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This is where an adminstrator may create or modify cross-field
validation rules. Cross-field validations are used by the
system to enforce certain relationships amongst the account
field values. These rules are used by webTA to determine if
a given account may be used. They are also used to aid
in account creation.
Each cross-field validation rule may have a start and end date
that determine the time frame in which the rule applies. Enter
these into the Start Date and End Date fields.
If either of the Start Date or End Date fields are left blank
then the rule's peredod of availabilty is considered to have no
start or end boundary respectivly.
Glossary or Terms
The following is a list of terms used to help explain how
a cross-field validation rule is assembled.
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Comparison Operators - These are used to compare a
particular account field to a particular value. For example,
field1 = ABCD. The available comparison
operators are:
- Equals (=)
- Not Equals (<>)
- Less Than (<)
- Less Than or Equals (<=)
- Greater Than (>)
- Greater Than or Equals (>=)
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Logical Operators - These are used to combine
two expressions (leaf node or composite) in a logical way.
There are two logical operators:
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AND - States that both expressions must be true.
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OR - States that at least one expression must be true
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Leaf Node Expression - A leaf node expression is the
simplest type of expression in a cross-field validation
rule. It uses the comparison operators and specifies an
account field and the comparison value. For example,
field1 = ABCD.
When specifying the comparison value of a leaf node
expression certain wild card characters may be used.
- % - Used to specify any number of characters with
any value. "A%" matches "ABCD", "A123"
, etc...
- _ - An underscore character specifies one
character of any value. "A_CD" matches
"ABCD" , "AZCD", etc...
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Composite Expression - A composite expression is
made up of two expressions (leaf node or composite) joined
by a logical operator. For example,
field1 = ABCD AND field2 <= XYZ
Creating / Editing a Cross-field Validation Rule
A cross-field validation rule is comprised of an IF clause and
a THEN clause. When webTA applies a rule to an account it first
checks that the IF clause is satified by the account. If so, the
THEN clause is applied to the account. In this case the account
is considered valid if the THEN clause is satisfied. Should IF
clause not be satisfied the account is still considered valid
for that rule.
On the Edit Account Field Validation Rule page the IF
clause and THEN clause are represented in separate tables on the
page. Each table is a workspace where the administrator may
add and edit expressions, or combine expressions into the
one expression used for the particular clause. In order to
save the cross-field validation rule, each clause table must
contain exactly one expression. However, until that time, the
tables may contain as many expressions as necessary.
Editing and creating the IF and THEN clause expressions is done
in the same way. The clause tables contain a list of expressions
along with a check box by each one. To perform an operation on
the table, select the desired expression(s) and click on one
of the operation buttons from the button row at the bottom of
that table. Some operations require that two expressions be
selected , and others require one expression. The indivual
operations are explained below.
And
Combines two expressions with an AND operator. This function
requires that two expressions be selected
OR
Combines two expressions with an OR operator. This function
requires that two expressions be selected
Not
Negates the selected expression by altering its operators in
such a way that the resulting expression is opposite the
selected one. This function requires that one expression be
selected.
Delete
Remove the selected expression from the table. This function
requires that one expression be selected.
Break
Splits the selected expression into its two operand expressions.
The logical operator in bold is known as the break point. This
is where the expression is split.
This function requires that one composite expression be
selected.
Edit
Allows the adminitstrator to modify the selected leaf node
expression. This function requires that one leaf node
expression be selected.
New
Creates a new leaf node expression. All selected expressions
are ignored for this function.
Other functions
Save
Saves the cross-field validation rule to the database. This
function requires that each of the clause tables contain
exactly one expression.
Cancel
Discards any changes and returns to the Edit Account Field
Validations page.
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