You define changing parameters in function calls and input validations for the following changing parameters of the function module or check function:
Required changing parameters
Optional changing parameters for which you do not want to use the default value defined in the function module
To the parameter, you assign the variable whose value you want to transfer from the PI sheet to the function module. After the function has been carried out, the system returns the parameter value to this variable.
Changing parameters of function calls are displayed in the PI sheet.
You can also use the variable to transfer the value to succeeding process instructions of the same PI sheet. However, note the following:
The function can be carried out more than once in the PI sheet.
The function may change the parameter value.
The variable you assign to the parameter has been defined in a preceding process instruction of the same PI sheet or for the entire process order (see Use of Variables ).
When defining a changing parameter, you specify the following information in the process instruction:
A text for the parameter (in function calls)
In the PI sheet, the text is displayed before the parameter value.
In input validations, you need not define a text since the parameter values are not displayed in the PI sheet.
The parameter name
The variable for the parameter value
To enter this information, you assign the following characteristics to the process instruction:
Characteristic |
Meaning |
Allowed Values |
PPPI_INPUT_REQUEST |
Text (in function calls only) |
Any short text (see also Using Text Symbols ) |
PPPI_CHANGING_PARAMETER |
Changing parameters |
Changing parameters of the function module |
Characteristic for the variable that has the same data type as the parameter (see below) |
Variable for the parameter value |
Name of an existing variable |
Notes on Variable Assignment
You can only transfer the value of a variable to a parameter if it has the same data type as the parameter in the function module.
The data type of a variable is identical to that of the value to which it refers.
Depending on the data type, you must use one of the following characteristics to assign the variable in the process instruction:
Characteristic for Variable |
Data Type |
PPPI_DATE_VARIABLE |
Date |
PPPI_TIME_VARIABLE |
Time |
PPPI_FLOAT_VARIABLE |
Floating point number |
PPPI_STRING_VARIABLE |
Alphanumeric value |