just have to enter this single constraint.
For FET there would be no difference in generating the schedule since it could internally generate 10 constraints from this new constraint.
Best, Matthias
Another good suggestion from Matthias! :) Two sets of activities ordered.
The only problem is that the dialog will be very full.
Unfortunately, I just released yesterday, so it must wait a bit. I'll let you know.
Can you wait some more days?
Hi Liviu!
Thanks for the flowers and for considering my suggestion. It's not urgent at all so take all the time you need. It was just an idea that popped up when entering all these "Two activities are ordered" constaints.
Best, Matthias
Hello, Matthias,
If and when I will make it, I would like you to test it on your file to make sure everything is OK, before releasing. That is why I asked you.
Hi Liviu!
If you have anything I can test for you, just let me know. I'll gladly do it.
Best, Matthias
I am ready with the constraint two sets of activities are ordered: https://lalescu.ro/liviu/fet/download/test/
Please let me know as soon as possible if it is OK.
I hope to release the next days.
Hi!
Thanks for implementing my idea. I downloaded and compiled the snapshot and it works like a charm. I really like the design of that dialogue. Very elegant way of solving the problem with the four boxes that I suggested.
However, when playing around with that new feature I had one more idea. It's kind of a follow-up of this suggestion:
https://lalescu.ro/liviu/fet/forum/index.php?topic=3204.msg17506#msg17506 (https://lalescu.ro/liviu/fet/forum/index.php?topic=3204.msg17506#msg17506) In that posting I suggested to add a "swap" button in "two activities are ordered".
The same would be quite useful in this new dialogue. It takes quite an effort to select all the activities for set 1 and 2. So if there's the need to swap the sets, all their contents have to be removed and added again. A swap button could save this effort.
Best, Matthias
OK, done for the next version (hopefully released soon).
Thanks a lot! :)
You're welcome! :)