Table of Contents

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Description

CFL provides a means for creating temporary variables which can greatly simplify coding and debugging. This page explains how to create and use these variables. See Also

How To Use Declare and Case Statements To Simplify Layouts.

Concept

Basic Discussion of Approach

We use Declare statements to make the code easier to read and follow. Instead of embedding long strings of “If/then” statements or other complicated formulas in one long formula, we break them up using easily understood labels for what each set of code (Object) is doing.

Cautions

CFL pulls all the code for a Product into one large formula. We have found that Declare variables, while temporary, should not be duplicated in the formulas used in a product; so we make each one unique to the variable or form it is being used with.

Steps

  1. Open the CFL formula builder where you are creating code: The format is “Declare” followed by the name of the temporary variable. If you inadvertently select a name already in use by a variable, the color will change to blue. Similarly if you select a name which has been used for a Constant, the color will also change to a maroon. If you are going to use your variables in a formula, you can do so but must “Declare” them before the formula. The name is followed by the := (colon + equal sign) after which you enter the formula you want. You terminate the code with a semi-colon for all lines. The last line/set of code in CFL should not have the semi-colon termination. Unlike some other code conventions you do not need to indicate the type of variable you are creating – IE string, number, “Yes/No” (Boolean); but when creating “Yes/No” variables, we set the code up so the type is obvious – E.G. Declare VariableHasAValue := IF MaterialType “” Then TRUE Else FALSE Endif; You can then use the code in your formula like any other Boolean variable. Using the example code here and combining that with the code below, you could have a formula like – If VariableHasAValue Then SalePrice * ProductMarkup * Quantity Else 0 Endif.
  1. code

Create a temporary variable for the Markup % Declare ProductMarkup := IF ProductMarkup > 0 THEN 1/( (100-ProductMarkup)/100) ELSE 1 ENDIF ; Create temporary variable for the cost of a single unit

List Price Value returns cost per square foot Declare SalePrice := ListPriceValue(UnitPriceList)* Area In SqFeet; Return the Total Price

SalePrice * ProductMarkup * Quantity

code

Source

Contributor: Steve Gillispie, Acorn Sign Graphics

Date: 2/20/2011

Version: Control 04.50.1102.0401

See Also