Pathfinder Networks

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JPathfinder is the Java version of the software. It runs on any computer with an up-to-date version of Java (free). Some sample data files and a terms file are placed in a "jpf" directory for experimentation. This software is now very stable, but please report any problems or bugs. You also should download fresh copies before starting new projects to take advantage of any fixes that have been made.

If you run into problems running the jar files, it could be due to a problem with file type associations on your computer. The easiest and most effective way to solve this problem is to run a small program called jarfix developed by Johann Löfflmann. Search for jarfix, and you will find sites for downloading jarfix.exe. Run this program once, and it will setup the proper file associations to allow you to run executable jar files by simply double clicking them.

.... updated: 22 February 2017 6:00 PM MST ....

Executable jar file: Download JPathfinder.jar (4.7 Mbytes)
Documentation:  Download JPathfinder.doc

The Quick Guide provides an overview of JPathfinder and
some advice on using the software. Download JPathfinder Quick Guide


JRate is a Java program for collecting pairwise relatedness ratings.

Executable jar file: Download JRate.jar (4.7 Mbytes)

How to use: Download JRate.doc


JTarget  is a Java program for collecting relatedness ratings by moving terms. It may not render properly on the Macintosh.

Executable jar file: Download JTarget.jar (4.7 Mbytes)

How to use: Download JTarget.doc

Matlab version of Pathfinder (9.0)

A MATLAB Pathfinder APP is available. It creates a folder, "pfdir" in your user folder. The folder, pfdir, is used by the APP and it contains some sample proximity data and terms files to get you started.

Download Pathfinder 9 for PC (Windows) ............. Updated 21 Sep 2023

The Mac version cannot be updated so an older version is all that is available. Download Pathfinder 9 for Mac ... 22 Feb 2017

You can also download an App for MATLAB which also requires the Statisics and Machine Learning Toolbox.

Download Pathfinder App

You may run into some permission issues when installing the software. On the PC, Windows may try to prevent installation, but clicking "more info" will give you the option of opening it anyway. On the Mac, you first have to unzip the app by double clicking the zip. This usually goes ok, but then when you try to open the Installer, you will get the "Unknown Developer" message. Try right clicking (or Control click) and then Open. When that doesn't work, try it again and you should get the option to open it anyway.

Windows "protection" may cause some problems installing the app. Look at the following for information:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5egJCJlq7M&ab_channel=Websplaining

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/switching-out-of-s-mode-in-windows-4f56d9be-99ec-6983-119f-031bfb28a307#WindowsVersion=Windows_11

Documentation is accessible from the APP under "Help"

You can also download the documentation here:

Download Pathfinder9.docx ............. Download QuickPathfinder9.docx

Download Pathfinder9.pdf ............... Download QuickPathfinder9.pdf

A paper summarizing Pathfinder networks with examples of its use:

Schvaneveldt, R. W., Durso, F. T., & Dearholt, D. W. (1989). Network structures in proximity data. In G. Bower (Ed.),   The  psychology of learning and motivation: Advances in research & theory,   Vol. 24 (pp. 249-284). New York: Academic Press. Download PDF

The Pathfinder Book which is out of print:

Schvaneveldt, R. W. (Editor) (1990).   Pathfinder associative networks: Studies in knowledge organization. Norwood, NJ: Ablex.
Download zipped PDF of the chapters in the Pathfinder Book

More papers are available for downloading at Roger's Papers

Here is a list of functions performed by the software.