Managing Global Variables

Global variables can be used in various tools of Foresight Analytics Platform: creation of report headers and footers, setting parameter values or generation of expressions. Global variable values can be set from the object navigator or using the Fore language (for details see description of the ISharedParams interface). Global variable values are the same for all repository users.

NOTE. On using a mandatory access control mechanism in repository, only administrator and users included in the administration group will be able to create and modify global variables.

To work with global variables, use the Global Variables page/tab in the Parameters dialog box.

To open the dialog box

Web application Desktop application

The Global Variables tab contains a table with a list of global variables and its parameters.

By default, the list always contains system global variables that cannot be removed or edited:

METABASE_SERVER. The variable value corresponds to the server pseudonym where repository is stored.

METABASE_DATABASE. The variable value corresponds to the database identifier (repository). If Microsoft SQL Server 2008 driver type is specified in repository settings, and a custom schema is used in database, the variable value looks as follows: <database>.<database schema>.

METABASE_FILEGROUP. The variable value corresponds to the custom file group of the Microsoft SQL Server database. The variable is displayed if repository settings contain the Microsoft SQL Server driver type.

METABASE_CASESENSITIVE. The variable value corresponds to the use of Match Case when Working with DBMS checkbox in repository settings for the following driver types: Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft SQL Server (ODBC), PostgreSQL.

METABASE_DATABASE_ONLY. The variable value corresponds to the database identifier.

METABASE_SCHEMA_ONLY. The variable value corresponds to the identifier of custom scheme in database. The variable is displayed if repository settings contain the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 driver type.

METABASE_ODBCPARAMS. The variable value corresponds to additional parameters specified in connection string, if the Microsoft SQL Server (ODBC) driver type is specified in repository settings. When connecting to database and adding repository connection the variable is automatically added to the connection string.

Operations with Global Variables

To add a global variable:

In the web application click the Add button. A new string will be added to the variables list.
In the desktop application:

Click the Add button.
Select the Add item in the context menu of the empty list area.
Double-click the empty list area.
Press the INSERT key.

The Create Global Variable dialog box opens.

To edit the selected variable:

In the web application change settings in corresponding columns of the required variable.
In the desktop application:

Click the Edit button.
Select the Edit item in the global variable's context menu.
Double-click the variable.

The Edit Global Variable dialog box opens.

To delete one or several selected variables:

In the web application click the Delete button.
In the desktop application:

Click the Delete button.
Select the Delete in the variable's context menu.

After confirmation the global variable is deleted.

NOTE. The global variable is deleted only from repository parameters. If the deleted variable was used in any objects, it is required to delete it manually from those objects to provide their correct work.

Additional Global Variables

Along with system global variables there is a set of additional global variables, which creation can modify in some way mechanism of Foresight Analytics Platform work. The following table provides a list of these variables and their description:

Identifier	Value type	Description
AUTORUN_OBJECT_AS_MAIN	Any	This global variable can be used, if autorun object interface. On entering to the repository, the autorun object window is the main one. The other windows can also open from application code (application forms or system windows, for example, object navigator), but on closing the autorun object window, other windows also close. If application logic requires closing only autorun object window, create the AUTORUN_OBJECT_AS_MAIN global variable and set it to 0.
METABASE_OLEDBPARAMS	String	This global variable is used for the Microsoft SQL Server driver type with OLE DB use. The variable is used to store specified additional connection parameters and automatically added to the connection string: To add an OLE DB data provider/data consumer in ETL task. To select an OLE DB data source in import wizard. When connecting to database and adding repository connection the variable is set manually.
NEW_D_CUBE	Integer	This global variable is used to determine a filtering type for data entry forms. To use new filtering type when editing a table area, set the 1 value. To enable new filtering type for all table areas when opening a data entry form for edit, set the 2 value. To use old filtering type, set any other value. The old filtering type is also used when there is no value set.