# Recording and Loading Data From H2I Simulations
Detailed data from H2Integrate simulations can be saved and loaded later. This section covers:
1. [How to record data from a simulation](setting-recorder-parameters)
2. [How to load data and access recorded data](loading-recorder-files)

(setting-recorder-parameters)=
## Setting Recorder Parameters

Recording data from a simulation can be enabled in the `driver_config` file with the 'recorder' section. The most simple example is shown below:

```yaml
name: "driver_config"
description: "example driver config to show recording options"

general:
  folder_output: outputs #folder to save recorded data to

recorder:
  flag: True #set to True to record data
  file: "cases.sql" #this is the name of the file to record data to.
```
In the above example, data will be saved to the file `outputs/cases.sql`.

The file below would have the same behavior as the above example, but highlights the default behavior:
```yaml
name: "driver_config"
description: "example driver config to show recording options"

general:
  folder_output: outputs #folder to save recorded data to

recorder:
  flag: True #set to True to record data
  file: "cases.sql" #this is the name of the file to record data to.
  overwrite_recorder: False #create a unique recorder for each simulation
  recorder_attachment: "model" # "driver" or "model"
  includes: ["*"] # include everything
  excludes: ["*resource_data"] # don't include resource data
```

- **overwrite_recorder**: If False or not specified, H2I will make a new filename for the recorder that doesn't yet exist in the `outputs` folder. If `cases.sql` exists, it will make a new file named `cases0.sql`. If `cases.sql` and `cases0.sql` exist, it will make a new file named `cases1.sql`, etc. If set to True, it will overwrite an existing `cases.sql` file from previous runs.
- **recorder_attachment**: Must be `model` or `driver`, defaults to `model`. We recommend attaching the recorder to the driver if running an optimization or design of experiments in parallel as model-level recording cannot be performed in parallel due to limitations in OpenMDAO.

(attaching-a-recorder-to-the-driver)=
### Attaching a recorder to the driver
We recommend attaching the recorder to the driver if running an optimization or design of experiments in parallel as model-level recording cannot be performed in parallel due to limitations in OpenMDAO.
It can be beneficial if running a design of experiments or optimization in serial as well.
Further documentation on driver recording can be found [here](https://openmdao.org/newdocs/versions/latest/features/recording/driver_recording.html).

```yaml
name: "driver_config"
description: "example driver config to show recording options"

general:
  folder_output: outputs #folder to save recorded data to

recorder:
  flag: True #set to True to record data
  file: "cases.sql" #this is the name of the file to record data to.
  overwrite_recorder: False #create a unique recorder for each simulation
  recorder_attachment: "driver" #"driver" or "model

  # H2I Default recorder options
  includes: ["*"] # include everything
  excludes: ["*resource_data"] # don't include resource data

  # OpenMDAO default for recording options
  record_inputs: True #record inputs
  record_outputs: True #record outputs
  record_constraints: True #record constraints
  record_derivatives: False #record derivatives
  record_desvars: True #record design variables
  record_objectives: True #record objectives
```

(attaching-a-recorder-to-the-model)=
### Attaching a recorder to the model
Further documentation on model recording can be found [here](https://openmdao.org/newdocs/versions/latest/features/recording/system_recording.html). By default, the recorder will be attached to the model unless `recorder_attachment` is set to "driver".

```yaml
name: "driver_config"
description: "example driver config to show recording options"

general:
  folder_output: outputs #folder to save recorded data to

recorder:
  flag: True #set to True to record data
  file: "cases.sql" #this is the name of the file to record data to.
  overwrite_recorder: False #create a unique recorder for each simulation
  recorder_attachment: "model" #"driver" or "model

  # H2I Default recorder options
  includes: ["*"] # include everything
  excludes: ["*resource_data"] # don't include resource data

  # OpenMDAO default for recording options
  record_inputs: True #record inputs
  record_outputs: True #record outputs
  record_residuals: True #record residuals
```

(loading-recorder-files)=
## Loading Recorder Files
Detailed documentation on OpenMDAO's case read can be found [here](https://openmdao.org/newdocs/versions/latest/features/recording/case_reader.html).

Example usage of reading and accessing recorded data is shown in Example 8 (`examples/08_wind_electrolyzer/run_wind_electrolyzer.py`).

Below is an example python script that shows how to load recorded data and to access the data available:

```python
import openmdao.api as om
from pathlib import Path
# set the path for the recorder from stuff specified in the driver_config.yaml
fpath = Path.cwd() / "outputs" / "cases.sql"

# load the cases
cr = om.CaseReader(fpath)

# get the cases as a list
cases = list(cr.get_cases())
# access a variable from the problem, this can be anything thats an
# input or output from the models that were run and not specified
# as variables to exclude in the driver_config file

cases[0].get_val("finance_subgroup_default.LCOE",units="USD/(kW*h)")
cases[0].get_val("solar.system_capacity_DC",units="MW")
```