The easiest way to learn to use Parity Builder is to work through a sample project. In this tutorial, we will assign children from a youth recreation league to teams. You will assign 148 children to teams of approximately 11 each, and every child must play. A sample data file (tutorial.csv) containing information on (fictitious) individuals is bundled with Parity Builder. The file is in comma-separated-value (CSV) format and can be loaded into and viewed in any spreadsheet program. The easiest way to enter information about a large number of individuals into Parity Builder is to compile the information in a spreadsheet, export it as a CSV file, and then import that file in Parity Builder.
The order in which you enter the parts of a project is not fixed, but the tutorial follows one commonly used sequence:
- Create a new project and enter some information about it.
- Input data about individuals.
- Edit attributes and set priorities.
- Edit the data on the individuals (to correct any problems).
- Enter restrictions (if required) about assignments.
- Build the model.
- Adjust solver settings as desired.
- Solve the model.
- Export the solution.
