Variables

Information

• Variables are values which are changed by PLANTA software dependent on conditions and operations.
• Variables may be permanently programmed or determined by the customizer.
• Depending on the use, data is saved in variables or read from variables.
• Variables are used for the following purposes:
  • To search for data, using values stored in variables
  • To set a value as a standard value
  • To restrict a user’s rights to access data
  • To read the last value called up by a user, and make it available as input
  • To define cross-system data, which control the behavior of dependent data.

Details

• A user without access to customizing modules and customizing menu items
  • can use variables for filtering data.
  • cannot change existing variables or create new variables.
• A user with access to customizing modules and customizing menu items
  • can see information details on variables via Tools Variables Variables
  • can use variables for filtering data.
  • can use existing variables for customizing modules and functions.
  • can create new variables and change existing ones in the appropriate modules.

Variable type	Representation	Description
System variable	@<Number>	System variables are values which are clearly defined in the system. System variables are permanently programmed, and cannot be changed by the end user. They are applied session wide.
Global Variables	@G<Number>	Static variables, which are created individually. They are valid throughout the system and are user-dependent.
Dynamic Variables	@D<Number>	Dynamic variables store values which are dependent on user operations and are updated in the data item.
User Variables	@U<Number>	Static variables. They are user-dependent.
List Variables	@L<Number>	Variable which can contain several valus (list).
Manual Search List Variables	@M<Number>	Variable that holds several mixed records in a list.

Notes

• Data items of DB type X can have all variables types as a default value.
• Data items of DB type N2, N4, and N8 can only be set by system or dynamic variables of the same type. A calculation of form @15-10 is possible here.

System Variables (@)

Information

• System variables are values which are clearly defined in the system. System variables are permanently programmed, and cannot be changed by the end user. They are applied session wide.

System variable with special meaning:

Variable	Meaning
@83	This variable contains individually defined parameters.

Global Variables (@G)

Information

• Static variables, which are created individually. They are valid throughout the system and are user-dependent.

Note Global variables can be created and edited in the module of the same name.

Dynamic Variables (@D)

Information

• Dynamic variables store values which are dependent on user operations and are updated in the data item.

Note

• Dynamic variables can be created and edited in the module of the same name.

User variables (@U)

Information

• Static variables. They are user-dependent.

Details

• User variables can be used to:
  • restrict access rights to data.
  • make certain values available to the user as default values.

Note

• Dynamic variables can be created and edited in the module of the same name.

List Variables (@L)

Information

• Variable which can contain several valus (list).

Note

• You have to enter a value in the @L variable field to effect setting @L for the opening module (like in set_new_L_var(var_no, values)).
• List variables can be created and edited in the module of the same name.

Details

• set_current_L_var(var_no, values): Set @L for use in the current module, e.g. in filter criteria.

Example

mod_obj = ppms.get_target_module()
mod_obj.set_current_L_var(5, [4711])

• set @L5 in the current module to 4711

mod_obj = ppms.get_target_module()
target_obj = mod_obj.open_module(target_id)
target_obj.set_current_L_var(5, [4811])

• set @L5 in the module with the "target_ID" ID to 4811

• set_new_L_var(var_no, values): set @L for all modules which are opened from the current one.
  • If you open a new module, a copie of @L is created. The "new @L" of the current module is then "current @L" of the new opened module.
    • Example: if you set @L to 4711 with set_new_L_var() and than open a module and set in a previous module @L to 4811 with set_new_L_var(), the content of @L in the successor module is still 4711.

Manual Search List Variables (@M)

Information

• Variable that holds several mixed records in a list.

Details

• Variables for manual search lists can be used for filtering.
  • Advantages:
    • No manual additive search.
    • No complex customizing for workaround solutions.
• Filter criteria which do not form a uniform chain, e.g. different projects, can be loaded additively via manual search lists.
• The values per @M variable are linked to a logical „or"
• @M variables have a uniform assignment to the content of a data field, e.g. only project IDs in the @M variable for Project.

Note

• Variables for manual search lists can be created and edited in the Variables for Manual Search Lists module.