Enables you to define consistency criteria by creating one or more logical expressions and associating an action with specific expressions. A logical expression is a relationship created between two operands by means of a logical operator. An operand can be a rule component that you specified on the Rule Components tab, or you can use the Value operand to create a logical expression using a value of a specific property selected for a rule component.
A logical expression consists of the left and right parts separated by an operator:
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Left part — Must always contain Operand 1 and its property, where Operand 1 represents a rule component.
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Right part — Can contain either a rule component as an Operand 2 and its property or the Value operand and a value specified for the property of Operand 1.
Operand 1 — Enables you to select a rule component specified in the Rule Components tab.
Property — Allows you to select from a list of appropriate properties for the rule component that you select from the Operand 1 list.
The Operand 1 and its property, are available when you select either Check data or Control graphic interface, from the General tab > Rule action area.
All the additional fields bellow are only available when you select Check data, from the General tab > Rule action.
Function — Enables you to select, if required, a function that will be applied to the selected property;
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Length – Number of characters in string
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Lower – String is lowercase
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No Spaces – String contains no spaces
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Substring – Part of the property string
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Trim – Removes empty spaces before and after the property string
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Upper – String is uppercase
Start — A numeric value only used with a Function substring to set the start point for the substring.
Length — A numeric value only used with a Function substring to set the length of the substring.
Copy — Allows you to copy values from one field to another;
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–> Copy item 1 to new item 2
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<– Copy item 2 to new item 1
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< Copy item 2 to item 1 if null
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<= Copy item 2 to item 1
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<=> Copy bidirectional
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<> Copy bidirectional if null
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=> Copy item 1 to item 2
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> Copy item 1 to item 2 if null
Compare — Enables you to select an operator for the logical relation. For more details, see Operator Descriptions. Also, you can select Custom Validation or Custom Update if you want to add a rule that extends the core validation or update of the software. Note that for these two rules to work, additional programming is required. For details, see the Smart Instrumentation Programmer's Guide.
Operand 2 — Enables you to select a rule component specified in the Rule Components tab, or select the Value operand of a property selected in the Property column. If you select a rule component, you create a relationship between properties of rule components. If you select the Value operand, you create a relationship between a rule component property and the property value.
Property/Value — Depending on the selection in the Operand 2 column, lists properties or values. If in the Operand 2 column you selected a rule component, you can select a property of a specific item type. If in the Operand 2 column you selected the Value operand, you can type a value for the property defined in the Property column. Depending on the operator, a value can be free text or a number of units of measure separated by commas or semi colons.
When you type a unit of measure, the software converts the value automatically to
the default units of measure defined in Smart Instrumentation.
Function — Enables you to select, if required, a function that will be applied to the selected property;
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Length – Number of characters in string
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Lower – String is lowercase
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No Spaces – String contains no spaces
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Substring – Part of the property string
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Trim – Removes empty spaces before and after the property string
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Upper – String is uppercase
Start — A numeric value only used with a Function substring to set the start point for the substring.
Length — A numeric value only used with a Function substring to set the length of the substring.
Action
Displays a list from which you can select an action for the software to perform in case of inconsistency. In Smart Instrumentation, the software applies an action only when the software detects a rule inconsistency (that is, whenever a user violates the logical expression with which you associate the action). For Rule Inconsistencies information, see Rule Inconsistencies Dialog Box.
Error — Rejects user operation automatically and notifies the user about the rule inconsistency. This action enables you to prevent the user from accepting the operation when the software detects an inconsistency.
Log — Records the rule inconsistency to the log file without notifying the user.
Warning — Prompts the user to reject or accept the operation when a rule inconsistency is found. This action gives the user flexibility in making an appropriate decision.
To expand the dialog box so that you can view more information, drag the edges.