How to Work with Projects > MCL-Tracer > Detailing the Variables Section

Overview

The Variables Section handles the variables contained in the project being analyzed in the MCL-Tracer session. It allows you to view all the variables that are used in the project and to identify which are being used during a specific time within the project's flow and the values/information they store. This information is provided by the Execution Flow Section (located to the left).

This section is divided into tabs - one tab per variable type (Global, Program (Pgm), Local, Application Parameter (App) and System) and an "Auto" tab (displaying the variable(s) present in the row you selected in the Execution Flow Section).

If the project being analyzed includes background procedures and a background procedure is called in the project's execution flow, a tab is generated for the Background Variables (Bkgrd).

The Variables Section

The Tab area is organized into tabs and each tab consists of four columns.

Tab area
Auto tab	Displays the variables, regardless of type, that are currently used in the execution row that is selected in the Execution Flow Section.
Global tab	Displays the Global type variables that exist in the project being analyzed.
Program tab	Displays the Program type variables that exist in the project being analyzed.
Local tab	Displays the Local type variables that exist in the project being analyzed.
Bkgrd tab	Displays the Background type variables that exist in the project being analyzed. This tab ONLY becomes visible after the background procedure is run in the simulation.
App tab	Displays the Application Parameters that exist in the project being analyzed.
System tab	Displays the System type variables that exist in the project being analyzed.
Columns for each tab
Id column	Provides the variable's Id.
Name column	Displays the name of the variable.
Value column	Displays the variable's value.
Length column	Informs you of the stored string's length.

The Variables Section's Color Code

The Variables Section uses color to identify the purpose of the displayed variables and if they are being used in real time. The displayed variables always refer to the row selected in the Execution Flow Section.

Black - The variable is defined in the project but is not in use by the control/process referenced in the selected row.

Red - the variable was written, meaning, it accepted data for storage.

Blue - the variable was read, meaning, its content was used in the control/process.

This is an example of what can be viewed in each tab when the same row is selected in the Execution Flow table:

Auto tab	Global tab	Program tab	Local tab

Contains the variables in use, regardless of type, in the selected row in the Execution Flow Section. The variable in red accepted data, the one in blue was read.	Displays all the Global variables contained in the project.	Displays all the Program variables contained in the project. If a variable has a different color, it means that it is being used in the selected row. Since, in this case, there is a variable in red, that means that data was written into it.	Displays all the Local variables contained in the event. If a variable has a different color, it means that it is being used in the selected row. In this case, there is a variable in blue, meaning, the content of this variable was read.
Bkgrd tab	App tab	System tab

Displays the Background variables contained in the project.	Displays the App Parameters contained in the project. Only 1 app parameter (in blue) had its content read.	Displays the System variables contained in the project.

Navigation/Info Display

•Variables Section Display

Use the arrows (located on the upper left corner of the Variables Section) to collapse () or expand () the Variables Section.

Expanded Variables Section	Collapsed Variables Section

It is possible to control the width of a column and manage the displayed information:

•Column Width

Use the drag-and-drop to enlarge or reduce a column or the area of the Variables Section itself.

1. Mouse over the border of the column or the area.

2. When the cursor changes to a "double-arrow", drag the cursor into the intended direction to enlarge/reduce that column/area.

•Column Sorting

Use the (located on each column's left upper corner) to sort the displayed variables in an ascending or descending order, as required.

Ex: The descending and ascending sorting of the "Name" column in the "Global" tab.

•Scroll Bar Navigation

Use the vertical scroll bar to navigate across the Variables Section.

If necessary, drag a column's dividing line left or right to create a horizontal scroll bar.

•Mouse Over for Information

If you mouse over a variable, in any column, a pop-up balloon with real time info on that variable is presented. It includes the variable's ID; length and value at that execution time.

The "Variable Detail" Window

The "Variable Detail" window provides the selected variable's details - ID, name and current value. The information is NOT editable.

To open it, double-click the intended variable.

Since this is a floating window, it stays open if you select another variable or open another tab. Its content changes/refreshes according to the selected variable.

The window provides several formats for the variable's content. Use the following buttons to change the format as needed:

Text (Proportional Font)

Text

(Non-proportional Font)

Hexadecimal

HTML

XML

JSON

If required, use the button to expose hidden formatting characters - this way you will be able to check for line break signs within the variable's content.

- Disabled

- Enabled

Variable Content with Disabled	Variable Content with Enabled