Access local variable from another button

[arikorn]

Is this a feature relevant to companion itself, and not a specific module?

• [x] I believe this to be a feature for companion, and is not specific to a module

Is there an existing issue for this?

• [x] I have searched for similiar existing issues

Describe the feature

Currently it is possible to set another button's local variable using the action internal: Local Variable: Set with expression, but I see no corresponding way to get the value of another button's local variable.

A "very" simple change would be to add to the variable syntax something like $(_page_/_row_/_col_:x)? As best as I can tell without looking at the code, the syntax should be ok... Alternatively: add a local-variable "feedback" that sets a new local variable to the value of another button's local variable.

Usecases

Use case (taken from Dan Soethe's FB post):

Make a rotary encoder set a local variable incrementally, i.e. $local:x) = $(local:x) +/- 1, and then display the value on the corresponding button (think SD+ and knobs and LCD-strip).

You can do it now by having the encoder set the value in the LCD button, but it seems to me more natural (client-server-ish) to have the variable stored in the encoder and any other button that wants to access it can do so.

[Julusian]

This is not trivial to achieve (in the current architecture), in particular I am worried about the performance cost of throwing even more variables into the global pool. In the current system, whenever a variable changes we are telling various places 'these variables changed', as we arent tracking what is used where.

I dont 100% remember, but I think it was intentional to not expose the local variables outside of a control. I think the only reason it is possible to set one externally is because it was simple to implement

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Perhaps another option is to be able to reference $(target:abc) inside the Local Variable: Set with expression action?