expression

An expression is a single line of PRPC syntax that allows computation of a value using arithmetic operators, logical operators, Java operators, standard functions, and properties.

You can enter expressions into many form rules, including:

• Data transform rules
• Parameters to the Property-Set method and similar methods
• Declare Expression rules

Many expressions use notation similar to formulas in Microsoft Excel. The following are valid expressions, where HitCount is a Value mode property with a Type of Integer and SearchTerm is a property with a Type of Text:

3.14159 * .HitCount * .HitCount
.HitCount + 7
@if ( HitCount > 0 ), SearchTerm, "Not found")
State("MA").County("Suffolk").District( HitCount / 2)

As these examples suggest, expressions many involve property names, operators such as + and >, constants, parentheses, and functions such as @if(). In addition, PRPC can automatically convert (or "coerce") a value from one data type to another to support the evaluation of an expression.

On many forms, you can start the Expression Builder to provide prompting and guidance while entering an expression.

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