Create a New Expression with the Expression Builder

The Expression Builder can be accessed from the project Rules tab or the Processing Options page in the Source Data Identifier wizard. The Expression Builder will help you to create an expression using the building blocks provided. However, you will need to understand how to create java expressions to be effective using the Expression Builder.

To create a new expression with the Expression Builder:

1. Start  and open the desired repository and project.

2. You can start the Expression Builder from either the project Rules tab or from the Processing Options page in the Source Data Identifier wizard.

   From the Processing Options page of the Source Data Identifier, click Edit next to Inbound or Outbound, depending on which you want to normalize.

   From the Rules tab, click Build in the Rule Logic section of the page.

3. Create your Expression. To do this you can drag statements, functions (including custom functions), and on the Resources tab the data elements and rule actions you need to complete the expression.

   For example, if you drag an "if" statement to the Expression box, it will look like this: 

   if( <condition> ) then
   {
   <expression>;
   }

   Dragging a statement ensures that the proper format is retained when the expression is created.

   Important

   Below the Expression box is a Properties description box. This contains information about anything you select on the Logic, Functions, or Resources tab, whether you include it in the expression or not. For example, if you select a function that contains parameters, expand the parameters list and you will find a definition of the parameters that will help you determine what you need to enter.

4. Drag a function (or data element or rule action) over the <condition> and <expression> to replace them.

   Important

   The <condition> and <expression> appear highlighted in red in the Expression Builder, making it obvious what needs to be replaced. If the function you drag requires parameters, they will also appear highlighted in red specifying that they need to be replaced with actual data.

   If you need to exit the expression, before it is complete and click OK, when you reopen the expression, any parts of the expression that were highlighted in red are no longer highlighted in red. If, for instance, you need to replace a string that appears highlighted in red when you click OK, it resolves the parameter to String. When you reopen the expression, you still need to find the strings that need to be replaced, even though they are no longer highlighted in red.

5. Drag any functions, data elements, or rule actions, or type the appropriate text for each parameter that needs to be entered.
6. After your expression is complete, click Validate Expression. This will return a message if you did not create a valid expression.

7. Click OK, and you will return to your previous location in the program.

   If you are on the Rules tab, the expression that you created will appear in the Rule Logic box. If you want to delete the expression, from the Rules tab you can either click Clear or click Build again and select everything and delete it.