Actions List

The Actions list shows the actions that the Data Exchanger component will take during execution. Each action is shown in a shorthand notation for the actual Java code that is executed. To view the full Java code, click .

Understanding the Actions List

The first entry in the Actionslist is always a comment that you cannot delete or edit. The purpose of this comment is to select it to insert an action before all the other actions.

There are three unique actions, each marked differently:

  • A blue background indicates the currently selected action. This is the action associated with the last parameter or highlight (selected text in the data source) clicked, and it is the action shown in the Swipe Details area. Almost any selection anywhere in the editor changes the currently selected action.

    Note: Multiple actions can be selected by holding the Shift key and clicking, or by holding the Ctrl key and clicking in the Actions list. When multiple actions are selected, you can delete the actions by clicking the button or cut/copy the actions using Ctrl+X or Ctrl+C.

  • A red line shows the point where new actions will be inserted. New actions are inserted between existing actions. Selecting an action in the list sets the insertion point to be just after that action. Selecting parameters or highlights does not change the insertion point.

  • A blue arrow in the left margin indicates the next action to execute. This arrow is only visible when single-stepping through the actions.

Executing Actions

Typically, an action is executed as soon as it is inserted. Changing the value of a parameter that is used in the Data Exchanger component causes the whole list of actions to re-execute.

You can control the execution by using the buttons located at the bottom of the Actions list:

  • . Stops the program from running automatically. This tool is useful to stop automatic execution when there are many actions and running all of them takes a long time. Click once to pause automatic execution, and click again to re-start execution.

  • . Stops execution. This button is available only when actions are executing.

  • . Re-executes all actions.

  • . Single-steps to execute the next action (the one with the blue arrow). This is useful for identifying errors.

  • . Resets the program and sets the Next Action arrow to the top of the list. You have to reset the actions before you can single-step.

It can be useful to reset the Actions list and step through the actions one at a time to see what each action does. When single-stepping, read or calculation actions will immediately update the value of the affected parameter. You can also step through a loop to see what happens each time through.

Tip: You can right-click an action and select Run to this statement to single-step through the actions until the current action is at or after the selected action. This is useful in debugging the actions if the Data Exchanger component does not execute correctly.