Simple and Composite Names

Components, symbols, footprints, models, and padstacks possess either "simple" names or "composite" names. Composite names are used to distinguish items from libraries that may possess the same simple name. A composite name is created by combining an item’s library name with its simple name. Composite names for definitions are unique, but simple names are not.

• Composite names are used by definition manager script commands to uniquely identify script definitions.
• Materials and scripts do not have composite names, so project definitions for these items must possess a unique simple name.
• The format of a composite name is LibraryName:SimpleDefinitionName. For example, the composite name for the component "CAP_ in" the system library Nexxim Circuit Elements\Capacitors is "Nexxim Circuit Elements\Capacitors:CAP_in."
• The format of a composite name in a project is OriginLibraryName:SimpleDefinitionName. For example, the composite name for the project component "CAP_" that was originally from the system library Nexxim Circuit Elements\Capacitors is "Nexxim Circuit Elements\Capacitors:CAP_".
• Not all definitions in a project have a library of origin. Newly added definitions do not have a library of origin, and project definitions whose names are changed do not have a library of origin (even if they did before the name change). As a result, the composite name for items without a library of origin is the item’s simple name itself. For example, the composite name for the project component "CAP_" that came from a system library and was renamed to "MyCAP_" is "MyCAP_".

To construct a composite name, select Tools > Edit Configured Libraries > Components to open the Edit Libraries dialog box. The subnames used to construct a composite name can be found in the Name and Origin columns that correspond to a particular component. The Origin column contains the library portion of the composite name, while the Name column contains the simple portion of the composite name.

VBScript Variables

A VBScript variable is a placeholder representing information that may change during the time your script is running. Variables are useful because they let you assign a short and easy to remember name to each piece of data you plan to use. Use a variable name in a script to view or modify its value.