Customizing Using Variables

Information

Variables are values which are changed by the PLANTA software subject to conditions and operations.
Variables may be hard-coded or they are determined by the customizer.
Depending on its use, data is either 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 by a user and make it available as input
- to define data across systems which control the behavior of dependent data.

A user with access to customizing modules and customizing menu items

can consult information on existing variables via the Tools → Variables menu items or by pressing the F6 key.
can use existing variables for filtering data.
can use existing variables for customizing modules and functions.
can create new variables and change existing ones in the respective modules.

Variable type	Layout objects	Description	Remarks
System variables	@<number>	System variables are values which are defined uniquely in the system. System variables are hard-coded and cannot be changed by the end user. They apply session-wide.	Particularity: System variable @83 contains individually defined parameters.
Global Variables	@G<number>	Static variables. They apply system-wide and are user-independent.
Dynamic Variables	@D<number>	Dynamic variables save values subject to user operations and are updated in the data item
User variable	@U<number>	Static variables. They apply user-independently.	User variables can be used to restrict access rights to data. make certain values available to the user as default values.
List Variables	@L<number>	Variable which may contain multiple values (list).	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)`). `set_current_L_var(var_no, values)`: Set @L for use in the current module, e.g. in filter criteria. Examples PY `mod_obj = ppms.get_target_module() mod_obj.set_current_L_var(5, [4711])` set @L5 in the current module to 4711 PY `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. When you open the new module, a "copy" of @L will be created. The "new @L" of the current module becomes the "current @L" of the newly called 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.
Variable for Manual Search Lists	@M<number>	Variable the search values of which are summarized as a list.	Variables for manual search lists can be used for filtering. Advantages: No manual additive search. No complex customizing for workaround solutions.

Notes

Data items of DB type X can have all variable 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.

Create and Manage Variables

Variables (except system variables) are created and managed in the eponymous modules under Customizer → Master Data

Modules of the panel

Filtering with Variables

Information

In addition to fixed filter criteria, variable criteria are often required.
In PLANTA, different types of variables can be used as filter criteria:

Variable type	Example as a filter criterion / particularities
System variables	@15= today's date, @36=First day of the current week @37= Last day of the current week, @42= First day of the current year, etc. Numeric system variables can also be used with calculations, e.g. @15-10. If the PLANTA software is used in a multi-language environment, it makes sense to use the following system variables when presetting the filter criteria. @Y = yes/activated checkbox, @N = no/deactivated checkbox,
Global Variables
Dynamic Variables	Numeric variables can also be used with calculations, e.g. with scale ranges @D4000+200. Joker functions can be used.
Variables for Manual Search Lists	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 by 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

When using variables in the filter criteria, the case of the characters must be considered.
- Filtering by @y on checkbox data fields results in zero hits, when filtering by @Y, all activated checkboxes are found.