Memory variables are temporary variables that are used during the mapping process. They serve many purposes. They can be used to create data that is required for mapping, but is not present in the data being mapped. For example, line item numbers may be required on outbound maps, but may not be present in the user files. Memory variables can also hold the intermediate results of data manipulation during the mapping process. For example, input data may have to be multiplied and then summed before it is mapped; you would use memory variables to hold the intermediate results of these arithmetic operations. Or memory variables may hold data that must be read, stored, and used with data that is read later. For example, you may have to retrieve a percentage from a header record and apply it later to each detail record to calculate a value that will be mapped at the detail level.
In ECMap, memory variable-related actions are initiated from either the Memory Variable window or the Memory Variable pane on the Mapping window.
Displaying the Memory Variable window:
Choose Tools>Memory Variable from the main menu.
The Memory Variables window displays.
Displaying the Memory Variable pane:
Do one of the following:
Right-click an element and choose Memory Variable from the drop-down list.
Choose Map>Memory Variable from the Mapping window menu
