Variable and Variable Options Definition

Variables are general characteristics of items. Because many items can have the same characteristics, it would not be a good idea to maintain the characteristics of every item separately. So we first define the variables that we need, and then link them to the items. Depending on the data type of a variable we can define a set of possible values for it.

Note: You can specify short and long questions in any of the QAD supported languages. The short question can be up to 64 characters in length. You can also maintain the question in multiple languages. Click the String Translation button next to the question field, and enter the translation on the String Translation screen. To display the short and long question of each variable in each language, you can use Variable Language Browse.

The options are specified in the Variable Options tab and the numeric parameters are specified in the Data Format tab. When you enter variable options, use the arrow buttons on the toolbar to define the order in which you want the options to appear in the questionnaire. By default, the first option in the list is the default answer for the associated question. The entry N.A. stands for not applicable. Suppose that the answer to one question makes another question superfluous.

Note: If the variable is of type Text, Logical, Numeric List, or Date (Data Format = List), you can enter the option answers in any of the QAD supported languages. The short answer can be up to 64 characters in length. You can also maintain the answers in multiple languages. Click the String Translation button next to the answer field, and enter the translation on the String Translation screen. To display the answer for each variable option in each language, you can use Variable Option Language Browse.


Variable	Data Type	Functional Group	Question Type	Short Question	UM	Question / Temporary	Variable Options or Data Format
backup	Logical	Accessories	Normal	Backup	EA	Question	Yes No
backup-type	Text	Accessories	Normal	Backup Type	EA	Question	Alkaline NiCd LiS N.A.
country	Text	Technical Specs	Normal	Country	EA	Question	N/A [See note]
CPU	Text	Technical Specs	Normal	CPU	EA	Question	Standard High
Freq	Text	Technical	Normal	Frequency	EA	Question	500kHz. 10MHZ
Painted	Text	Technical	Normal	Painted	EA	Question	Painted Stainless
Portable	Logical	Technical Specs	Normal	Portable	EA	Question	Yes No
power	Text	Technical Specs	Normal	Power Converter	EA	Question	Smart Standard
steel-large	Numeric	Style and Size	Special	Qty - Large Steel	EA	Question	Digits: 8 Decimals: 0
steel-small	Numeric	Style and Size	Special	Qty - Small Steel	EA	Question	Digits: 8 Decimals: 0
U-area	Numeric	Style and Size	Special	Area	EA	Question	Digits: 8 Decimals: 0
U-color	Text	Style and Size	Normal	Color	EA	Question	Black White Other
U-Cover	Logical	Accessories	Normal	Keyboard Cover	EA	Question	Yes No
U-height	Numeric	Style and Size	Normal	Height	EA	Question	Digits: 3 Decimals: 0 Minimum: 80 Maximum: 200 Multiplier: 40 Default: 120
U-depth	Numeric	Style and Size	Normal	Length	EA	Question	Digits: 3 Decimals: 0 Minimum: 60 Maximum: 100 Multiplier: 20 Default: 60
U-type	Text	Style and Size	Normal	Display Type	EA	Question	Top Display Front Display
U-width	Numeric	Style and Size	Normal	Width	EA	Question	Digits: 3 Decimals: 0 Minimum: 60 Maximum: 160 Multiplier: 20 Default: 60
U-output	Logical	Accessories	Normal	Printer	EA	Question	Yes No

Note: A single variable can have more than one meaning. By defining a number of extents for such a variable, you can distinguish between its various meanings. For instance, if both the housing and the icemaker have a color, you can define a variable color and give it extent 2. Then you can use color[1] for the housing color and color[2] for the icemaker color.

Note: The industrial ultrasound is sold in many countries. To avoid entering each country as a variable option, use the QAD Configurator browse feature. When Allow Fill-In is selected, you can also associate the variable with an existing browse. If you assign a browse code to the variable, you can select an answer from the browse, instead of manually typing in the answer.