Managing Attributes

Specifying a Component's Default Attribute

Every component has a defaultAttribute attribute that is inherited from the Object class. A component's defaultAttribute is set to the attribute whose value is most often needed from that component. For example, the defaultAttribute attribute for a combo box control is selectedItem, which is the item that is selected from the list that the combo box displays.

The defaultAttribute attribute also affects some behaviors of the Class Editor and the Properties window. Actions that prompt for an attribute are initially set to the value of a component's defaultAttribute. For example, when you specify an attribute link, the value of Link to defaults to the value of the source component's defaultAttribute attribute. The dragInfo and dropInfo values that pass information between objects during drag and drop processes also use the value of the defaultAttribute attribute.

Many SAS classes, including most visual components, have values specified for defaultAttribute.

To specify or change the value of the defaultAttribute attribute for a particular class using the Class Editor:

Select the Attributes node, then select the defaultAttribute attribute.
Right-click and select Override from the pop-up menu.
In the Initial Value field, select an attribute from the drop-down list. Note that the list contains only attributes that are currently defined on the class.
Save the class.

You can also specify the value of defaultAttribute at build time using the Properties window. Valid selections are limited to the attributes that are currently defined for the instance of the class.

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