Table Variables Variable Information

The variable information area is where you define the table variable.

Naming standards can be applied to system elements. Naming standards allow for a uniform naming structure to be applied to system elements and programs. Naming standards include prefixes or suffixes attached to the element and for case enforcement to be applied to any newly created element or any existing elements that are being edited. If a naming standard is in place, the pattern is displayed in the element name field. If the naming standard is required, an error message is presented if the entry does not meet the required pattern. This is an optional feature and may not be presented for all elements.

Table Variable Information Field

Table Variable Information Field

 

Screen Details

Table Variable Name - Entry for what you want the variable to be called. Alphanumeric characters are permitted, but no special characters (ex: &, *, ", +, @, etc.) are allowed. In the case of linked variables, each variable has its own name. If a naming standard is in place, a naming pattern is displayed in the name field. If the naming standard is mandatory, an error message is presented if your entry does not follow the pattern. Correct your entry and try again.

Type - Type of data associated with the variable. Options are:

  • Integer - Used for whole numbers
  • String - Used for any alpha numeric characters, including most special characters
  • Decimal - Used for numbers with decimal points
  • Date - Used for dates

In the case of linked variables, a different data type may be set for each. If disabled by the system administrator in the configuration file, the data type cannot be changed for any existing variables.

Default- Sets the default value of the variable. A default value is the value assigned to the variable if a match is not found in the variable table. If your table is designed so that there always is a match, then set the default value to either a very low number (0) or a very high number (999). By setting the default value to an extreme number, you can see during testing that the table does not have a match.

You also can set the default value to a valid value. For example, if most of the cities in a state get a territory code of 1, then you could set the default value to 1, and only have entries in the table for the cities that have a territory code other than 1.

For linked variables, a different default may be set for each.

Table Variable Default Value will not allow:

Name Character

Apostrophe

'

All other characters are allowed in a table variable default value.

Working Category - Sets the category where this variable will be run. For example, if you have an auto test case with three vehicles, any variable set in the vehicle category will be run three times, once for each instance of the vehicle.

You can select the working category from the drop down menu or you can browse for a working category by clicking Browse. This brings up the Browse Category window. From here you can navigate to the Category you want. Once you have selected the category, click OK. The category auto fills in the working category section.

The Working Category determines the options displayed in the Available Variables area. For example, if you select Policy as the Working Category, then the menu choices in the Available Variables area are Constants, Policy Fields, Policy Variables and Policy Results. If you select Vehicle, the options now include Vehicle Fields, Vehicle Variable and Vehicle Results along with Constants, Policy Fields, Policy Variables and Policy Results.

Data sources are not used in other variables and working categories are not used. It is recommended to keep data sources in the policy category.

Filter Rule - Filter rules are assigned to table variables, calculated variables, or algorithms to determine if the table variable should be run. Click the green check mark to add a filter rule. The rule can be removed by clicking the clear option. When a rule has been selected, the rule name is listed. See Filter Rules for more information.

Data sources do not have the option of filter rules.