FlexSim does not appear to consistently honor the read-only flag of model files. If a model is opened that is set to read-only in Windows, FlexSim sometimes gives an error when saving, but other times it overwrites the file without giving an error, and resets the read-only flag of the file. This is an issue with the latest version of FlexSim (16.2.1 as of this post), as well as previous versions. I have tested this with Windows 7 and Windows 10.
Steps to reproduce this issue:
- Open FlexSim.
- Create a model with one source
- Save to test.fsm
- Close FlexSim
- In Windows File Explorer, right-click on test.fsm and go to Properties
- Enable the read-only flag for the file and click OK
- Re-open the model in FlexSim
- Add a processor
- Click the save icon
FlexSim then appears to overwrite the read-only file. If the overwritten model is set to read-only again via Windows File Explorer, opened in FlexSim and a third item is added (such as a queue), FlexSim now gives a "Saving was unsuccessful" error when saving the model. This mixed behavior also occurs with full-size models, although I cannot determine what causes it to behave one way or another.
Another related issue is that if the user makes changes to a file that is set to read-only, then clicks the "X" in the upper-right corner to close FlexSim and says "Yes" to save the model, it sometimes gives an error that saving was unsuccessful and then quits the program without giving the user another chance to save the file to a different name. We had a team member lose a couple hours of work because he made edits to a model that he didn't realize was set to read-only, and attempted to save the model using this method.
Here are some potential improvements that would be useful if implemented:
- FlexSim should consistently honor the read-only flag of a model file
- FlexSim should notify the user that a model file is set to read-only when the model is first opened by adding [Read-only] next to the filename in the title bar
- When a user selects Save for a model that is read-only, it should instead give a warning and open a Save As dialog, similar to how Microsoft Office handles it
- After displaying a file save error when closing, FlexSim should always give the user a second chance to save their model under a different name or in a different location
Thanks and please let me know if you have any questions.