Relative values for Model 204 numeric parameters

Prior to the introduction of this feature, Model 204 numeric parameter settings are absolute values only, optionally qualified by a leading minus sign (-) to indicate a negative value. For example, you might set the value of the LSTBL user table to 50,000 bytes:

UTABLE LSTBL 50000

Subsequently, you find that you need to increase the initial setting to 60,000. You can issue UTABLE LSTBL 60000, or as of Sirius Mods version 8.0, you can issue:

UTABLE LSTBL 10000+

The plus sign after the setting value above indicates a relative increase of 10,000. An alternative equivalent is:

UTABLE LSTBL 120%

To decrease the initial setting by 10,000, you can issue either of these relative settings:

UTABLE LSTBL 10000- UTABLE LSTBL 80%

These three indicators — a following plus sign (+), minus sign (-), or percent sign (%) — are the only relative setting indicators. They are available for all Model 204 numeric parameters.

The option to use the relative setting of the parameter may be particularly useful in a dynamic and growing environment where the LSTBL setting may be subject to change from a variety of code sources. In this case, explicit settings may become difficult to maintain.