# Frequency and Data Labels This guide explains the meaning of "Frequency and Data Labels" in arenil.com, the different types available, and how to enter them into the form. In short, frequency is used to describe when a variable is measured, or over what period it is measured. Note that some variables are defined at a single point in time (called *stock variables*, like money supply), while others are measured over a time interval (called *flow variables*, like income). In other words, each dataset has its own specific format for display and input. This guide introduces the different types in the following sections. ## Within the Week This category includes frequencies based on *days of the week*. It may include all days of the week (daily frequency), or a selection of days (e.g., excluding holidays so that only Saturday to Wednesday are included). The label is typically a date in the `"yyyy-MM-dd"` format. However, some types require additional info to define specific days of the week — this is shown in the *Details* column of the table and must also be entered in the form. | Frequency Type | Value Format | Details | Description | |------|---|---------|-----| | Daily | `yyyy-MM-dd` | `d` | Event occurs every day. | | Every Few Days | `yyyy-MM-dd` | `d#` | Example: `d2` means the event occurs every 2 days. | | Weekly | `yyyy-MM-dd` | `w` | Defines a weekly repetition. The date is used to determine the first day of the week (e.g., Saturday). | | Every Few Weeks | `yyyy-MM-dd` | `w#` | Example: `w2` means the event repeats every 2 weeks. The date defines the first day of the week. | | Specific Weekdays | `yyyy-MM-dd` | `i:Mon-Fri` | Event occurs only on selected weekdays. Example: only Monday to Friday. | ## Within the Day These frequencies partition each day. Examples include hourly or custom intervals during the day. It is based on a "within a week" frequency and therefore, you can exclude a part of week. The general format is `"yyyy-MM-dd:#/#"` where the first number (`#`) is the position (e.g., 5th hour), and the second number (`#`) is the total number of partitions in the day (e.g., 24 for hours). Pay attention to use correct symbols: `-`, `:`, `/`. The weekly definition (such as `d` or `i:Mon-Fri`) is included in the *Details* column (instead of `...`): | Frequency Type | Value Format | Details | Description | |------|---|--------------|-----| | Hourly | `yyyy-MM-dd:#/24` | `ho|...` | Day divided into 24 partitions. `5` means the 5th hour. | | Minutely | `yyyy-MM-dd:#/1440` | `mi|...` | 1440 partitions (one per minute). `500` means the 500th minute. | | Custom Daily partitions | `yyyy-MM-dd:#/#` | `da#|...` | Custom split into N parts. Example: `da30|w` means 30 parts per day (defined weekly). | ## Within the Year Use these frequencies for events that occur *annually* or within *custom intervals during a year* — e.g., monthly, quarterly, etc. In the table below, formats and labels are described. | Frequency Type | Value Format | Details | Description | |-------|---|-------------|----------| | Yearly | `####` | `y:...` | One event per year. `####` is the year number (e.g., `2025`). | | Quarterly | `####Q#` | `q:...` | The year is split into 4 quarters. `2025Q2` is the second quarter of 2025. | | Monthly | `####M#` | `m:...` | 12 months in a year. `2025M2` is the second month. | | Custom Partitions per Year | `####:#/#` | `yN` | Example: `2025:2/30` means the 2nd partition out of 30 in 2025. | | Every N Years | `####` | `z#` | For multi-year cycles. Example: `z5` = every 5 years; value `####` still refers to the start year.| In the *Details* column, you may also include the *culture code* for calendar systems. For example: if year `1394` is in the Persian calendar, use `fa` as the culture code. ## List-Based Frequencies These frequencies are based on a *custom list of labels*. They can be unique names (e.g., "Jan", "Feb"), or specific dates. Since these lists are not structured, future values cannot be auto-generated. The list must be *manually entered* in the *Details* section. | Frequency Type | Example Value | Example Details | Description | |--------------------|---------------------|--------------------|-----------| | List (Text) | `Feb` | `Ls:Jan,Feb,Mar` | A value from a fixed text list. Must match exactly. | | List (Date) | `2025-04-15` | `Ld:2025-04-15;2025-04-16;2025-04-17` | A date from a defined list in `yyyy-MM-dd` format. Must exist in the list. | ## Important Notes - *Use correct formats:* Make sure you enter values using supported formats (e.g., use `:` and `/` correctly). - *Values must match the list:* For list-based types, the value must exactly match one of the items. - *Understand the partitions:* If the day is divided into 24 partitions, only values from 1 to 24 are valid. ## Common Mistakes - *Wrong separators:* For example: using `/` instead of `:`, or `-` instead of `/`. - *Incorrect date format:* Dates must follow the exact format `"yyyy-MM-dd"`. - *Invalid list value:* If the value doesn't exist in the defined list, the system will not recognize it.