If a node dialog box is for a discrete node, immediately below the state name edit box will be a box labeled “Number”. This is to associate an integer or a real number value with each state. That number can be anything you choose, and should not be confused with the state index, which is an integer starting at 0 for the first state, and increasing by one for each subsequent state.
Usually you will not need to assign numbers to states, but sometimes it is useful. For example, the numbers may represent how many heads were obtained in 4 coin tosses. As another example, in a bang-bang control system, state 0 (“Off”) may map to -0.2 volts, and state 1 (“On”) may map to 6.0 volts. If this node is the parent of a node with an equation, then the real numbers will be supplied to the equation.
To set or change the real number associated with the current state simply type a number in the box. You may find it easier to use the Multi-Purpose Box to enter or change the real number associated with a state. You can also change this number by right-clicking on an unselected discrete node (or a selection of nodes) and choosing Modify → State Numbers. More info
Tips:
• To create a new node with node state numbers already assigned, right-click on the background and then choose Modify → New Node → Nature - Numeric Discrete. In the dialog box that comes up you can use shorthand notation like [5,10]+1.
• If the "numbers" you are assigning as state numbers have no real numeric significance (e.g. they are just identifying numbers), then you may want to make them node state titles instead, so that Netica doesn't try to interpret them as numbers.
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If you need to adjust Netica nodes to be able to read a case file in
which a categorical variable is indicated with integers (for example,
days of the week being 1 to 7, or gender being 1 or 2), you can assign
the appropriate integer to each state of the node as the state number.