---
description: >-
  Calculation Options defines how the time difference is computed and the level
  of precision applied to the humanized output.
---

# Calculation Options

## Overview

The Calculation Options feature of the `SiticoneHumanizerDateTime` control determines the method used for computing time differences and the degree of detail presented in the output. It allows developers to choose among several calculation modes and set parameters such as the maximum number of time units to display and whether the precision should adjust automatically based on the time span.

<table><thead><tr><th width="241">Property</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><code>CalculationMode</code></td><td>Determines the mathematical approach for calculating time differences: Calendar, Fixed, or Astronomical.</td></tr><tr><td><code>MaxPrecision</code></td><td>Sets the maximum number of time units (from 1 to 4) to be displayed in the output.</td></tr><tr><td><code>AdaptivePrecision</code></td><td>When enabled, the control dynamically adjusts the number of displayed time units based on the overall time span.</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Key Points

<table><thead><tr><th width="202">Aspect</th><th>Detail</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Calculation Modes</td><td>Choose from Calendar (using actual months/years), Fixed (using fixed durations), or Astronomical (for high-precision calculations).</td></tr><tr><td>Precision Control</td><td><code>MaxPrecision</code> limits the number of time components, while <code>AdaptivePrecision</code> can automatically adjust based on the magnitude of the time span.</td></tr><tr><td>Flexibility</td><td>Provides both fixed and dynamic precision settings, making it adaptable to various application scenarios.</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Best Practices

<table><thead><tr><th width="347">Practice</th><th>Recommendation</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Select Appropriate Mode</td><td>Choose <code>CalculationMode.Calendar</code> for conventional date differences, or <code>Fixed</code>/<code>Astronomical</code> when a different level of precision is required.</td></tr><tr><td>Set Precision Thoughtfully</td><td>Use <code>MaxPrecision</code> to control output length and avoid overly verbose or overly brief results.</td></tr><tr><td>Enable Adaptive Precision When Needed</td><td>Enable <code>AdaptivePrecision</code> to let the control intelligently adjust the detail based on the time span, particularly useful for varied time differences.</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Common Pitfalls

<table><thead><tr><th width="277">Pitfall</th><th>Explanation</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Inconsistent Calculation Mode</td><td>Using a calculation mode that doesn’t match the intended logic (e.g., using Fixed mode for calendar-based events) may yield inaccurate results.</td></tr><tr><td>Overly High Precision</td><td>Setting <code>MaxPrecision</code> too high can clutter the output with unnecessary detail.</td></tr><tr><td>Disabling Adaptive Precision</td><td>Turning off <code>AdaptivePrecision</code> may lead to either an overly detailed or overly simplified output if the chosen <code>MaxPrecision</code> does not suit all cases.</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Usage Scenarios

<table><thead><tr><th width="289">Scenario</th><th>Details</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Standard Calendar Calculations</td><td>Use <code>CalculationMode.Calendar</code> for typical date differences that consider actual calendar months and years.</td></tr><tr><td>Fixed Interval Calculations</td><td>Use <code>CalculationMode.Fixed</code> for applications where months are considered a constant 30 days and years 365 days, such as in simplified scheduling.</td></tr><tr><td>High-Precision Time Analysis</td><td>Use <code>CalculationMode.Astronomical</code> when high precision is necessary, such as in scientific or astronomical applications.</td></tr><tr><td>Dynamic vs. Fixed Precision</td><td>Enable <code>AdaptivePrecision</code> for outputs that need to adjust detail dynamically, or use <code>MaxPrecision</code> for a fixed number of time components.</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Real Life Usage Scenarios

<table><thead><tr><th width="249">Scenario</th><th>Details</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Event Timeline Reporting</td><td>In reporting systems where events are measured over long periods, use Calendar mode with Adaptive Precision to display only the most significant time units.</td></tr><tr><td>Time Tracking Applications</td><td>For time tracking or logging systems that require consistency, Fixed mode with a set MaxPrecision ensures uniform output.</td></tr><tr><td>Scientific Data Analysis</td><td>In scientific applications requiring extreme precision, Astronomical mode can provide accurate time differences down to very small units.</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Troubleshooting Tips

<table><thead><tr><th width="247">Issue</th><th>Solution</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Inaccurate Time Difference</td><td>Verify that the chosen <code>CalculationMode</code> aligns with the intended interpretation of time spans in your application.</td></tr><tr><td>Overly Verbose Output</td><td>Reduce <code>MaxPrecision</code> or enable <code>AdaptivePrecision</code> to streamline the output.</td></tr><tr><td>Insufficient Detail</td><td>Increase <code>MaxPrecision</code> if the output does not display enough time units for the desired clarity.</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Code Samples and Integration Examples

#### Basic Calculation Options Example

```csharp
using System;
using SiticoneNetFrameworkUI;

namespace CalculationDemo
{
    public class BasicCalculationDemo
    {
        public static void Main()
        {
            // Create an instance of the humanizer control
            SiticoneHumanizerDateTime humanizer = new SiticoneHumanizerDateTime();

            // Set a date that is 1 year, 2 months, and 5 days ago
            humanizer.Date = DateTime.Now.AddYears(-1).AddMonths(-2).AddDays(-5);

            // Use Calendar mode to get actual date differences
            humanizer.CalculationMode = SiticoneHumanizerDateTime.TimeCalculationMode.Calendar;

            // Set a maximum precision of 3 time units
            humanizer.MaxPrecision = 3;

            // Enable adaptive precision to dynamically adjust detail
            humanizer.AdaptivePrecision = true;

            // Output the humanized result
            Console.WriteLine("Humanized Date: " + humanizer.Humanize);
        }
    }
}
```

#### Fixed Calculation Mode Example

```csharp
using System;
using SiticoneNetFrameworkUI;

namespace FixedCalculationDemo
{
    public class FixedModeDemo
    {
        public static void Main()
        {
            // Instantiate the humanizer control
            SiticoneHumanizerDateTime humanizer = new SiticoneHumanizerDateTime();

            // Set a specific date (e.g., 400 days ago)
            humanizer.Date = DateTime.Now.AddDays(-400);

            // Set CalculationMode to Fixed (using constant values for months/years)
            humanizer.CalculationMode = SiticoneHumanizerDateTime.TimeCalculationMode.Fixed;

            // Define the maximum precision to display (e.g., years, months, days)
            humanizer.MaxPrecision = 3;

            // Output the humanized date difference
            Console.WriteLine("Fixed Mode Humanized Date: " + humanizer.Humanize);
        }
    }
}
```

#### Astronomical Calculation Mode Example

```csharp
using System;
using SiticoneNetFrameworkUI;

namespace AstronomicalDemo
{
    public class AstronomicalModeDemo
    {
        public static void Main()
        {
            // Create a humanizer instance
            SiticoneHumanizerDateTime humanizer = new SiticoneHumanizerDateTime();

            // Set the date to a value for a high precision calculation (e.g., 15 minutes ago)
            humanizer.Date = DateTime.Now.AddMinutes(-15);

            // Select Astronomical mode for precise time calculations
            humanizer.CalculationMode = SiticoneHumanizerDateTime.TimeCalculationMode.Astronomical;

            // Set the maximum precision to 2 for a simplified output
            humanizer.MaxPrecision = 2;

            // Output the humanized date/time
            Console.WriteLine("Astronomical Mode Humanized Date: " + humanizer.Humanize);
        }
    }
}
```

### Review

<table><thead><tr><th width="153">Aspect</th><th>Comment</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Functionality</td><td>Calculation Options provide a robust mechanism for computing time differences using various methods tailored to different application needs.</td></tr><tr><td>Flexibility</td><td>The availability of multiple calculation modes and precision settings ensures that the control can be adapted to a wide range of use cases.</td></tr><tr><td>Integration</td><td>Integrates seamlessly with the control's overall configuration, allowing developers to fine-tune the output to match specific requirements.</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Summary

<table><thead><tr><th width="255">Summary Aspect</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Time Difference Calculation</td><td>Offers three modes (Calendar, Fixed, Astronomical) to compute time spans, ensuring that developers can match the calculation method to their domain needs.</td></tr><tr><td>Precision Management</td><td><code>MaxPrecision</code> and <code>AdaptivePrecision</code> provide control over the level of detail in the humanized output, balancing between brevity and detail.</td></tr><tr><td>Versatility</td><td>Calculation Options enable both fixed and dynamic precision outputs, making the control suitable for diverse applications from event logging to scientific analysis.</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

| Question                                                 | Answer                                                                                                                                                                     |
| -------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| What is the difference between Calendar and Fixed modes? | Calendar mode uses actual calendar dates and month/year values, while Fixed mode uses constant durations (e.g., 30-day months, 365-day years).                             |
| How does Adaptive Precision work?                        | Adaptive Precision dynamically adjusts the number of displayed time units based on the overall time span, ensuring that the output is neither too detailed nor too sparse. |
| When should I use Astronomical mode?                     | Astronomical mode should be used when high precision is required, such as in scientific or time-critical applications.                                                     |

### Tips for Developers

<table><thead><tr><th width="323">Tip</th><th>Recommendation</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Choose the Correct Mode</td><td>Evaluate the nature of your date/time differences carefully to select the most appropriate CalculationMode for your application.</td></tr><tr><td>Test Different Precision Settings</td><td>Experiment with various <code>MaxPrecision</code> values to achieve the desired level of detail in the output.</td></tr><tr><td>Use Adaptive Precision for Flexibility</td><td>Enable <code>AdaptivePrecision</code> in scenarios where time differences vary greatly, allowing the control to adjust automatically.</td></tr></tbody></table>

***

By following this documentation for Calculation Options, developers can effectively configure the time difference computation logic of the `SiticoneHumanizerDateTime` control, ensuring that the humanized output meets the specific requirements of their .NET WinForms applications.
