# What Is the Programmer

Source: https://help.malighting.com/grandMA3/2.3/HTML/operate_programmer.html
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The programmer is a temporary memory where the edited values are placed. The values can then be stored or released.

Every user profile has a programmer.

The programmer has three levels:

- Selected fixture
- Active programmer values
- Deactivated programmer values

The programmer's values usually affect the system's output. However, there is a Blind function that allows hiding the programmer's values from the output.

Selected fixtures will be affected by encoder input or command line entries. For example:

|                                                                    |                                             |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------- |
| ![](/img/grandma3/2-3/icon_commandline-input_logo_v2-0-59d23e.png) | User name\[Fixture]>Fixture 1 At Preset 2.1 |

For more information, see [Encoder Bar](/grandma3/2-3/ws_encoder_bar/).

Active and deactivated programmer values can affect the output, but only active values will be stored. For more information, see [Store Options](/grandma3/2-3/cue_store_settings_preferences/). 

Selected fixtures can be identified with a yellow name and ID text color. The Fixture Sheet colors for active attribute layers are explained in detail in the [System Colors](/grandma3/2-3/ws_colors_system/) topic. 

![](/img/grandma3/2-3/window_fixture-sheet_example-d62d0f.png)\
_Values in programmer_

## Subtopics

- [Programmer Layers](/grandma3/2-3/fixture-sheet-dmx-layer/)
- [Programmer Parts](/grandma3/2-3/programmer-parts/)