Function Syntax and Formatting

Introduction

Functions follow a specific syntax that allows data to be interpreted and executed as commands or code. This guide explains function structure, parameters, and data formatting.

Function Structure

Functions use the following format:

<%${library:function_name(argument1, argument2, ...)}%>

Key Syntax Elements

Formatting Parameters

Parameter values vary depending on their source and type.

Static Values

• String Values: Enclosed in single quotes ('example').

• Operators & Comparisons: ('<=', 'empty', 'null') enclosed in single quotes.

• Boolean Values: 'true', 'false' (in single quotes).

• Numeric Values: Entered without quotes (1234).

Referencing Data

Functions can retrieve values from different data sources, including attributes and related data sets.

Attributes

• Referenced using the format:

  user.customAttribute['AttributeName']

  Example:

  user.customAttribute['Destination']

Linked Related Data Sets

• Referenced similarly to attributes, using:

  user.relatedAttribute['DataSetName']['ColumnName']

  Example:

  user.relatedAttribute['Orders']['TotalPrice']

  Retrieves the TotalPrice from the Orders dataset linked to user.Email.

Unlinked Related Data Sets

• Requires the ecx:related function to identify values using a key.

  ecx:related('DataSetName', user['KeyAttribute'])['ColumnName']

  Example:

  ecx:related('OrderTotalsPerCustomer', user['Email'])['TotalOrderValue']

  Retrieves TotalOrderValue from OrderTotalsPerCustomer using user.Email as the key.