Welcome to the JMP Development Update for April 25, 2025!
With JMP 19 EA8 frozen, Windows and Mac installers have been created and are being vetted by JMP QA teams. Once they sign off and installers are posted to MyJMP, product management plans to announce their availability to customers. As a reminder, we only have one remaining JMP 19 EA – EA9 will be freezing on 6/5/25.
JMP 18.2.1 is quickly nearing its Security Freeze and Code Freeze planned for next Friday, 5/2/25. Final installer candidates will be created on Monday, 5/5/25. Thanks very much to Jim Borek for working with the JMP Clinical team to integrate fixes into the track. Updates to third party libraries are also coming with 18.2.1. Thanks to Shannon Leslie, Travis Lapolla and all the security champions who have been working through the PLSR process for 18.2.1!
Much appreciation to Alex Taylor for presenting (and the whole JMP Live team for minding the chat) in Thursday’s Dev meeting! I hope you were able to tune in to hear Alex’s informative talk on how the JMP Live team transitioned to using Bitbucket/Git for source management. If you were not able to join live, you can find a recording here. Alex’s slides can also be found here.
Finally, thanks to Tonya Mauldin for sharing the Beta/Crash report from 4/4/25-4/25/25 with crashes selected!
Beta and crash report for April 4 2025 until April 25 2025 | JMP Live
General Announcements
- FYI: On April 29, John and Ginger Sall are matching JMP and SAS employee donations to local NPR station WUNC. You can read the details here on Inside SAS.
- Please visit the Dev update section on Inside JMP to see past updates.
- Please reach out to me or Beth Evans to be added to the JMP Dev list to receive future copies of the update via email as well as future JMP Dev meeting invites.
Important Upcoming Dates
- JMP 19 Review Mode – 5/23/25
- JMP 19 EA9 Freeze – 6/5/25
- JMP 19 Approval Mode – 6/13/25
- JMP 19 Security Freeze - 8/15/25
- JMP 19 Final Image Candidate – 8/18/25
- JMP 19 QA Signoff – 9/11/25
- JMP 19 posted to MyJMP – 9/16/25
- Please visit Confluence for a full list of JMP 18 and JMP 19 dates.
JMP Development Updates
Core
- Dave B:
- Created test cases for two anonymous users crashes - saving large pdf files and text explorer
- Partial fix for the crash saving pdf files, jmp still does not create the pdf file but writes a message to the log instead of crashing
- Fixed a mac 3d regression with the 3d settings dialog
- Fixed a bug with auto updating add-ins that was causing an occasional clinical crash
- Dan S: Continued work on Save Scripts in English. Support for the data sync warning icon in Fit LS. Empty Platform no longer turns on AutoRecalc automatcially - platform behavior is inherited. Data Filter updates - layout changed to provide more width to the column selector, busy indicator when working, and filter view will keep some controls hidden. Conversion of platform column list to Column Group() syntax is updated to better support nested groups.
- Evan: Discussed and filed Jiras found during Mimic Testing Framework and JMP Telemetry Explorer Add-In development. Completed initial telemetry analysis of JSL script use. Trying to wrap all remaining feature work that could affect screenshots.
- Morgan: working on Script Editor/Notebook preference bugs and some auto-completion bugs this week.
- Xan: Better truncation of duration formats on axes; Forced Values related bugs.
DOE and Reliability
- Congratulations to the DOE team on their many patents granted in 2024! You can see the details of their achievements highlighted in this Inside JMP article today.
- Caleb: This week was spent making slow progress on fixing CSALT bugs. I also attended DATAWorks virtually and saw some good talks on applying DOE and uncertainty quantification.
Hosting and Interfaces
- Paul N:
- Fixed Windows 18.2.1 Python update. The source code bundle does not contain the pip, or setuptools packages. Those need to be installed via an initial run of the built Python to pull those two packages from the internet. Once downloaded, my updated script picks them up and includes them into site-packages. Also pruned a couple packages from the python-secure python311.zip.
- Fixed JMP 19 EA-8 signing issue. An extra package ‘P4Python’ made it into the site-package with an unsigned shared library which caused the signing issue.
- Software Security
- PLSR Analyzer scans for JMP 18.2.1.
- Triaging and investigation of Snyk reports even though we updated our Python source. Turns out Snyk has not updated their database yet.
- Investigating building some of our 3rd-Party libraries using CMake. LibCurl will discontinue the winbuild tools this fall. Libzip has already discontinued other build tools in favor of CMake. HDF5 builds with CMake as well. Will need to build all of these from source for the Windows arm64 build.
Interactive HTML
- Mike Stickles: Fixed bug JMPHTML-1864 (Numbers overlapping on bar chart when published to JMP Live); as part of that work, developed JSL template to simulate JMP Live regenerations to make debugging easier, and published it on Confluence. Also fixed bug JMPHTML-1514 (Line charts with precalculated data sometimes drawn completely wrong). Fixed web parser tests for area and bar segments so they can be run independently, not just as part of the allTestNof4 tests. Currently working on JMPHTML-1407 (Legend setting on size role does not work on HTML5); have identified the two spots which cause the problem and am working on the fixes.
- John Powell:
- Created Sprint Review for Sprint 19-7.
- Worked on Scatterplot 3D:
- Updated Heatmap tooltips to only display tooltips when hovering over a cell rather than near a cell (JMPHTML-14335).
- Investigating an issue with tooltips for a CellPlotBox used a way not yet supported (JMPHTML-14530).
- Performed whitebox testing and reported several issues.
- Praveena: Worked on the following issues
JMP Live
- Aurora: Bug fixing (audit log records for actions by "unknown" users, *.csv downloads opened in Microsoft Excel, handling of BMP image files). Passed along new categorical X info to client for control charts. Brainstormed with Aaron and Dieter about ways to simplify permissions in future versions of JMP Live. After my PC was wiped and reset, improved various Confluence articles on how to set up a new developer PC for working with JMP Live.
Statistics
- John Sall
- For Fit Generalized (non-Pro) I disabled the Profiler and Inverse Prediction if an Offset column is used (JMP-25852).
- For the Profiler Optimizer, worked with others in enabling multithreading, ongoing, requested by Chris for BO (JMP-25826).
- In various places, fixed "Save Scripts in English" situations (JMP-25901,JMP-25901).
- For the Profiler, add 'Hide Desirability Row' command for Chris Gotwalt for BO (JMP-25954).
- For the Contour Profiler, draw a line around the clipping oval (JMP-25394)
- Laura C-S: Continued fixing bugs in MIIV-2SLS involving equality constraints in a variety of conditions. Fixed a couple of bugs involving Saving Scripts in English (thanks Dan Schikore!). Met separately with Taylor Ferguson and Ryan Lekivetz to discuss instrumental variables. Provided feedback on Haley’s upcoming blog post re: her add-in. Met with Larry LaRusso and John Mosier to discuss SEM SKP page content. Assembled email list from SPSP workshop and shared with academic team. Enjoyed volunteering at Burkett Farms for a few hours. Submitted and abstract for Discovery Americas.
Stat Documentation
- Michael C: Reviewed (with Karen Copeland and Colleen McKendry) some strings for the Easy DOE team; worked with my team to get our 2025 goals finalized and entered into Workday; making doc updates related to NF work in Fit Model platforms; sent updated Recurrence chapter out for technical review.
Stat Testing
- Mark: Fixed a unit test script because the random stream of numbers used to generate random coefficients in Easy DOE was no longer different between Mac and Windows. Testing the Bayesian Optimization platform with Yeng.
- Jacob: Testing BayesFlo. Reading Irene’s paper and planning unit tests.
Investigating potential performance issues. Testing pending changes to CSALT Design.
- Tonya: Working on unit tests for Process Screening and bug verification.
Life Sciences Updates
- Drew: JMP Clinical Jira work for 19 and 18.2.1. Triage and resolve issues for Amgen. Found and fixed a nasty little bug in the JMPC build infrastructure that was breaking the JMP Clinical version of JMPRunner.
- Richard: Made and distributed videos for 19.0 Clinical Features. Resubmitted a student research manuscript. Planning for 20.0.
Product Management and Product Marketing
- Kaylee: We had a sales enablement training around the JMP Marketplace on Tuesday. This training started by sharing the value of the Marketplace to customers and then gave presenters the opportunity to showcase 5 featured extensions on the JMP Marketplace and how they could fit in with different customers. If you want to watch this training it is recorded and linked at the top of the JMP Marketplace sales sheet. Also, Sara published the April Sales Enablement update on Inside JMP here.
- Bryan: Continued to work on graphics (InstallShield, FavIcon for JMP Live, and icons). As far as I’m aware, I’ve completed all the JMP 19 icon requests. I also added support for dark mode support in the JMP Live Theme. I reviewed strings for JMP Live. I coordinated with Sarah Gilyard and Sarah Sylvestre on an upcoming usability study for Profiler updates and created a screener survey. Also created some defects based on some issues that Sarah Sylvestre found with the JMP Live theme.
Technical Support and Engagement
- Wendy:
- The Support teams are working on some projects which came out of Reunion discussions and work continues on the update of the main Tech Support Confluence page. Engagement is spending time working with Sage and ensuring that she feels connected to the team in the US and London.
- Below are the usual graphs for case volume as well as topics for both Tech Support and Engagement. Here are the TS JMP Live reports and the link to the Jira filter showing the tickets reported by Support for the last 14 days.
- Technical Support Case Volume by week:
- Case Topics for Technical Support queue, last week:
- Engagement Support Case Volume by week:
- Case Topics for Engagement queue, last week:
Development Operations
- Shannon L: JMP 18.2.1 end-of-cycle tasks, including PLSR reviews and a support call with Snyk. Created a proposal for monthly security releases, including changes in process - to be reviewed with stakeholders next week. Meetings with Product Management. Met with CIS regarding current status of migration off SAS systems. Weekly technical meetings. Continuing to reduce user counts on our Atlassian tools.
- Melanie:
- Covered EA8-EA9 Sprint transition with Shannon L.
- Dredged up memories of handling filename-markers-gone-astray for Trish.
- Polished Branching Tasks table for 18.2.2 (launching next week).
- Worked on scripting template migrations for JMP Live Help for 19.0
- Validated sample data files for localization after weekend’s stringbot run
- Myron: JMPTOOL-1561 – Sample data on the AWS server (ran fairly well)
JMPTOOL-1477 – rewriting the Jenkins jobs that load data from the testbot run output files. Investigated crash comments not showing up in Salesforce cases (case# 00199255)
- Shannon C: Investigated mystery crashes and reviewed old crash Jira issues. Marked several items test-ready for verification as they appeared to have been fixed. Discussions around monthly security release proposal and review of EA issues.
- Jim: Many integrations for JMP 19.0 EA and Clinical 18.2.1; thanks to Paul Nelson for the late fix for JMP-26019! Reported JIRAs for JMP 19 leaks.
Localization
- Allison: Prepped the translation package for 19.0 Sample Data and handed it off to the Japanese and Chinese translation teams; investigated and communicated with developers and translation teams regarding the translation queries on Sample Data and Portable UI; worked with Howard on setting up Jenkins job to automate copying localized Doc Library title page files and Documentation pdfs to the designated delivery folder in P4.
- Trish: Review new jmp.com pages for localized doc. Triage localization queries. Review over sample data kit before handoff. Review projects/dates for 19.0 handoffs - making adjustments to the schedule as needed. Looking at JA help issues for 18.2 that Chris has been triaging. Looking into Ying’s ideas to automate a few of the processes used to create localized PDFs.
- Ying: Continuing to check EN screenshot scripts for EG and retaking screenshots if needed (JMPLOCTOOL-736). Five chapters have been completed and four Jira bugs opened for the Documentation team to correct certain screenshot scripts. Summarized the steps that can be automated in the process of creating a PDF.
- Sandy: Continued testing and refinement of new string return process program for Portable UI. Began new return process development for sample data and builtins.
- Krzysztof: Testing new localization Return job and script for JMP UI. Worked on date formats for non-EN-US locales for JMP Live. Helping launch SampleData 19.0 project for localization. Further refining code review process.
- Sohail: Explored different BitBucket/Git functionalities for L10N repo and updated documentation for making and reviewing PRs. Developed and began testing UI for RAG pipeline LLM.
Documentation
- Susan C:
- Quick Start updates - Working with Trish & Mandy to plan dates for this happening. Mandy offered to look over/test the updates.
- JMP Live - Working on implementing Eric’s updates to our JSL content.
- Devon: Continued work on the data connectors doc updates for 19.0, published a Confluence page on the current status of our JSL syntax highlighting plugin for XML, and cleaning up our FrameMaker conversion table based on errors found by the doc team.
- Chris: Built the Japanese 18.2 help again and tracked down differences between it and the English 18.2 help. Reviewed DJ edits.
- Khawar: Oxygen callouts - UG is ready for review; Created a list for FLM images; Started making a list for JSG images.
System/Host Testing-Cary
- Mandy: Worked on EA8 installer testing – tracked down a few table script issues, but don’t think we have a show stopper yet; Worked on verifying JIRA’s and writing a few JSL test to add to my framework testing; Created a few tables with tags and filter views to drop out on JMPSRV01/Users/Chambers directory for folks to use to test the fix that went to 18.2.1 to make sure if you open a table with new features from 19, you don’t save and overwrite it without a warning first – that seems to be working well; Continue to review fixes for things and work on 19 – tables, tags, tests writing, emojis, tabulate – with tags!
- Nick H: I have been adjusting to working in London, where my new work hours are 10am to 6pm (5am to 1pm ET). This week I fixed an issue with the AllJMPJiraIssues.jmp where the description column was not populating correctly or at all in some cases. I filed several bugs and suggestions for improvement for Notebooks. Added to unit tests for notebook export to WFB. Continuing 19.0 bug and feature verifications.
- Audrey: EA 8 testing, tweaking a few table scripts in our samples, thinking about a monthly release cadence, summer intern planning.
Web Testing – Cary
- Hui:
- Reported 16 issues on HTML5 Menu, Marker, Process Screening, Tooltip, etc. Verified 17 bug fixes and closed issues.
- Tested Fit menu for Bivariate on HTML5 and reported a couple of minor issues.
- Attended HTML5 developers’ Whitebox Testing Report meeting where developers shared what they found during the Whitebox testing session. It’s very interesting.
- Attended HTML5 automation testing meeting to know status of HTML5 automation.
- Natalie: Continued updates and additions to Control Chart testcases for HTML automation. Monitored open Jira ticket for failures in daily automation run.
- Anna: Verifying fixes and testing Scatterplot 3D on desktop and in HTML5.
System/Host Testing-Beijing
Note from Shannon
Today I noticed this Nature article highlighting a research publication that identified the genes encoding three traits in the garden pea studied by citizen scientist Gregor Mendel 160 years ago. Genes for four of the seven traits he studied were previously identified (seed shape, plant height, seed color and flower color) while the genes determining pod color, pod shape and flower clustering were more recently confirmed by genomics researchers.
If you’ve ever taken a biology or genetics class, you probably did an exercise using Punnett squares to cross two parent genotypes with dominant, recessive or codominant traits to predict the probability of those traits in their offspring. And if you did, it’s more than likely the example used a pea trait. Mendel did his experiments long before the concept of genes even existed. He concluded that parent plants passed along hereditary “factors” to their offspring like seed shape or pod color. He was definitely ahead of his time!
