Algebraic equations use the same syntax as in the Microsoft Excell spreadsheets, familiar to most users. TEST goes to great length in making the daemons user friendly. For instance, state variables are color coded - blue for thermodynamic properties, red for material properties, green for extrinsic properties and black for system variables. Moving the pointer over any variable displays its definition and its current value on the message panel. Different background colors are used to display the calculation status of each variable, green for the user input, cyan for the calculated values and gray for the deduction from the balance equations.
TEST guides a user throughout a solution.
Similarly if a balance equation is not satisfied through a solution, it is reported on the message panel. . TEST offers several shortcuts for advanced users. The TEST-Map provides direct simplification of a problem with all the daemons arranged in an intuitive tree structure. An alternative to pressing the Calculate button is to press the Enter key. The balance equations in their customized form as solved by the daemons are prominently displayed along with the system schematic.