Parameter Usage Within the Calculator

There are some limitations when you are working with parameters in the Calculator adapter.

Parameter names that contain only letters and numbers (and do not start with a number) can be typed in directly. Other parameter names must be surrounded by single quotation marks. If the parameter name contains a single-quote character, add another quotation mark (for example, 'Don''t').

The Calculator adapter supports undeclared parameters.

Any parameter name used in the calculation is created as a parameter when you click Calculate, Apply, or Ok. Automation Process Composer attempts to determine the correct mode (input, output, in/out, or local) of the parameter, data type (real, integer, or string), and structure based on how the parameter is used. If there is insufficient information to determine the data type and structure, Automation Process Composer creates a real scalar parameter.

When you click Ok to close the Calculator Editor, each parameter’s mode is updated to reflect how the parameter is used in the calculation as follows:

• If the parameter is assigned, the mode becomes output.

• If the parameter is referenced, the mode becomes input.

• If the parameter is referenced and then assigned, the mode becomes In/Out.

Automation Process Composer follows these rules to ensure that existing parameter mappings are not broken.