An alphabet worth of variables

  • Article

After mentioning which types of variables can and can't be set in my last post, I was feeling a little guilty.  In the FS2004 SDK we didn't actually define which types of variables CAN be set. So here's an improved table of variable types, since the SDK docs were deficient.  Speaking of which, I would love to get out a completely updated doc for the XML gauges, but seeing as a good bit of work needs to be done there, it might be a while before such an update takes place.

Parameter

Stands for…

Read-only?

Units required?

Description

A

Aircraft

Yes

Yes

Get the current parameters of the aircraft

C

Custom Gauge

No (in some cases)

No

To use these variables, a separate C++ module must be written and loaded by flight sim. The fs9view and fs9gps are currently the only gauge modules that use this feature.

E/P

Environment/Program

Yes

Yes

Environment and Program-related parameters include time of day and simulation rate. (Either E: or P: may be used).

G

Gauge variable

No

No

General-purpose user-defined variable local to a particular gauge.

K

Key code

No

No

Key codes that are sent from gauges to Flight Simulator.

L

Local

No

Yes

General-purpose, user-defined variable that can be accessed by multiple gauges.

M

Mouse variables

Yes

No

Reports the state of the mouse for use in mouse click handlers.

R

Resource strings

Yes

No

Get a string from the resource file (which will be localized). E.g. (R:HELPID_GAUGE_FLAPS_UP) See helpids.doc for a complete list of strings

I haven't yet seen this information posted online anywhere, but if anyone knows of any resources out there that cover topics such as this, let me know so I can add links to them! 

Scrabble fans: Bonus points if you can make a word (in any language) from the letters (ACEGKLMR) that define the different variable types ...

Comments

  • Anonymous
    November 05, 2005
    Thanks for this. It's very comprehensive.

    As for online resources the AVSIM Panel & Design forum has a useful XML FAQ and I've found the xml parts forum at www.freeflightdesign.com to useful .

  • Anonymous
    November 05, 2005
    Susan, I want to thank you for taking the time out of you schedule to blog with us.
    It's great that your team is more visible and it sure is appreciated by us on the other side of the MSFS fence.
    Cheers
    Chris Porter
    Western Australia

  • Anonymous
    May 31, 2006
    Best of the text i read about a problem.

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    June 06, 2006
    Wellcome to the real world.

  • Anonymous
    June 21, 2008
    Hi Engauged, Do you have, or is there, a complete list of the variables somewhere online?

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