Counter
Description
Counters are used to maintain all number ranges (registers) used in the system. Counters are required for master data (customers, G/L accounts, parts, etc.) and documents (invoices, orders, purchase orders, etc.) in order to specify sequential numbering. The formatting of the number (e.g. whether with or without leading zeros) is also determined in the counter.
Usually, the name of the meter is the same as the class name of the object to be numbered (e.g. CX_CUSTOMER for the customer number meter).
The register of a counter can be delegated to the register of another counter. This is used, for example, if the number range for outgoing invoices and outgoing credit memos is to be the same. In this case, the counter for A/R credit notes (CX_CREDIT_NOTE) is delegated to the counter for A/R invoices (CX_INVOICE). A conditional table can also be used to distribute a register to several other counters, e.g. if the number range for orders is to be different depending on the order type.
If you want to reset the counters for e.g. A/R invoices at the beginning of a fiscal year, you can create (copy) a separate counter for each fiscal year - controlled by the validity. In this way, for example, the counter "CX_INVOICE" for A/R invoices would then exist several times, each with a validity related to the fiscal year. It should be noted that the counter number should include the year of the fiscal year in order to avoid double numbers.
Functionality
- Input window
- List window
- Selection window
- Formatting Testing
- Search number range
- Editing the number range manually
Input window
This window is used for maintaining meters. You can select a meter by entering the desired meter name in the Name field and confirming with RETURN. If you want to open the list window, you can select the menu item "Search".
Several number ranges can also be combined by 'delegation'. In addition, your number ranges can also be displayed with a format specification, for example to define leading zeros or similar. In this way, any format changes that may be necessary in the future can be made centrally and therefore with little effort. In the field 'Control character' you specify the formatting of the respective number range (in the example: six numeric digits) and in the field 'Fixed text' you control how the number is displayed in the input fields (in the example: six digits, numeric with leading zeros).
| Menu item | Description |
|---|---|
| Edit | - |
| : Copy counter | The counter displayed in the input window is copied. If several counters with the same name are created (with different validity!), it must be ensured that a possibly created index CX_COUNTER::uniqueID allows duplicates. If the counter to be copied delegates its counter, this information will also be copied and may have to be adjusted |
| : Test formatting | Test counter formatting: this selection can only be made if counter formatting is enabled |
| : Search number range | For a range of numbers entered, you can check whether objects with that number are saved in this machine |
| : Delegation | |
| : : Create conditional delegation | The delegation to another counter is changed to a conditional table |
| : : Conditional table | |
| : : : Insert counter | Counters can be selected, which are transferred to the conditional table. Then the conditions under which each counter is to be valid must be maintained |
| : : : Remove counter | The selected entries of the conditional table are removed |
| : : : Edit columns | The columns of the conditional table can be edited |
| : : Remove conditional delegation | The table with the conditional counters is removed |
| Close | Close window |
| Search | Call up list window |
| Symbol | Description |
|---|---|
 | Create new counter |
 | Save changes |
 | Clear counter |
 | Print counter |
 | Set validity |
 | Test counter formatting (this button is only visible if counter formatting is activated) |
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Identification of the meter |
| Description | Additional, descriptive information about the meter |
| Formatting | - |
| Disabled | If this field is selected, the formatting of the input/search fields of the number belonging to the register is generally switched off and the other fields of this input group are hidden. Only standard pre-formatting (usually "000000") then takes place. If the counter is delegated to another counter, the formatting is not affected |
| : Control character | The control character indicates which characters are taken over from the input in the Text window; see also FString |
| Fixed text | The Text window determines how the transferred characters are displayed in the output field; see also FString |
| Counter | - |
| Disabled | If this field is selected, the counter is generally switched off and the other fields of this input group are hidden |
| Delegated to | Selection of the meter whose counter is to be used. If, for example, (outgoing) invoices and credit notes are to run over a common number range, the counter for credit notes (CX_CREDIT_NOTE) should refer to the counter for invoices (CX_INVOICE). If the counter is delegated to another counter, the fields "Last number" and "Increment" are hidden. If the counters in the system are defined across domains, it is also possible to delegate to a counter of another domain. In order to be able to select a counter of another domain, the display of the list can be set accordingly |
| Last number | Last number assigned by the counter |
| : Step size | Step size for incrementing the counter |
| button | Description |
|---|---|
| OK | Changes to the counter are saved. If no changes are made, the button is locked. |
| New | The input window is cleared. |
| Delete | The displayed counter is cleared. |
| Close | The window is closed without saving changes. If you want to save the changes, you must press the "OK" button. |
List window
Used to list the counters.
| Menu item | Description |
|---|---|
| Edit | - |
| : Data exchange | - |
| : : Export | Export meter to file |
| : : Import | Import meter from file |
| : Display counter of all domains | If the meters are defined separately by domain, this menu selection can be used to list the meters of all domains. This may be necessary, for example, if the meter is to delegate from one domain to the meter of another domain (cross-domain meters) |
| : Reset cross-domain display | Only the counters defined in the domain currently logged on are displayed |
| Close | Close window |
| Symbol | Description |
|---|---|
| Create new counter |
 | Edit the meter selected in the list |
| Clear the counter selected in the list |
| Print the counter selected in the list |
| Set validity for the counter selected in the list |
 | Copy all objects in the list to the clipboard |
| button | Description |
|---|---|
| Edit | The current counter is displayed in the input window. |
| New | An empty input window opens. |
| Delete | The selected counter is cleared. |
| Close | The window is closed. |
Selection window
This window is used to select a counter.
| button | Description |
|---|---|
| OK | The selected counter is accepted. |
| Close | The selection is cancelled. |
Test formatting
In this window you can test the formatting of a counter.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Control character | s. FString Instruction |
| Fixed text | s. FString Instruction |
| Input field | The characters entered here are displayed formatted according to the specifications made in the "Control characters" and "Fixed text" boxes. |
| Date of issue | According to the format specifications of the counter, the input field may appear different from the data that is ultimately read internally from the input field. |
| button | Description |
|---|---|
| Save | The data from the fields "Control character" and "Fixed text" are transferred to the corresponding formatting fields of the counter. |
Search number range
In this window you can display the corresponding objects by entering a range of numbers. In this way you can quickly find out how many and which objects are in which number ranges. The search extends over the master list of objects (REP collection) specified in the "Class" field or - if nothing is specified there - the class name is taken from the name of the selected meter. If no "data field" is specified, the field "uniqueID" is taken. In particular, this search also serves to display any gaps in the specified number range.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Class | Assignment of the counter to the master list of the class specified here. If no class is specified, the name of the class is taken from the name of the meter. |
| Data field | Assignment of the meter to a data field within the master list of the specified class. If no data field is specified, "uniqueID" is taken as data field. |
| From number | The search for objects starts from this number (greater or equal). |
| To number | The search for objects extends up to this entered number (less or equal). |
| button | Description |
|---|---|
| Search | The specified number range is searched for gaps using the specified data field in the specified class. Any gaps found in the called number range are displayed in the lower list. At the end of the search you can also have all objects found within the called number range listed. |
Edit number range manually
A counter object is used - as the name suggests - to automatically count up order or invoice numbers, for example. A counter object can also be used to format number fields. It often happens that you want to manage number ranges manually, because they are assigned and processed externally (e.g. externally assigned inventory numbers). To get an overview of such number ranges, you can manage these "reservations" here.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| From number | Number as of which an area is to be reserved. The highest number already reserved can be obtained by pressing the button to the right of this field. |
| Quantity | Number of numbers to reserve. |
| To number | For control purposes, the last number to be reserved is output from the entry in the "From number" field and the "Number" entered. |
| Comment | Free text input to describe the reservation made. |
| button | Description |
|---|---|
| Booking | A further number range is reserved. If this new reservation overlaps with an existing reservation, the process is terminated with an error message. |
Related topics
Technical documentation
Overview
Counter base module
Module name
counter.mod
Classes
Security
In addition to restricting access rights via the class and its data fields, the module can be restricted in its use via some of the received messages.
| Message | Parameters | Function | Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| COUNTER_CHANGED | Meter object | Counter was changed | |
| COUNTER_CREATED | Meter object | Counter was created | |
| COUNTER_DELETED | Meter object | Counter has been cleared |
| Message | Parameters | Function | Receiver module |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDIT_COUNTER | NULL or counter object | Call up input window for counter | Meter editing module |
Counter editing module
Module name
countedt.mod
Classes
Security
In addition to restricting access rights via the class and its data fields, the module can be restricted in its use via some of the received messages.
| Message | Parameters | Function | Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| COUNTER_CHANGED | Meter object | Counter was changed | |
| COUNTER_CREATED | Meter object | Counter was created | |
| COUNTER_DELETED | Meter object | Counter has been cleared | |
| EDIT_COUNTER | NULL or counter object | Call up input window for counter | |
| LIST_COUNTER | Collection counter objects or NULL | Call up list window for counters | |
| LOAD_COUNTER | Import meter |
| Message | Parameters | Function | Receiver module |
|---|---|---|---|
| COUNTER_CHANGED | Meter object | Counter was changed | |
| COUNTER_CREATED | Meter object | Counter was created | |
| EDIT_COUNTER | NULL or counter object | Call up input window for counter | Meter editing module |
| LIST_COUNTER | Call up list window for counters | Meter editing module | |
| SHOW_PREVIEW | Widget | Print Preview | Print Preview |
Counter selection module
Module name
countsel.mod
Classes
Security
In addition to restricting access rights via the class and its data fields, the module can be restricted in its use via some of the received messages.
| Message | Parameters | Function | Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| COUNTER_CHANGED | Meter object | Counter was changed | |
| COUNTER_CREATED | Meter object | Counter was created | |
| COUNTER_DELETED | Meter object | Counter has been cleared | |
| SELECT_COUNTER | Collection counter objects or NULL, recipient of the response | Call up selection window for counters |
| Message | Parameters | Function | Receiver module |
|---|---|---|---|
| COUNTER_SELECTED | Counter object, receiver | Counter was selected | |
| EDIT_COUNTER | NULL or counter object | Call up input window for counter | Meter editing module |
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