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Using Allocators

This item is used to make changes to the value of variables. A change to a variable value is called an allocation. An Allocator item can include more than one allocation.Creating an Allocator involves selecting options from the dropdown lists of the Allocator Definition dialog:

Left-hand dropdown: Specifies the variable that the allocation will change. You can also create a new variable.

Center dropdown: Enables you to add a value to the variable, set the variable (using equals), or subtract from the variable. The Equals is used to perform a straight allocation. If the variable is some form of counter, the operation may be set to Add (to count up) or Subtract (to count down).

Right-hand dropdown: Enables you to either set a hard coded value for the variable, or to select an existing element that determines the value of the variable.

Other settings are described in the following table:

Setting

Description/Notes

Reference name

The name of the Interaction element. The name should be unique, so it can be used for referencing. The reference name appears only in Design view. It is not visible to users.

Add Allocation

Clicking this button allows you to specify the variables to be changed by the Allocator (each of these is an allocation).

Up/Down/Delete

These buttons enable you to order an allocation (by moving it up or down in the list), or remove an allocation.

Use existing element

When selected, the variable is updated by another item in the application. Select the relevant element from the dropdown list below the checkbox. When the checkbox is cleared, you can enter a value into the textbox directly (e.g., the value 21).