When can you use an existing network parameter to add columns displaying items from a non-base master file?

When can you use an existing network parameter to add columns displaying items from a non-base master file?

• A. The only time this method should be used is if the template has a required networked parameter.
• B. The template should never require a networked parameter.
• C. Only when the non-base master file is read-only.
• D. Only when the network is unavailable.

Answer: (D)

The idea here is using a network parameter as a way to populate columns from a non-base master file in scenarios where you can’t reach the network. When the network is unavailable, you can’t pull fresh data from the network source, so you rely on whatever data the existing network parameter can provide offline. That makes this approach appropriate only in the offline case—it serves as a fallback so the template can still display items without network access. If the network were available, you’d typically pull items directly from the appropriate master file rather than rely on the offline/networked parameter, so this isn’t needed then. The other options don’t capture the practical reason for using the network parameter as a fallback: the required or constant presence of a networked parameter, or conditions tied to read-only status or network availability in general, don’t define the specific offline-use scenario this question targets.

The idea here is using a network parameter as a way to populate columns from a non-base master file in scenarios where you can’t reach the network. When the network is unavailable, you can’t pull fresh data from the network source, so you rely on whatever data the existing network parameter can provide offline. That makes this approach appropriate only in the offline case—it serves as a fallback so the template can still display items without network access.

If the network were available, you’d typically pull items directly from the appropriate master file rather than rely on the offline/networked parameter, so this isn’t needed then. The other options don’t capture the practical reason for using the network parameter as a fallback: the required or constant presence of a networked parameter, or conditions tied to read-only status or network availability in general, don’t define the specific offline-use scenario this question targets.