id_variables
Name the variables block; helpful when there are multiple
Topics
block_identifier
Specification
Alias: None
Arguments: STRING
Default: use of last variables parsed
Description
The optional id_variables
keyword accepts a string that uniquely
identifies this variables block. A model can then use these variables
by specifying the same string in its variables_pointer
specification.
Default Behavior
If the id_variables
specification is omitted, a particular
variables specification will be used by a model only if that model
does not include an variables_pointer
and the variables block was
the last (or only) one parsed.
Usage Tips
It is a best practice to always use explicit variables IDs and pointers to avoid confusion.
If only one variables block exists, then
id_variables
can be safely omitted from the variables block (andvariables_pointer
omitted from the model specification(s)), since there is no ambiguity.
Examples
For example, a model specification including
model
variables_pointer = 'V1'
will link to a response set with
id_variables = 'V1'