Main GAMS File Configuration

The Main GAMS File is a central concept in GAMS-IDE for handling multi-file projects.

Why it's important

In large projects (like FarmDyn or CAPRI), you often work on a file (e.g., model/equations.gms) that cannot be compiled on its own because it depends on data or sets defined elsewhere.

By setting a "Main GAMS File" (e.g., Start.gms), you tell GAMS-IDE:

"No matter which file I am editing right now, when I press Run or check for errors, please compile Start.gms."

Settings

gamsIde.mainGmsFile

• Type: String (Filename)
• Description: The filename of the entry point.
• Recommendation: Set this in your Workspace Settings so it applies to the project.

gamsIde.excludeFromMainGmsFile

• Type: Array of Strings (Paths/Filenames)
• Description: Files or folders that should ignore the Main GAMS file setting.
• Use Case: You have a separate data generation script (data/generate_initial_data.gms) that is standalone. You want to run this specific file, not the main model.
  • Add data/ to this exclusions list.
  • Now, when you edit files in data/, hitting Run will execute the active file, not the Main GMS File.