Starting Guide
Variable Resolution
At some point the Robot will resolve the variables to their content.
During this topic, the content of the variables can contain more variables that may be also resolved or not depending on which commands you use.
Often variables are visualized as boxes that can contain something.
What is "variable resolution"?
It is the process, when a variable-name in the script is replaced with the variable-content.
In fact this is why variables are used.
Variable-resolution is: the robot takes the variable-name and replaces it with the variable content.
Generally the process is simple, but it can be more difficult in few cases. Let us see an example:
VAR.$$TXT=Computer
VAR.$$LIN=$$TXT
' Write the content of $$LIN in the Editor-Debug window
DBV.$$LIN
In this example, we first tell the robot that the variable $$TXT means "Computer".
In the second line, we tell it that $$LIN is the same as $$TXT, which means that $$LIN is also "Computer".
Looks easy. Is easy.
Resolving multiple variables
Lets make it a bit more tricky for the robot. What will the SPR do, if there are many variables in a variable?
' First we define three variables
VAR.$$TXA=Computer
VAR.$$TXB=Software
VAR.$$TXC=Center
' Now we assign them to $$LIN
VAR.$$LIN=$$TXA$$TXB$$TXC
' Write the content of $$LIN in the Editor-Debug window
DBV.$$LIN
The output is as expected:
VAR. resolved all the variables.
Now lets go one step ahead. What will happen, if there will be variables inside these variables? Will they also be resolved?l
To do this we use a special Command, that is VAB. This Command will just take the right side and not go through a variable-resolution.
' First we define three variables
' Note that i have used VAB. instead of VAR.
VAB.$$TXA=Computer
VAB.$$TXB=$$TXA
DBV.Variable TXB contains >$$TXB<
' Here we use VAR. again
VAR.$$LIN=$$TXB
' Write the content of $$LIN in the Editor-Debug window
DBV.Variable LIN contains: <$$LIN>
ENR.
What do we expect to get here?
$$TXB contains $$TXA
and that is the result that we get.
VAR. will resolve all variables on the first level, to be as binary compatible as possible, it will not make a "deep resolution".
Because this way, binary content inside a variable is safe. If you want a "deep resolution" choose VAV. instead.
Let us give it a try:
' First we define three variables
' Note that i have used VAB. instead of VAR.
VAB.$$TXA=Computer
VAB.$$TXB=$$TXA
DBV.Variable TXB contains >$$TXB<
' Here we use VAV. to get a deep resolution
VAV.$$LIN=$$TXB
' Write the content of $$LIN in the Editor-Debug window
DBV.Variable LIN contains: <$$LIN>
ENR.
This is the result:
Now when we deal with text this is mostly an less important issue. Variable resolution becomes important when we deal with files that contain elements that could possibly be resolved.
For example, you want to have the phrase "$$TXT is not 99" in a Variable $$LIN.
If you try this:
VAR.$$TXT=Computer
VAR.$$LIN=$$TXT is not 99
then $$TXT will immediately be resolved to "Computer" and you do not get what you want.
Therefore we have a couple of different VAR.-commands with different behavior about variable-types and variable-resolution.
If you use VAB. instead of VAR. it will work.
VAR.$$TXT=Computer
VAB.$$LIN=$$TXT is not 99
' Output Variable to Editor
DBV.$$LIN
Important!
How do you get the §-Character on non-german Keyboards?
Press "ctrl-B".
The SPRE-Editor will give you the § character when you press left "Ctrl" and "B" on your keyboard.
Pressing "ctrl-H" will give you the | (Pipe) Character.
Here are some of the different Methods to assign values to variables.
• The : - Definiton-Command
• VAR. - Variable Set Value/Clear
• VBA. - Variable Binary Append