Expressions use functions, arguments and references to map elements in order to define the actions to be performed in the map.
An expression can use three types of elements:
- Functions: units of code that accept arguments and return a single value.
- Arguments: parameters used to define a function, a filter for example.
- Map elements: references to elements in the input or output structure of the map.
In the expression below, SimpleLoop
is a function, Input
Map Element
, Filter
, Sort Keys
,
and Contexts
are arguments and
/PurchaseOrderShipping/Address
is a reference to a map
element.
Expressions can be displayed in two formats:
- As tree nodes, like in the example above, which allows you to edit the expression by dragging an dropping functions and map elements.
- As text, which allows you to manipulate the expression by typing. The following
text represents the same expression as in the image
above:
SimpleLoop(in$/PurchaseOrderShipping/Address,{Filter},{Sort Keys},{Contexts})
Expressions are displayed as trees by default, but you can change this parameter in the preferences. For more information, see General preferences.