Scope

Variables, indicators and parameters can have different scopes. Setting the scope to something other than Block scope, allows the variable to be used in other blox. The other blox would need to have a variable with the same name, and defined as external.

Only IPV's and BPV's can be defined as External, so to create an external Parameter define as a BPV and to create an external Indicator define as an IPV Series.

IPV

Block -- You can only use this variable in the scripts that are in the block.

System -- You can use this variable in any block in the System by declaring the variable as External in the other blocks.

Simulation -- Same as System scoped except the value is not reset for every test (parameter run).

To use a System or Simulation scoped IPV in another block, define an external IPV of the same name in the other block.

BPV

Block -- You can only use this variable in the scripts that are in the block.

System -- You can use this variable in any block in the System.

Test -- You can use this variable in any block in the Test.

Simulation -- Same as Test scoped except the value is not reset for every test (parameter run).

To use a System, Test, or Simulation scoped BPV in another block, define an external BPV of the same name in the other block.

Parameter

Block -- You can only use this parameter in the scripts that are in the block.

System -- You can use this parameter in any block in the System.

Test -- You can use this parameter in any block in the Test.

To use a system or test scoped parameter in another block, define an external BPV of the same name in the other block.

Indicator

Block -- You can only use this indicator in the scripts that are in the block.

System -- You can use this indicator in any block in the System.

To use a System scoped Indicator in another block, define an external IPV of the same name in the other block.

All variables, parameter and indicators are reset between every test run, for a multi stepped parameter run. This reset happens just before the Before Test Script. The IPV's and BPV's are reset to their default value, the parameters are set to the new stepped value, and the indicators are all recomputed. Setting the IPV's or BPV's to simulation scope will prevent the values from being reset to the default value. This can be useful when keeping track of a value over the course of many stepped tests, or when loading external data in the Before Simulation Script.

Because all the values are reset just before the Before Test Script, the Before Simulation Script has no access to indicators or parameters, as they are not set yet. Any IPV's or BPV's that are set or loaded in the Before Simulation Script will be reset to their default value unless they are defined as Simulation Scope.