db_get_instance_attribute()

Returns an attribute (a string, integer, or handle) of a given instance given the instance handle and an attribute key. Except for the case of the INST_SPECIAL flags, the data base accessed with the db_get_instance_attribute() routine stores only unique data regarding an instance (for example, the instance ID such as C1). For the permanent or non-unique data use the dm_ routines, such as dm_get_item_definition_attribute(). These routines reference a component's AEL description and return data, such as the component parameter names, component description string, component netlisting information, etc.

Syntax:

db_get_instance_attribute(instHandle, instanceAttribute);

where

instHandle is a handle to an instance returned from a function, such as db_first_instance() or db_next_instance().

instanceAttribute is the data for the instance, where:

• INST_ID is a unique ID number for instance
• INST_TYPE is a type of instance; where:
• INST_SYMB_TYPE = instance is a symbol
• INST_REP_TYPE = instance is a representation
• INST_PSN_TYPE = instance is a parameterized subnetwork
• INST_ART_TYPE = instance is an artwork design
• INST_MACRO_TYPE = instance is an AEL artwork macro to generate layout data
• INST_NULL_TYPE = is an invisible instance used as a place holder or the end of an unconnected wire. Not netlisted.
• INST_SPECIAL is a flag indicating special status (port, gnd, etc); represents an "or" of the component attributes. Note: To use these you must bitwise & (AND) this against the INST_SPECIAL flag, such as: if( special & INST_GLOBAL)
• INST_EQUIV_CREATED = a flag indicating equivalent instance created.
• INST_READIN = a flag indicating instance reference in memory.
• INST_SELECT = a flag indicating instance selected.
• INST_VISITED = a flag indicating instance visited.
• INST_FROZEN = a flag indicating instance position frozen.
• INST_TRANSFORM_VALID = a flag indicating instance's transform valid.
• INST_HIGHLIGHT = a flag indicating instance highlighted.
• INST_DEACTIVATE = a flag indicating instance deactivated.
• INST_TUNE = a flag indicating instance can be tuned.
• INST_DRC = a flag indicating DRC error instance.
• INST_NO_PLOT = a flag indicating instance should not be plotted.
• INST_PARAM_ROWS = the number of rows per column.
• INST_TRANSFORM = the transformation matrix.
• INST_PARAM_HEAD = the head of the parameter list.
• INST_PIN_HEAD = the head of the pin list.
• INST_MASK_HEAD = the head of the mask list.
• INST_NAME = a unique name of the instance.
• INST_DESIGN_NAME = the name of design referenced.
• INST_SYMBOL_NAME = the name of the symbol file.
• INST_ART_NAME = the name of AEL artwork gen.
• INST_BBOX = the bounding box: 4 coordinates.
• INST_PROPERTY = the head of the property list.

Example:

decl instHandle = db_first_instance(repHandle);
decl xformHandle = db_get_instance_attribute (instHandle, INST_TRANSFORM);

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Change Component Scope to GLOBAL
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Where Used:

Schematic, Layout