You define import parameters in function calls and input validations for the export parameters of the function module or check function: You define a variable to which the parameter value is assigned in the PI sheet.
Import 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. Note, however, that the function may be carried out more than once in the course of PI sheet maintenance.
When defining an import 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
A new variable for the parameter value
The variable is valid within the PI sheet but not in the entire process order
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_IMPORT_PARAMETER |
Import parameter |
Export parameter of the function module |
Characteristic for the variable that has the same data type as the parameter (see below) |
Variable for the parameter value |
New variable name (see below) |
Notes on Variable Definition
Characteristics for Variables
A variable can only be assigned a parameter value if it has the same data type as the parameter in the function module. The characteristic you use to define the variable also determines its data type. The following characteristics are available:
Characteristic for variable |
Data type |
PPPI_DATE_VARIABLE |
Date |
PPPI_TIME_VARIABLE |
Time |
PPPI_FLOAT_VARIABLE |
Floating point number |
PPPI_STRING_VARIABLE |
Alphanumeric value |
Variable name
In general, you can choose any name for a variable. To avoid conflicts with other functions, do not use:
Variable name X
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