Adding an Argument to the Method

  1. Open the signature editor for the method.
  2. In the Signature Editor, go to the Arguments tab.
  3. Do one of the following:

    • Click the Add argument button
    • In the Argument menu, select Add.

    The new argument is added to the Arguments list with its name highlighted for in-place editing.

  4. Name the argument and press <Enter>.
  5. Specify the type of argument by selecting the value you want from the Argument Type combo box.

    The default argument type is cont.

    Note

    Since ASCET V6.3.0, composite and complex arguments are always explicit references, even though they are not marked with the overlay icon .

    In offline experiments, methods with composite arguments, i.e. array, matrix or component arguments, do not appear in the event generator. No event can be created for them, and they cannot be accessed during the offline experiment.

  6. If you selected an array or matrix of enumeration or record type, Closedthe following happens.

    The Choose a enumeration type or Choose a record type window opens.

    • In the 1 Database/1 Workspace field, select the enumeration or record you want to use, then click OK.
  7. To edit the size of an array or matrix argument, Closeddo the following.

    1. Open the Argument menu or the context menu and select Edit Max Size.

      The Max and Variant Size for: <argument> window opens.

    2. In the Max Size x (and Max Size y) field(s), enter the array or matrix size.

    3. To specify a variant size, use the Variant Size x (and Variant Size y) field(s) to select the system constants you want to use as dimension values.

      Both normal and user-defined system constants can be used. The value of a system constant should be in the range 1 ... X (or 1 ... Y).

    4. To specify a variable size, use the Variant Size x (and Variant Size y) field(s) to select *.

      The Max Size x (and Max Size y) field(s) are disabled.

    5. Click OK to close the window and accept your settings.
  8. Enter a unit for the argument in the Unit box.

    The unit is purely descriptive and does not influence the functionality of the class.

  9. Type a comment relating to the argument into the Comment box.

    Every argument or return value can have a comment associated with it. This comment is displayed when documentation for the component is generated.

  10. In the Direction combo box, select a direction for the argument.

    In – the argument can be read in the method; Out – the argument can be written in the method; InOut – the argument can be read and written in the method. See also Directions of Method Arguments.

    If the argument is of type array, matrix, or component, the selection in the Direction combo box also determines internal access to the referenced element: In – read access; Out – write access; InOut – read and write access.

See also

Variant Size for Arrays and Matrices

Variable Size for Arrays and Matrices

Explicit References

Constants and System Constants

Directions of Method Arguments

Editing Arguments and Local Variables

Assigning a Component as an Argument

Creating the Matrix Argument

Reserved Keywords