File creation and Run commencement

The calibration starts as a sequence of several steps:

Create the files required by PEST
FePEST generates the required PEST files according to the settings. This is a complete setup for a PEST optimization; an execution of this setup is possible also without FePEST.
Recalculate Jacobian Matrix
This option is available if the Jacobian matrix is available from a former PEST run. Advanced users can choose to deactivate this option for time savings.
Start PEST
This finally executes PEST itself and commences the actual calibration process. The FePEST windows display the progress of the PEST iteration.

Before running the model, a check of the PEST setup is recommended. PEST provides several tools (PESTCHEK, TEMPCHEK and INSCHEK) that can be run through the Estimation menu of the FePEST user interface.

These utilities check the most important files of the PEST setup, namely the control file, the template file and the instruction file, for errors and warnings. Errors prevent PEST from running whereas the warnings indicate possible problems and provide suggestions for improving the setup.

Users experienced in PEST can choose to generate the PEST files without immediately starting the PEST run itself. In this way, it is possible to make changes to settings or activate features in PEST that are not yet supported by FePEST. If files have been changed manually it is advisable to run the automatic checks prior to starting PEST.

It is possible to interrupt (pause) or stop the PEST run. A stopped PEST run can be continued at a later point in time, even if FePEST had to be closed in the meantime. This is useful if the optimization has to be interrupted, e.g., if the computer is turned off.
The toolbar and the Estimation menu contain the controls required to check the setup and to start, stop and use PEST.