Query Functions : List of Query Functions : Mixed (mx) : Input List Type: mx : Function Relationships

Function Relationships

The following functions are related, but have subtle differences:

The following matrix shows their relationships. In the matrix, opposite functions go from left to right, whereas cause and effect functions go up and down.

 
Function

For example:

If x is influenced by y, then y is used by x.
If n is affected by m, then m is affecting n.

Consider the following statement:

if x is true then Function will set y=5

In this statement, x influences Function and Function affects y. This is shown in the matrix as follows:

For example, x is used by Function to determine whether to set the value of y, and Function is affecting y by setting its value.

There are four possible relationships between these functions: two opposites and two cause and effects.

To illustrate the relationships, consider the following static reaction in a state called STATE:

[D]/X=5 if D is true, then set x=y

The following table shows the relationships.

 
STATE reads D to determine whether to perform an action, and D gives STATE the cue to set X=Y.
In other words, STATE is influenced by D, and D is used by STATE.
X’s value is set by STATE and STATE sets the value of X.
In other words, X is affected by STATE, and STATE is affecting X.
STATE reads y to determine which value should be assigned to X, and while in STATE, X can be set to y.
In other words, when STATE is influenced by y, it results in X being affected by STATE.
If y is true, STATE sets the value of X. y is influencing STATE; STATE is affecting X.
In other words, when y is used by STATE, it results in STATE affecting X.