Introduction

Data types that are part of the DDT family can be nested. The nesting can be organized as follows:

  • in structures that contain arrays or structures

  • in arrays that contain arrays or structures

  • in a combination of these different nestings

Array, that contains structures

Carry out the following steps:

Step

Action

1

Double click in the Data Editor in the DDT Types tab on the empty field (marked by an arrow Name, and enter the name of the array type (e.g. PERSONNEL); the default type is <Struct>. Enter a comment (optional).

2

Double click on the Typefield, select <Array>, and confirm by pressing Enter.

Result: The Variable Type Selection appears.

3

The ARRAY checkbox is automatically checked:

  • enter the size of the array in the corresponding field

  • In the libraries/families area select the following:

    • the <EDT> directory for an elementary type

    • the <Applications> directory for a type already in the application

    • the <Library> directory for an already archived type

See the following window:

4

Enable the DDT checkbox, which will display the derived data types.

5

Select the desired structure in the Name column and confirm with OK.

6

Change to the name of the array type and go to the context menu and select Analyze Type.
NOTE: Comments cannot be entered for the sub elements of the array type.
NOTE: Changing the boundaries of an anonymous array lead to the lost of the initial values of that array. Those values must be re-entered after the modification.

Array of the type PERSONNEL that contains structures of the type IDENTITY:

Structure containing a structure

Execute the following actions (provided a structure exists):

Step

Action

1

Click on + to display the type of the structure in the DDT Types tab in the data editor, to which you want to add an element.

2

Double click on the empty Namefield and enter the name of the new structure type element. Enter a comment (optional).

3
Double-click on the corresponding Type field and click on
.

The following window appears.

4

In the libraries/families area select:

  • the <EDT> index for an elementary type

  • the <Applications> directory for a type that already exists in the application

  • the <Library> for an already archived type

See the following example:

5

Enable the DDT checkbox, which will display the derived data types.

6

Select the desired structure in the Name column and confirm with OK.

7

Switch to the name of the structure type and select the Analyze Typeentry in the context menu.

Example: IDENTITY structure that contains an INFORMATION structure of the STATUS type.

Combination of the different nestings.

The following example shows:

  • a PERSONNEL array consisting of IDENTITY type structures

  • IDENTITY structures containing STATUS type structures

  • STATUS structures containing arrays of the NAME_CHILD type

Example: