# How do I edit an Application Variable during a Build?

**URL:** https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/how-do-i-edit-an-application-variable-during-a-build/5314
**Category:** Discussion
**Created:** [February 16, 2015, 12:00pm UTC](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/how-do-i-edit-an-application-variable-during-a-build/5314 "2015-02-16T12:00:28Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![ylandeck](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/y/838e76/32.png) [@ylandeck](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/u/ylandeck)
#### Post date: [February 16, 2015, 12:00pm UTC](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/how-do-i-edit-an-application-variable-during-a-build/5314/1 "2015-02-16T12:00:28Z")

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Hi,  
  
I currently have the problem that I want to change an Application Variable set in Continua during various Builds.I am speaking of a global Build Number which is included into every Build and called at the “Version Format String”. The thing is that I cannot use a normal Project or Configuration Variable because I want the Buildnumber to be used by every Project.  
  
My question is, how can I increase this Variable during a Build by running an Action for example? Or is there any other conclusion on how to increase the Buildnumber for every Project and Configuration?  
  
Regards  
Yannick Landeck

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### Author: ![Sparky](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/user_avatar/www.finalbuilder.com/sparky/32/10_2.png) [@Sparky](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/u/Sparky)
#### Post date: [February 17, 2015, 6:27am UTC](https://www.finalbuilder.com/forums/t/how-do-i-edit-an-application-variable-during-a-build/5314/2 "2015-02-17T06:27:50Z")

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Hi Yannick,  
  
We don’t currently have any way to define a global variable. The main issue is that builds can run concurrently and the order of build numbers may be unexpected. We do however plan to investigate options in this area.&nbsp;  
  
Meanwhile the only way to achieve this functionality would be to write a program or script which increments a number based on an external data store. If run from an Execute Program Action, the program can update the Build Version by writing [custom log messages](http://wiki.finalbuilder.com/display/continua/Custom+Log+Messages) to the console.   
  
e.g. @@continua[setBuildVersion value=‘1.2.3.4’] or @@continua[setVariable name=‘versionNumber’ value=‘1’]  
  
  
  
  
  
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