Qualifier Mask

On the Feature Groups form, enter the qualifier mask of the feature group. A qualifier mask is a series of periods, asterisks (*), and X's which determines the unique position of the feature group within the qualifier string (the qualifier string definition is described later). When all of the feature group's qualifier masks are joined together, the qualifier string layout is formed.

The Qualifier Mask may contain these characters:

  • Period (.): Indicates a position that is not used by the mask
  • Asterisk (*): Indicates a varying number of positions that are used by the * mask
  • X: Indicates where the option code for this group is to be located
  • Comma (,): Indicates a blank character.

When you enter the Qualifier Mask field, a frame appears which indicates the current position of the cursor. This may assist in placement of periods, asterisks (*), and X's to the appropriate columns.

EXAMPLE: If the feature group 'PAINT' (which contains the following option codes: RD, YW, BL, BK, WH, PR, and SL) used the following mask, one option code would be in positions fifteen (15) and sixteen (16) of the Qualifier String for planning item BK-27000. A mask entered on the Feature Groups form could look like this:

  • XX*. - positions not used in this Qualifier Mask.
  • XX - the position of the option codes of this Qualifier Mask.
  • * (asterisk) - the last 9 positions, which could be any characters in another Qualifier Mask.
  • XX is the length of the longest option code in the feature group. Option codes can be any length, but it is best to limit them to one or two characters. This allows for a maximum number of feature groups to be used when configuring an item.

Two planning items can use the same feature group if the feature group is located in the same position in each feature string. Two feature groups can occupy the same location if they cannot be selected on the same item.

On the Feature Group Qualifier form, this is the Qualifier Mask of the feature group that was created in the Feature Groups form.

For more information about how this mask is used, see Creating and Entering a Planning Item.