About the Expression Builder Window

The Simple section of the Expression Builder window lets you define a simple expression using conditions on the field from which you accessed the Expression Builder window.

The Simple section of the Expression Builder window contains the following features:

• And/Or: A list that appears for all rows except the first. You can use the And and Or options to establish relationships between expressions.

• Field: A read-only text box that displays the value in the Field cell for the field you selected.

• Operator: A list that displays the valid operators to use in the expression, depending on the type of field on which the expression is built.

  Field type	Options
  Text -or- Character -or- Numeric	equals
  	not equals
  	contains
  	does not contain
  	starts with
  	ends with
  	is null
  	is not null
  Date	equals
  	is at most
  	is at least
  	not equals
  	is less than
  	is greater than
  	is between
  	is null
  	is not null
  Logical	is true
  	is false
  	is null
  	is not null

• Value: A text box where you can enter the value you want to include in the expression.
• Add Condition: A button that displays another row of options which you can use to create additional expressions on the field.

The Advanced section of the Expression Builder window is divided into five main sections, as shown in the following image. These labels correspond to the numbered list following the image.

1. A text box that displays the expression itself. To build the expression manually, you can enter text directly into the text box. Otherwise, the expression will be built dynamically when you select tabs and values in the Expression Builder window.

2. Buttons that insert symbols to establish a relationship between parts of an expression, or that insert symbols to group those parts. Selecting a button will insert the corresponding symbol into the expression.

   Note:

   • If you are using date to build an expression, note that date can be entered in any of the acceptable formats. However, always be sure to select the date in the expression, and then select the Date button. Selecting the Date button converts the date in the expression to yyyy-mm-dd format.
   • The button opens the Prompt Settings section of the Expression Builder window, which has options that let you add a prompt to a query.
3. A list of tabs that you can use to toggle between categories for the valid components of the expression, which can include the following:
   • System Codes: This option appears only if a System Code Table Valid Values list has been defined for the selected field in the Rules Editor (i.e., if no Valid Values list has been defined, if the Valid Values list uses a static list of values, or if the Valid Values list is By Rule, this option does not appear). If this option appears and you select it, list 5 displays the following:
     • All the codes and descriptions for the appropriate System Code Table if the Valid Values rule is defined as System Code Table Only.
     • Only the codes and descriptions that meet the literal value criteria if the Valid Values rule is defined as System Code Table with Literal Reference. Additionally, if a literal reference has been defined, the reference value will appear in parentheses beside the table ID in list 4.

     • All the codes and descriptions for the appropriate System Code Table if the Valid Values rule is defined as System Code with Field Reference (i.e., in the absence of a field value to use as the reference, there is no way to limit the list).

     Note: When you select a System Code to include in your expression, the System Code ID (rather than the description) will be used. Even though System Code descriptions appear in the datasheet, the IDs are actually stored in the database. By using the ID instead of the description in the expression, your criteria will apply to all System Codes, including those with different, translated descriptions.

   • Tables: The database tables from which you can select fields to include in the expression. When you select the Tables option in list 3, list 4 displays the query source families, and list 5 displays all the fields in those families.
   • Functions: The three types of functions that you can include in the expression: GE Digital APM, Oracle, or SQL Server. When you select a function category in list 3, list 4 displays the types of functions in that category, and list 5 displays all the available functions.
   • Constants: The constants that you can include in the expression. A constant is a static value provided for comparative reasons. When you select the Constants option in list 3, list 4 displays the query source families, and list 5 displays all the fields in those families.
   • Operators: The symbols that you use to join parts of the expression. When you select the Operators option in list 3, list 4 displays different classifications of operators, and list 5 displays all the valid operators.

4. A list that displays a subset of options based on your selection in list 3. Selecting an item in this list limits the options in list 5.
5. A list that displays a subset of values based on your selections in lists 3 and 4. Selecting any item in this list will insert the value into the expression. The value will be inserted wherever the cursor is currently positioned.