Target Design

Complex Rules

Complex rules are managed in Target Design. They are not edited or submitted in Map. These mappings have a message on the record stating that the rule was created in Target Design. The mapping for a field with a Complex rule displays in Map with an Action of Manual Rule.  Users can add a description of a Complex rule with documentation and comments. Complex rules provide information that the Data Services developer uses when writing the rule. When an AutoGen request is processed, a placeholder where Complex rules can be developed is created.

Refer to Data Services AutoGen for more information.

This section contains the following topics:

NOTE: If a field has both a Complex and Basic rule, the mapping also displays in Map with an Action of Manual Rule on the Field Mappings page.

NOTE: After a Target with a Target field that has a Basic rule or Complex rule assigned is synced with Map, these rules are automatically sent to the Mapping Approval page for a developer to review them; however, they do not require approval to be used by Data Services AutoGen.

NOTE: If a Target’s Source mappings and Target mappings ({Target Rules}) are complete, and a Complex rule is added to a Target or field, Source mappings are not overwritten when the Target is synced to Map. Target mappings (as in, {Target Rules}) are overwritten when the Target is synced.

Add a Complex Rule

NOTE: Complex rules cannot be added to zLegacy fields.

NOTE: Complex rules can only be added to a Target field if the Target has a Design Status of In Design.

To add a Complex rule in Target Design:

  1. Select Target Rules > Complex Rules in the Navigation pane.

    NOTE: If no Complex rules have been added, the page displays in add mode. Otherwise, click Add.

    View the field descriptions for the Rules: Complex Rule page

  2. Enter a unique name for the rule in the NAME field.

    NOTE: The default name New Complex Rule cannot be used.

  3. Enter a description of the rule in the DESCRIPTION field.
  4. Update the ACTIVE check box as needed.

    NOTE: If a Complex rule is active, it can be assigned to a Target field.

  5. Click Save; the Vertical View displays.
  6. Select a type from the Rule Type list box.

    NOTE: This value, and the information in the fields listed below, is for documentation purposes only.

  7. Enter code, pseudo code or a rule definition in the Rule Syntax field.
  8. Enter supplemental information or instructions in the Comment field.
  9. Click Save.

    NOTE: Once saved, the documented rule can be assigned to Target fields. Refer to Assign the Complex Rule to a Target Field and Execution Stage for more information.

Sync Complex Rules with Map

Complex rules are documented and assigned to fields in Target Design and can store a SQL function, BODS functions or stored procedure. Once the fields' Target is synced to Map, the Target Rules for the fields display on the Field Mappings page.

For a field with a Complex rule that uses a BODS function, the settings on the Field Mappings page in Map are:

  • Action— Rule
  • Rule Status— Complete
  • Mapping Status— Complete
  • Edit, Reset, and Submit icons are disabled
  • Rule Comment— Indicates that the rule has been added in Target Design
  • Comment— Indicates that the rule has been added in Target Design
  • Mapped On— Displays the date that the Target was synced
  • Mapped By— Displays Target Design

If a Complex rule has a SQL function stored in Target Design, then the settings on the Field Mappings page in Map are:

  • Action— Manual Rule
  • Rule SQL:— Not Populated
  • Rule Status— Complete
  • Mapping Status— Complete
  • Edit, Reset, and Submit icons are disabled
  • Rule Comment— Displays the description or the Target Rules as added in Target Design
  • Comment— Indicates the rule has been added in Target Design  

Refer to Sync Map and Target Design for more information.

Assign the Rule to a Field and Execution Stage

After a Complex rule has been created it can be assigned to a Target field. When assigning a complex rule to a Target field, an execution stage must also be assigned.

Execution stages allow rules to be grouped for different execution levels. Individual Complex rules do not have a priority set in Target Design.

NOTE: Complex rules can only be assigned to fields when the Target Design Status is In Design.

To assign a Complex rule to a Target field in Target Design:

  1. Select Design in the Context bar.
  2. Click the Targetsicon on the Design page.
  3. Click the Fields icon for a Target.

  4. Click the Complex Rules icon.

  5. If no records exist, the page displays in add mode. Otherwise, click Add.

    6. View the field descriptions for the Rules: Field Complex Rules page

  6. Select the name of the Complex rule in the TARGET COMPLEX FIELD RULE ID list box.

  7. Click the + icon to add a Complex rule if needed.

    8. NOTE: Complex rules are added on the Rules: Complex Rule page. Refer to Add a Complex Rule for more information.

  8. Select the execution stage from the TARGET RULE EXECUTION STAGE ID list box.

    NOTE: Execution stages are added on the Rules: Execution Stage page. Refer to Add an Execution Stage for more information.

  9. Click Save.

    NOTE: Deleting the registration of a Complex rule to a Target field does not delete the Complex rule itself. The rule is still available on the Rules: Complex Rule page (Target Rules > Complex Rules).

Add an Execution Stage

The Execution stage allows Complex rules to be grouped for different execution levels during Data Services AutoGen. The Primary execution stage is created by default during installation and cannot be updated.

Creating additional execution stages is optional.

To create an execution stage in Target Design:

  1. Select Target Rules > Execution Stages in the Navigation pane.

  2. Click Add.

    View the field descriptions for the Rules: Execution Stage page

  3. Enter a unique name for the stage in the NAME field.

  4. Enter a value in the STAGE NUMBER field.

    NOTE: This number sets the order that rules assigned to this stage are added to the enrichment data flow. 

  5. Enter a brief description of the stage in the DESCRIPTION field.
  6. Click Save.

View Rules Assigned to an Execution Stage

To view the rules assigned to each execution stage in Target Design:

  1. Select Target Rules > Execution Stages in the Navigation pane.
  2. Click the Complex Rules icon for a NAME to view all of the Complex rules assigned to that stage.