Data Model Settings Reference

This chapter explains the stable meaning of Data model settings. The exact position of a control may change, but these choices determine the canonical definition and runtime behavior.

New Variable

Open New Variable from Data model, a Page, the Formula Definition picker, or the + in an Output Variables table. In general contexts, first choose whether to define a formula or store a value without one. Then choose the Calculate purpose and, where needed, its destination; set the name, value type, and scope. Continue to formula opens the Formula editor, while the stored-value path uses Create Variable and adds no calculation source. In a Variable Outputs table, the table itself supplies the purpose and destination, so the formula/store choice and destination are not offered.

Calculate

• Stored or displayed value creates a Variable without an automatic calculation source. It can be referenced immediately, but it remains empty or at its existing value until another source writes it.
• Starting or random value evaluates a formula once when the game starts. It defaults to a numeric, per-player Variable.
• Value calculated for this Page evaluates a formula when the Page containing the Variable is displayed. From outside a specific Page, the equivalent destination applies whenever a Page containing it is displayed.
• Result of a Stage transition writes the Variable after the selected Free Form Stage completes and before the next Stage starts.
• Result of a Market trade writes the Variable after each Market transaction for a selected Player Type account.
• Periodically calculated value writes the Variable whenever a selected Market periodic transition runs. If the Market has no periodic transition, the dialog can create a one-second transition.

The list is contextual. A Stage or Market-specific purpose is useful only when the current game contains a compatible destination.

Calculation Location

A second selector appears only when there is more than one concrete destination. It is labelled Stage, Player type, or Periodic event. A single destination is shown as explanatory text instead. The available calculation locations are:

• Display or reference only creates no formula or output assignment.
• At game start stores the entered formula as the Variable's initial calculation.
• Recalculate when this Page is displayed attaches Page-time evaluation.
• After _Stage_ adds a Variable output to that Free Form Stage.
• After every Market trade - _Player Type_ adds an output to that Player Type account's transaction outputs.
• Periodically - _interval_ seconds adds an output to the selected Market transition.
• Periodically - create a 1-second Market transition creates the transition and adds its output.

The general Data model source dialog can additionally offer Before Results for Market finalization. A Variable cannot have two sources at the same destination.

Data model, Page, and general Formula editing offer the available calculation types. Market Valuation, initial endowment, and initial cash restrict new Variables to calculation at game start, including Variables created inside their calculation formulas.

In an Output Variables table, + in the Variable column opens a focused creation dialog for a Variable in that output context, followed by its Formula editor. The output table determines where the value is calculated, so no destination selector is shown. Once the formula is applied, the Variable and its output assignment are added together. Cancelling before completion leaves the table unchanged.

Function Parameters

Parameters belong to a Function definition. They are declared as that Function's inputs and appear in the Definition picker while editing its Function Body. They are not general Variables or global parameters: other formulas call the Function and supply an argument for each declared input. For example, if the Function declares a and b, its body can reference parameter::a and parameter::b; callers provide the corresponding values in the Function call.

Other Fields

• Name is the author-facing name and must be non-empty and unique among Variables.
• Value type may be number, integer, boolean, or text. It controls formula validation and compatible controls.
• Scope is Per player or Global. A per-player Variable has a distinct value for each participant; a global Variable represents shared game state.

Purpose defaults are starting points. Value type and Scope can be changed before continuing, but the selected formula and destination must remain type-compatible.

New Choice

A Choice is a value submitted by a participant from a Page.

• Use as is Value entered by a player.
• Name must be non-empty and unique among Choices.
• Value type may be number, integer, boolean, or text.
• Minimum and Maximum are available for numeric and integer Choices and remain optional.

The Page inserts a reference to the new Choice. Runtime input validation uses its type and configured bounds.

Existing Variable Sources

The Variable inspector lists every saved source and any Page-staged source changes:

• the heading states when the source runs,
• the detail identifies its Stage, Player Type, transition, or module,
• the expression shows what is assigned,
• the pencil opens the Formula editor,
• Move changes the calculation destination,
• Trash removes that source after confirmation,
• plus adds another compatible source.

Changes made while editing a Page remain pending until Apply Page. Done closes the Variable inspector but does not apply the containing Page.

Choosing A Source

Choose the earliest lifecycle point at which the value is both available and semantically correct:

• initialize stable starting values at game start,
• use Page calculation for view-time values,
• use Stage outputs for process results,
• use transaction outputs for values that change with every trade,
• use periodic outputs for timer-driven state,
• use Market finalization for final snapshots and Results.

A Page reference does not calculate a Variable by itself unless Page calculation was explicitly selected.