View source for TemplateInput and TemplateOutput Attributes

[[Category: Attributes]]

The [[attributes]] '''TemplateInput''' and '''TemplateOutput''' can be used to mark a variable within a module as being that module's primary input or primary output.  The attributes apply only to Module nodes, and when set, the attribute should contain just the identifier of the variable that is to serve as the respective input or output.  The variable listed must be contained within the module, either directly or within a submodule.  

When a module as its '''TemplateInput''' attribute properly set and you draw an arrow to that module, you are effectively drawing an arrow to its primary input node.  Likewise, when you draw an arrow from a module that has a '''TemplateOutput''' to another node, you are effectively drawing an arrow from its primary output to the other node.  

These attributes enable capabilities for [[Model building by mouse]].  A module with primary inputs and outputs tagged via these attributes can serve as a ''Template module'' -- you can copy the template to create an "instantiation", and build your model simply by drawing arrows to or from these instantiated modules.  If you primary inputs are set up as lists or calls to functions that accept repeated parameters (using the [[Function Parameter Qualifiers#Repeated parameters (...)|Repeated qualifier]]), then new inputs will be added to the primary input node's definition automatically.  See [[Model building by mouse]] for more details.

==History==
Introduced in [[Analytica 4.2]].

== See Also ==
* [[Attributes]]
* [[Template Modules]]
* [[Model building by mouse]]
* [[Function Parameter Qualifiers]]