VariableInitialize ( name ; initialValue )

Creates a Global, or Local, variable with the value specified AND logs it's instantiation to a centralized variable log

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Jonathan Mickelson - Show more from this author

Sample input:

VariableInitialize ( "$$TestVar"; 73 )

Sample output:

$$TestVar = 73
AND
$$GlobalVarList =
$$GlobalVarList|0
$$TestVar|73

Function definition: (Copy & paste into FileMaker's Edit Custom Function window)

Let ( 
[ 
// Initialize Central Variable Log Log if Necessary 
$$GlobalVarList = Case ( PatternCount ( $$GlobalVarList ; "$$GlobalVarList") = 0 ; "$$GlobalVarList|0" ; $$GlobalVarList ) ;

// Incomming Parameters 
var = Case ( PatternCount ( name ; "$" ) = 0 ; "$$" & name ; name ) ; 
iniVal = Case ( IsEmpty ( initialValue ) ; 0 ; initialValue) ; 

// Test if variable already exists - Prepares result for user feedback 
result = 
Case ( 
PatternCount ( $$GlobalVarList ; var ) = 1 ; 2 ; 
PatternCount ( $$GlobalVarList ; var ) = 0 ; 1 ; 
0 ) ;

// Initialize/SetVariable to entered Value 
letTxt = "Let ( " & var & " = " & iniVal & " ; \"\" )" ; 
initialize = Evaluate ( LetTxt ) ; 

// Log Variable if first Time it's Initialized 
$$GlobalVarList = Case ( result = 1 ; $$GlobalVarList & ¶ & var & "|" & iniVal ; $$GlobalVarList ) 
] ; 
result 
) // END LET

Requires FileMaker 8 or higher.

Creates a Global, or Local, variable with the value specified AND logs it's instantiation to a centralized variable log, in another tracking global. This tracking global, "$$GlobalVarList", becomes a single centralized location to track and manage variables for the file.

The Data Viewer in FileMaker Advanced can easily be instructed to expose the central tracking global "$$GlobalVarList" thus allowing the developer to view all variables used, or intended to be used, in the file.

A best practice *may* be to use this function to instantiate all variables in a single spot, preferebly an Open Script, rather than at time of need.

Its is possible for local variables to exist outside a script, but their scope is nuanced when they do. If a Local variable (single $) is specified with this custom function it's behavior will follow local variable rules, thus it may behave differently if instantiated within a script or without, as well as return different values with or without, depending .

NOTE: another CF named "VariableDestroyAll" can be used to remove all global variables using the variable log found in "$$GlobalVarList".

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Note: these functions are not guaranteed or supported by BrianDunning.com. Please contact the individual developer with any questions or problems.

VariableInitialize ( name ; initialValue )

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