MCD/Tape Variables

$DISPLY

Last operator message string output Type: String, Read-only

This variable holds the last operator message string output by the post-processor, either via a DISPLY command or by the redirection of a PPRINT command.

$LMCD

Last MCD block output Type: String, Read-only

This variable holds the last block of MCD output by the post-processor.

$MCD	Current MCD block under construction Type: String, Read-only

This variable holds the current block of MCD being built by the post-processor.

$OPSKIP

Current OPSKIP (block delete) level Type: Numeric, Read-only

This variable tracks the current OPSKIP (also called block-delete) level. On machines with a single level of OPSKIP, $OPSKIP will be set to 1 (one) when OPSKIP is enabled and 0 (zero) when OPSKIP is disabled. On machines with multiple OPSKIP levels, $OPSKIP indicates the number of different OPSKIP levels currently active.

$OPSKIPL

OPSKIP (block delete) status Type: Logical array, Read-only

This array variable tracks the state of OPSKIP levels 1 through 9. $OPSKIPL(1) will be $TRUE if OPSKIP level 1 is active, otherwise it will be set to $FALSE. Similarly, $OPSKIPL(2) through $OPSKIPL(9) will be set depending on the state of OPSKIP levels 2 through 9.

$REEL

Current reel number Type: Numeric, Read/Write

This variable contains the current number of tape reels or program segments used for the job.

$SEQCNT

Sequence number skip block counter Type: Numeric, Read/Write

This variable holds the sequence number count variable. The count variable causes the sequence number to come out on every Nth block, where N is the sequence number count variable.

$SEQINC

Sequence number increment factor Type: Numeric, Read/Write

This variable holds the sequence number increment. This increment is added to the last sequence number to generate a new sequence number. If the increment is zero, sequence numbering is constant (i.e., the same sequence number is output until $SEQINC is changed).

$SEQNO

Current sequence number Type: Numeric, Read/Write

This variable contains the sequence number (e.g., N register value) of the current block. It may be set by the user. Note: The user should define the SEQNO command as available to properly use the sequence number macro system variables.

$SEQSTA

Sequence number status (ON or OFF) Type: Keyword, Read/Write

This variable contains the current sequence number status. It has a value of ON or OFF and may be set by the user to enable or disable sequence numbering of tape blocks. Note that the value of this variable is a minor word, not a string value.

$SPACE

Register spacing enabled Type: Logical, Read/Write

This variable controls the output of register spacing. Register spacing is enabled when this variable is set $TRUE provided also that register spacing is supported in the post-processor (QUEST General Description / Output Format question #2.5 “SPACE code”). It is initialized to $TRUE by GENER. If it is set to $FALSE, then spacing will be disabled on subsequent output.

$TAPACT

Tape production status Type: Logical, Read/Write

This variable can be used to enable or disable output of MCD data to the tape files. By default, this variable is set $TRUE for normal MCD output. When set $FALSE, further output to the tape file or files is stopped, as is output of MCD data to the operator listing file and operation of the tape macro (if any). While disabled, commands such as INSERT, DISPLY and PPFUN/7 all have no effect. However, commands that modally or non-modally change the status of registers and codes continue to be processed and will be applied once tape production is re-enabled.

The tape production can also be set using the PPFUN/22 command.

$TAPEB

Number of blocks on the tape Type: Numeric, Read/Write

This variable contains the number of NC tape blocks generated.

$TAPEBS

Number of blocks on the subprogram tape Type: Numeric, Read/Write

This variable contains the number of tape blocks generated on the subprogram tape.

$TAPEB2

Number of blocks on the second tape Type: Numeric, Read/Write

This variable contains the number of tape blocks generated on the second channel tape.

$TAPECH

Number of characters in the tape Type: Numeric, Read/Write

This variable contains the number of characters generated on the tape.

$TAPECS

Number of characters on subprogram tape Type: Numeric, Read/Write

This variable contains the number of characters generated on the subprogram tape.

$TAPEC2

Number of characters on the second tape Type: Numeric, Read/Write

This variable contains the number of characters generated on the second channel tape.

$TAPEDT

$TRUE if built-in tape processing closed Type: Logical, Read-only

This variable is set true when all built-in tape processing has been completed, thereby allowing tape files to be edited via macro processing.

$TAPELN

Tape length of current reel in FEET, METERS or KB Type: Numeric, Read/Write

This variable contains the length of tape for the current reel or program segment. The units used by $TAPELN depends on answers to questions in QUEST. If the output format is tape, $TAPELN is in feet or meters, depending on the primary output units. If the output format is DNC, $TAPELN is in kilobytes.

$TAPELS

Length of the subprogram tape in FEET, METER or KB Type: Numeric, Read/Write

This variable contains the length of the subprogram tape of the current or program segment.

$TAPEL2

Length of second tape in FEET, METERS or KB Type: Numeric, Read/Write

This variable contains the length of the second channel tape of the current or program segment. This second tape is generated in the case of a 4-axis lathe with program output.

$TAPEN

Primary tape file name Type: String, Read-only

This variable contains the primary tape file name as specified (or defaulted) on the GENER command line.

$TAPEN2

Secondary tape file name Type: String, Read-only

This variable contains the secondary tape file name.

$TAPENS

Subprogram tape file name Type: String, Read-only

This variable contains the current subprogram tape file name.

$TPRINT

Last MCD comment string output Type: String, Read-only

This variable holds the last MCD comment string output by the post-processor, either via a TPRINT command or by the redirection of a PPRINT command.