Besides the definitions of parameters and observations, there are other variables required in the PEST control file. These are specified in the PEST Properties dialog box. The help for the Pest Properties dialog box contains abbreviated descriptions of the functions of these variables. For fuller documentation, see the PEST documentation distributed with PEST. Most commonly, the NOPTMAX variable (Number OPTimization MAXimum) is varied to specify the PEST run mode, such as one forward run to assess the PEST workflow (NOPTMAX=0) or maximum number of parameter estimation tries to improve the model fit (for example, 15 tries would be NOPTMAX=15).
