Copying Functions › Function Templates › Understanding Function Templates

Understanding Function Templates

Any standard function based on the *Template file is known as a template function. A template function can be a primary function or a function internally referenced by a primary function.

When you copy a template function, CA 2E uses the source function as a template to create a new function based on a target file you specify. Function names and access paths are automatically adjusted for the target file.

There is no limit to the complexity of the suite of functions copied. The primary function must be based on the *Template file, but internally-referenced functions can be based on the *Template file or they can be based on normal user-defined files.

Run-time messages list new objects created and indicate where user intervention may be required in the second level text.

Two action diagram features aid the creation of template functions:

• The PR (protected structure) selection option lets you protect blocks that comprise standard areas of the action diagram you do not want developers to remove or change
• You can specify *T for Function file on the Edit Action - Function Name window to select from among existing template functions.

Note: Function templates facilitate the process of creating new functions or suites of functions. There is no inheritance; as a result, changing the template has no effect on functions that were previously created from the template.