Public or Private Variables

A Variable ID can be a public or a private variable.

A component designer can make a Variable ID in a linked object either public or private. Using:

Variable	A Screen Designer:
Public variables	Can enter a value for the Variable ID in the link container, thus making some values unique to that container.
Private variables	Cannot change the value for the Variable ID in the link container.

Example

The following example demonstrates configuration for a source/linked object.

	Source object configuration
	Linked container configuration
	Linked object runtime test
	Later changes

Source Object Configuration

A source object group includes the following objects.

1	Label that identifies the tank.
2	Tank that will fill based on an assigned variable value.
3	Text object that reports the runtime level.
4	Text object that reports the maximum allowed level.

Following is the configuration for the source object group.

Item Type	Name	Level	Public/ Private	Value assigned at the Source	Comments
Name	TANKS	Top level group	NA	TANKS	TANKS is the source object name for a group that includes a tank and a label.
Variable	LABEL	TANKS	Public	No value	Text object that can be changed for the linked container.
Variable	FILL_LEVEL	TANKS	Public	No value	Value is a point that can be changed for the linked container. FILL_LEVEL is assigned to the: Tank fill animation. TANK LEVEL text.
Variable	Maximum_Fill	TANKS	Private	15000	Value cannot be changed for the linked container. Maximum_Fill is assigned to the: Tank fill animation. Max FILL text.

Linked Container Configuration

Because the tank is a SmartObject, when a screen designer creates a linked object, a SmartObject Configuration dialog box opens.

The screen designer enters the following values.

Field

Variable

Value

Description

Fill Value

Public

TANK101

A point that reports the actual level in TANK101.

Maximum Fill Level

Private

50000

Although the field appears to be read/write, 50000 will not be the value used.

The source object's private variable had been assigned the value, 15,000, which will be the value used.

Once the object is placed on the CimEdit screen, the screen designer

The Link Container tab confirms that the object is a link container.

Notes

TANK101 is already entered.

The variable Maximum_Fill_Level is not listed because it is a private variable and the value cannot be changed.

Linked Object Runtime Test

The following occurs when the CimView screen with the linked object opens.

	Object	Value	Variable	Entered in the:
1	Label	"TANK101"	Public	Link container's Properties dialog box.
2	Maximum Fill	15000	Private	Source object's Properties dialog box.
3	Fill Value	TANK101	Public	Link container's SmartObject Configuration dialog box.
4	Fill Value	TANK101	Public	Link container's SmartObject Configuration dialog box.
5	Maximum Fill	15000	Private	Source object's Properties dialog box.

Later Changes

After the linked container was inserted on a CimEdit screen, the screen designer decided to change some source text to red.

The linked container screen is closed and re-opened.

The text that was changed in the source has changed to red in the link container.

Basic Principles about linking objects.