Data Transformation Engine Functions and Expressions Reference Guide

Chapter 2 - Using Functions Function Argument Syntax
Functions and Expressions Reference Guide
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object name. Depending on the function, one or many data objects can be used
for an input argument for one function evaluation.
In the list of functions that appear in Chapter 3 - Function Reference, each
function input argument has a syntax definition that indicates:
♦ the number of objects that can be used for each argument for one function
evaluation, expressed as either "single" or "series"
- followed by -
♦ the type of expression that can be used for each argument.
For the output argument, the syntax specification is similar to the input argument
syntax, except that the output is always used as a specific type of object, not an
expression.
For example, single-item-expression means one evaluation operates on a single
item that can be defined as an item expression. Series-item-expression means
one evaluation operates on one or more input argument items that can be defined
as an item expression.
In the list of functions in the next chapter, the following terms are used to
describe the syntax of function arguments.
Term Explanation
general-expression Any valid combination of object names, literals, operators,
function names, and map names.
condition-
expression
Any valid combinations of object names, literals,
conditional operators, and functions whose output
arguments are specified as TRUE or FALSE.
item-expression Any valid combination of object names, literals, operators,
and functions whose output argument is specified as an
item.
If an item must be interpreted as a date, time, or number,
the item is referenced by its interpretation. For example, if
an item-expression must be text, it is specified as text-
expression.
object-expression An object name or a series producing function.
If an object expression is further limited to be an item, it is
specified as item-object-expression.