Selects one of five paths based on one or more conditions as calculated in an equation. This is similar to the Decision (2) block except there are five possible paths rather than just two.
Each input item is routed to one output path depending on model conditions and the logic specified in the equation. The value inputs at the bottom of the block give information regarding model conditions.
Enter the equation in the large box in the dialog. The equation is compiled when the dialog is closed.
You can optionally specify that the decision process takes some time; the default is that it takes no (0) time. If you set the time to greater than 0, you should precede the Decision (5) block with a Stack or Repository block to accumulate and count the items waiting to be processed because the Decision can only contain one item at a time.
Dialog Choices:
Enter an equation in the form...: Enter the logic that determines which path the incoming item will take. The names of the value input connectors are used in the equation just like cell references would be used in a spreadsheet formula.
The decision logic is entered in "IF... ELSE..." or "IF... ELSE IF... ELSE..." form. This translates to:
IF(condition1 calculates to true) Path = Path1;
ELSE IF(condition2 calculates to true) Path = Path2;
ELSE...
For example, consider the following where the connected value inputs have been named "number1" and "number2":
IF ((number1+number2) < 6) Path = Path1;
ELSE IF ((number1+number2) < 10) Path = Path2;
ELSE IF ((number1+number2) < 14) Path = Path3;
ELSE IF ((number1+number2) < 18) Path = Path4;
ELSE Path = Path5;
• Each statement in the equation must end in a semicolon (;).
• If none of the conditions are met, the item exits through the bottom (Path5) output connector.
• Extend's operators are described in the Help command and in the manual. They are: +, -, *, /, ^ (exponentiation), % or MOD (modulo), AND, OR, NOT,<> , <, <=, >, >=, == (equal to).
Name the paths: The names you assign to the five outputs at the right of the block, going in order from the top output to the bottom. The default names are Path1 through Path5; you can enter names which have more relevance to your model. The names of the item output connectors are used in the equation just like cell references would be used in a spreadsheet formula.
• To reference these paths, assign names to the outputs or use the default names (Path1 through Path5).
• Names can be alphanumeric but they must begin with a letter or an underscore (_) character. Spaces, dashes, etc. (except for the underscore character) are not allowed. Names are limited to 30 characters; case is ignored.
• Each connected output must have a name, either the default name or the name you give it.
Name the value inputs...: The names you assign to the 5 inputs at the bottom of the block, going in order from the leftmost input. The default names are V1 through V5; you can enter names which have more relevance to your model. The names of the value input connectors are used in the equation just like cell references would be used in a spreadsheet formula.
• To access the values from these inputs, assign names to the inputs or use the default names (V1 through V5).
• Names can be alphanumeric but they must begin with a letter or an underscore (_) character. Spaces, dashes, etc. (except for the underscore character) are not allowed. Names are limited to 30 characters; case is ignored.
• Each connected input must have a name, either the default name or the name you give it.
• The name of each connected input must be used in the equation.
The decision takes...time: The time it takes to make the decision, in time units. The default is zero (0), meaning no time. To specify that the decision process requires some time, choose a value greater than 0.
Connectors:
The item input connector provides the item which will be sent along one of five paths.
Each of the item output connectors is a possible path for the item depending upon the results of the equation.
The five value input connectors take in values that reflect conditions in the model.
Animation:
A green circle appears at the input connector when an item enters the block and at the output connector at the selected path when the item exits.
