Parameters in a Bottom-Up Data Exchange

When you are working with parameters in a bottom-up data exchange, you can create a member of a new or existing aggregate parameter by typing a parameter name containing a period. For example, typing "a.b" creates the aggregate parameter "a" with member "b".

You cannot create an array by typing the name of an array element (e.g., x[5]). If you do, the Data Exchanger component displays a warning message in the Status Bar. If you want to create an array, click the Create Parameter () button below the Parameters table and enter the information in the Create Parameter dialog box.

Note: When using the Table or Vector format, you can create an entire array by selecting multiple numbers and typing a parameter name in the Parameter list.

Parameter are created using default settings based on the type of action (read or write) and the selected data:

  • If this is a Read action, the parameter has mode output; if this is a Write action, the parameter has mode input.

  • If one word, cell, or item is selected, the parameter is scalar. If multiple values are selected with the Table or Vector formats, an array parameter is created. The size of the array matches the size of the selection.

  • The data type is selected to match the type of data selected. If the selection only includes one block of digits (and leading or trailing spaces), the data type is integer. If the selection looks like a real number (–99.99e–99]), the data type is real. Otherwise, the data type is string.

    Note: Selecting data such as “12 34” will use the data type string, not an array of 2 integers.

  • The initial value of the parameter is the same as the selected data (with leading and trailing spaces removed).