Attribute Types

Data Model Reference Manual

Introduction to Attributes : Attribute Types

Attribute Types

The following is a list of attribute types.

All names start with a slash / and consist of any number of name parts separated by further slashes. The maximum length is 50 characters (including the slash ‘/’). A name part consists of any string of characters, letters, or digits, with the exception of $ or @. If the STAR command (qv) has been used, the * character has special significance.

The names given to elements are purely for your convenience and have no meaning in the system.

Examples: /HX42 /HX42/NOZ1 /16/23/NH4/H21/N4 /AREA3

A real attribute holds a single real number (for example 25.5, -0.057, 25683.5, etc.). Real attributes are generally used to store dimensions (for example. DIAM, XLEN, etc.).

Integer Attribute

An integer attribute holds a single integer or whole number (for example. 1, -2, 4000, etc.). Integer attributes are used in Piping Components to identify connection points (ARRIV, LEAVE); in Equipment Primitives to identify obstruction levels for clash detection (OBSTR); etc.

Reference Attribute

A reference attribute holds a reference to another element. The attribute holds the internal system reference number, for example. =12/106, and not the name of the element. Reference attributes are used to forge logical links between elements. For example, the SPREF attribute is used to link a Piping Component element in the Design to a Specification Component in a Specification. Note that a reference attribute may be restricted to storing the references of particular types of element (for example. the SPREF reference of a Piping Component may only contain the reference to a Specification Component element, that is an element of type SPCOM). The restrictions on individual reference attributes are shown in brackets with each attribute.

Logical Attribute

A logical attribute is either TRUE or FALSE. An example of its use is the BUILT attribute in a Pipe which is needed to indicate whether the Pipe has been constructed on site or not.

A word attribute holds a string of up to four characters. Word attributes are used, for example, to indicate the direction of flow in a branch (FORW, BACK) etc.

A text attribute holds a string of up to 120 alphanumeric characters. The length of each text attribute is specified in the database schema. Most text attributes can hold up to 120 characters (for example. ‘HP STEAM’). The text must be input between closing single quotes or, optionally, between vertical bars (useful for entering imperial units, for example. |4’6|).

Real Array Attribute

A real array attribute holds more than one real number. For example, the position attribute (POS) consists of three real numbers and represents the X, Y and Z coordinates which define the position of an element.

Integer Array Attribute

An integer array attribute holds more than one integer. For example, the LEVEL attribute consists of two integers and is used to control the level range of drawing detail.

Reference Array Attribute

A reference array attribute holds more than one reference to another element. For example, a connection reference array (CRFA) is used to hold the connection links of a four-way valve (VFWA) or a CROSS.

Text Array Attribute

A text array attribute holds more than one text string. The strings of a text array can be of different lengths, and some can be empty strings.

Noclaim Attribute

If an attribute is set to 'noclaim' it means that the attribute can be modified without having to claim the element. Thus reducing contention in specific area such as connecting branches to equipment where a number of piping engineers can connect their branches to the same equipment. Note that there would be no warning if two branches were connected to the same nozzle with the last user to do a savework “winning”.

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