Constraints Components

The Constraints folder in the Component Browser lets you define one or more additional conditions to be used in determining whether a stopping condition has been satisfied. When you create a new Constraint, the following options are provided in the Component Edit window that appears:

Option Description
User Comment Enter a comment to remind you later of the purpose of this constraint.
Calculation Object Double-click this field to bring up an Embedded Component Link Selection window and configure the calculation object.

In the Embedded Component Link Selection window, click Change... to select a calculation object from the Component Browser. You can use the button to copy the currently selected calculation object to the clipboard and the button to replace the current calculation object with a copy of the one that is on the clipboard. Click to save a copy of the current calculation object to the Component Browser.
Criteria Select one of the following options:
  • Equals -- The test parameter must be equal (within the specified tolerance) to the specified value.
  • Greater Than Minimum -- The current value for the calculation object is greater by the specified tolerance than the minimum reached by that object at the time that the stopping condition was met.
  • Greater Than -- The test parameter must be greater than the specified value.
  • Less Than Maximum -- The current value for the calculation object is less by the specified tolerance than the maximum reached by that object at the time that the stopping condition was met.
  • Less Than -- The test parameter must be less than the specified value.
  • Not Equal To -- The test parameter must be not equal (within the specified tolerance) to the specified value.
Tolerance Specify how closely the test parameter must approximate the desired value for the constraint. Tolerance does not apply to the Less Than or Greater Than criteria.
UseAbsoluteValue Select true to use the absolute value of the calculation; otherwise select false.
Value Specify the desired value for the constraint.