Variables

All variables in the entire project are grouped by:

Variable	Description
Global Variables	List all global variables used and accessible throughout the entire program.
Program Variables	List the variables related to your specific selected program.
Retain Variables	List all variables to be retained when the system is powered down.

For each variable, the Dictionary toolbox allows you to set these parameters:

Field	Description
Attributes	The variable attributes are Read-only, External, IN, OUT. Read-only: A variable set as Read Only is a constant. It cannot be modified in the PLC "Programmable Logic Controller" A Programmable Logic Controller, PLC, or Programmable Controller is a digital computer used for automation of industrial processes, such as control of machinery on factory assembly lines. Used to synchronize the flow of inputs from (physical) sensors and events with the flow of outputs to actuators and events code, but it can be manually forced. See Force a Variable for more information. Read-onlyvariables can be mapped to Inputs but not to Outputs. Inputs can change state and a Read-only variable cannot change its value to match the input state. External: this attribute is not used. IN or OUT: Input or Output parameters of User Defined Function A function calculates a result according to the current value of its inputs. A function has no internal data and is not linked to declared instances. Blocks
Description	The variable description is a long comment text that describes the variable.
Dim.	To declare an array, specify dimensions for an internal variable. See Arrays for more information.
HMI "Human-machine interfaces " Also known as computer-human interfaces (CHI), and formerly known as man-machine interfaces, they are usually employed to communicate with PLCs and other computers, such as entering and monitoring temperatures or pressures for further automated control or emergency response	Select variables to be used in HMI. See Map Variables to HMI for more information.
Init value	The variable initial value when you start your application. See Variable Initial Value for more information.
Name	The variable name.
Syb.	Reserved.
Tag	The variable tag is a short comment, that can be displayed together with the variable name in graphical editors. Click for examples Edit the variable parameters. Add the variable to your FBD "Function Block Diagram" A function block diagram describes a function between input variables and output variables. A function is described as a set of elementary blocks program. Resize the rectangle to make the Tag and Description visible.
Type	The variable type (can also be UDFB "User Defined Function Block" UDFB can be used as a sub-function block in another program of the application. It is described using FBD, LD, ST or IL language. Input / output parameters of a UDFB (as well as private variables) are declared in the variable editor as local variables of the UDFB or complex structure). See Data Types for more information.
User Group	The variable user group (used for sorting variables).
Value	All the variables in the Dictionary are animated with real-time values 1 This column is only displayed when your application is running. See Variable Monitoring for more information.