<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> Navigation:  Problem Descriptor Reference > The Elements of a Descriptor > Built-in Functions > The SAVE Function

The SAVE function creates a field on the finite element mesh, and saves the values of the argument expression at the nodal points for subsequent interpolation. SAVE builds a continuous representation of the data within each material region, and can preserve discontinuities in the saved data.

The SAVE function may be used to block ill-behaved functions from differentiation in the derivative computation for Newton's method, or to avoid expensive re-computation of complex functions.

The normal use for SAVE is in the DEFINITIONS section, as in

name = SAVE ( expression )

 

Note: SAVE() builds a continuous representation of the data across the entire domain, and cannot preserve discontinuities in the fitted data. In some cases, multiplying the data by an appropriate material parameter can result in a continuous function appropriate for saving. An exception to this rule is in the case of CONTACT boundaries, where the mesh nodes are duplicated, and discontinuities can be preserved in SAVE functions.

 

Example:

"Samples | Usage | Save.pde"

See the FIT() function for a similar function with integral conservation and variable smoothing capabilities.