Definition of Variables (SAP Library - Process Management (PP-PI-PMA))

Definition of Variables

Use

You define variables if you want to transfer the value of a message characteristic to another process instruction.

You can define variables in the following cases, for example:

Variables in entries to refer to the values to be entered
See also: Type 0: Definition of Entries

Variables in calculations to refer to the values to be calculated
See also: Type 0: Definition of Calculations

Variables that refer to characteristics whose values are assigned automatically;
See also: Type 0: Definition of Automatic Value Assignment

Variables in dynamic function calls to refer to the import parameters that are transferred to the PI sheet;
See also: Type 0: Definition of Import Parameters

Features

You can define a variable for every message characteristic of a process instruction. The data type of the variable is identical to that of the message characteristic (for example, CHAR or NUM).

The following types of variables are distinguished:

Simple variables (PPPI_VARIABLE)

Can be defined in PI sheets and process manufacturing cockpits
Are only valid for the PI sheet or cockpit in which they have been defined

Global variables (PPPI_GLOBAL_VARIABLE)

May only be defined in PI sheets and there may only be used in simple data requests

Activity

In PI Sheets

To define a variable, you assign one of the following characteristics immediately before the message characteristic in the process instruction:

Characteristic	Meaning	Value
PPPI_VARIABLE	Variable that is valid within the PI sheet	New variable name
PPPI_GLOBAL_VARIABLE	Global variable that is valid for the entire process order	New variable name

In Process Manufacturing Cockpits

To define a variable, you assign one the following characteristic immediately before the message characteristic in the process instruction:

Characteristic	Meaning	Value
PPPI_VARIABLE	Variable that is valid within the PI sheet or cockpit	New variable name

In general, you can choose any name for a variable. To avoid conflicts with other functions, do not use:

Variable name X
Variable names that start with SY_ since these are system variables predefined by SAP
Blanks and arithmetic operators as part of the variable name
The following character strings at the end of the variable name:

_<number>, for example, _1, _2

_COUNT

_SUM

For more information, see Using Variables in Browser-Based PI Sheets.