Rockwell Automation 57C650 AutoMax Programming Executive Version 3.8 - Manual (Page 113)

7Ć1 Configuring Variables
7.0 CONFIGURING VARIABLES
The Variable Configurator is used to configure I/O points and
common memory variables in the rack. The Variable Configurator
allows you to map" names to bits and registers on I/O modules and
interface modules in the rack, as well as to common memory
variables on Processor and Common Memory modules in the rack.
Variables are configured using forms" (screens) that are specific to
each module. Mapping variables to physical locations on individual
modules and to common memory allows the programmer to create
application programs referencing variable names instead of actual
physical locations. All variable configuration data is downloaded to
the Processors in the rack before application tasks are put into run.
After selecting a module to configure and choosing Configure
Variables from the Configure menu in the Rack Configurator (or
doubleĆclicking the left mouse button on the desired module), the
Programming Executive will display the configuration form for that
module. Names for registers (and bits where applicable), as well as
descriptions, are entered in the fields displayed at the bottom of the
screen.
The variable configurator allows you to define bits (booleans),
integers (16 bits), double integers (32 bits), and real variables (32
bits). The bits within a register that is already defined may be defined
individually. Note that in this case neither the bits nor the register
can be forced while online. With the exception of registers on
generic modules, no single integer variable can also be defined as
part of a double integer variable. I/O points cannot be defined as real
variables. Refer to the programming language instruction manuals for
more information on variable types.
The remainder of this section is organized as follows:
7.1 Variables That Must Be Configured
7.2 Forms Used for Configuring Variables
7.3 Register Groups and Register Views
7.4 Entering Variable Names and Descriptions
7.5 Configuring I/O on Foreign and Unsupported Modules
7.6 Modifying Variable Names and Descriptions
7.7 Variables Menu
7.8 GoTo Menu
7.1 Variables That Must Be Configured
Variables that must be accessible to more than one task in the rack or
that are connected to a field I/O signal must be defined in the
Variable Configurator. These variables are called common"
variables. They can be accessed by all application tasks in the rack
that declare them COMMON. Both I/O variables and common
memory variables, i.e., those not connected to field signals, are
common variables in this sense and both must be defined in the
Variable Configurator. Local variables, those variables that do not
need to be accessible to more than one task in the rack, and that are
not connected to a field signal, are not configured in the Variable