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Creating a Siebel Configurator Engine Read-Only Attribute

When you create an attribute that is Siebel Configurator engine read-only, it cannot be changed by the Siebel Configurator engine or a configuration rule. Siebel Configurator engine read-only attributes can only be changed by the user. This feature enables users to define attributes that can serve as an input to compute a valid solution but will not be updated as part of computing the solution. You can create a Siebel Configurator engine read-only attribute using the ConstraintReadOnly UI property. One example, is when you do not want the Siebel Configurator engine to overwrite specific attribute values.

For example, you create an attribute called Age to capture the user's age that defaults to an empty string. You would then write a rule that excludes the Under 18 Insurance Charge product when the Age attribute is greater than 18.

If the user sets the Age attribute value at 25, then the product Under 18 Insurance Charge appears in red in the UI because it is excluded. When the user tries to select the Under 18 Insurance Charge product, the application displays a configuration conflict error message. If the Age attribute is set to ConstraintReadOnly = Y, the UI does not display a Proceed option and the age attribute remains at 25 and the user cannot select the Under 18 Insurance Charge product.

If the Age attribute is set to ConstraintReadOnly = N, the UI displays the Proceed option. The proceed option selects the Under 18 Insurance Charge product and resets the Age attribute to a null value. The Age attribute value that is retrieved by Siebel Configurator will serve as a static input to compute a valid solution. If a valid solution cannot be found, then the engine will generate an error message without a Proceed option. The absence of the Proceed option prevents Siebel Configurator from overwriting the value of the Age attribute.

To create a Siebel Configurator engine read-only attribute:

1. Navigate to the Administration - Product screen, and then Product Definitions view.
2. In the Products list, select and lock the desired product.
3. In the Versions list, click the Work Space version.
4. Click the Properties view tab.
5. In the explorer display of the product on one side of the screen, select the desired read-only attribute.
6. In the Properties list, add a new record and complete the fields. Some fields are described in the following table.

   Field	Comments
   Name	Enter ConstraintReadOnly.
   Value	Enter a value for the property. The value is either Y or N.