To initiate the solution, issue the SOLVE command.
Because the solution phase generally requires more computer resources that the other phases of an analysis, it is better suited to batch (background) mode than interactive mode.
The solver writes output to the output file (Jobname.out) and the results file. If you run the solution interactively, your display takes the place of an output file. By issuing the /OUTPUT command before SOLVE, you can divert the output to a file instead of the screen.
Data written to the output file consist of the following:
Load summary information
Mass and moments of inertia of the model
Solution summary information
A final closing banner that gives total CPU time and elapsed time.
Data requested by the OUTPR output control command
In interactive mode, much of the output is suppressed. The results file (.rst, .rth, or .rmg) contains all results data in binary form, which you can then review in the postprocessors.
Another useful file produced during solution is Jobname.stat, which gives the status of the solution. You can use this file to monitor an analysis while it is running. It is particularly useful in iterative analyses such as nonlinear and transient analyses.
The SOLVE command calculates the solution for the load step data currently in the database.