Modular variants terminology

Term Meaning Derived default A default value that depends on a certain condition (for example, radio = stereo IF car type = GLX). A derived default is attached to an item revision, but applies globally to a loaded product structure. Error check A type of constraint in which a message is generated for a given combination of option values. Error checking is supported at three levels—error, warning and information. External option An option that is typically placed at the top-level module and sets the value of options that reference it in lower level modules. Global option An option that defines a set of standard allowed values in a central module. These values can be used in other modules. Module A container for options and constraints that describes the variability of a given item. A module encapsulates option definition to the area of the structure where it is needed. Multiple configuration Unique configurations of specific usages of a module. You facilitate multiple configurations with occurrence names and by configuring paths to modules. Option A parameter of variability. Options have a type (real, integer, or logical), visibility (public or private), a name, and a default value. You can save several options in a saved option set (SOS) or saved variant rule. Presented option An option in a module that points to a public option in a directly included child module. Private option An option that is visible only to the constraints within the module in which it was defined. Public option An option that is visible by constraints in a direct parent module and can be presented to a direct parent module. The public interface to the module. Variant (structure) A specific structure that is configured by applying a variant rule. Variant condition A condition that an engineering user sets on an occurrence to specify the option values that configure the occurrence (for example, Load IF engine = 1200). More complex condition statements may also be defined. (Variant) Configuration The values set for all public options in the top-level module that configure a structure. Variant item (VI) A specific nonvariant instance of a module.