Author expressions using the Expression Builder by completing the following steps:

1. Build the expression.

   You can:

   • Click Browse to open the leftmost panel, which displays the functions and properties that you can insert into the expression and the search feature.

   • Click Test so that the enhanced Expression Builder can validate your expression as you enter it. Any errors in your expression are displayed above the text editor.

     Syntax errors appear next to line numbers in whichever view you enter expressions.

   Complete any of the following actions:

   • Enter all or part of the expression in the text editor, including functions, operators, constants, and property references or linked property references.

   • Add properties.

     Complete any of the following actions:

     • Type "." in the text editor and select a property from the list.

     • Click Properties, select the page from which to reference the property, and drag the property to the text editor.

       Properties can be referenced from four types of pages:

       • Current Page – Includes a list of properties from your current case context.

       • Data Page – Includes a list of properties available from application data pages.

       • Parameter Pages – Includes properties defined as parameters on the invoking rule.

       • Custom Page – Includes properties from custom pages defined on the Pages & Classes tab of the invoking rule.

   • Add a function.

     Complete any of the following actions:

     • Type "@" in the text editor and select a function from the list.

     • Press Ctrl + the space bar and select a function from st.

     • Include a function by clicking Functions, selecting the library that contains the function, and dragging the function to the text editor.

     Note: The Expression Builder displays only non-internal functions. To display all functions in the system, see Displaying all functions in the Expression Builder.

   • In the text editor, enter an argument value for functions that require arguments.

   • Search for a property in your current page or for a non-internal function by entering all or part of the text for which you want to search in the search field and either click either the Search icon or press Enter. Search results appear in the pane, which you can drag into the text area.

2. Test your expression by completing the following actions:

   1. Click Test.

   2. In the Test data panel, enter input values for the properties that are referenced in the expression.

   3. Test either the entire expression or a fragment.

      Complete one of the following actions:

      • To test the entire expression, click an area other than a field to move your focus.

        The result of the test is displayed in the Result field that appears above the text editor.

      • Test a portion of the expression by selecting a fragment.

        The result of the test is displayed in the Result of selection field that appears above the text editor.

3. Click Submit.

• Expressions

  An expression is a single text element that when produces a string value. Users create both SQL expressions (or functions) for use in report definitions and Java expressions for use in activities and other rules.

• Examples of expressions

  Expressions provide a wide range of computations. Some examples of expressions are:

• Constants in expressions

  An expression can consist of only a constant — also called a literal value — or can include constants, operators, property references and functions.