Conditions

A condition is a name and value pair. A condition expression can be applied as an attribute to data then used when needed, to filter the data for publishing or viewing.

Conditions are applied to your data using the Content Manager attribute ishcondition. Decide on your set of conditions based on what you want your authors to tag as unique data for a product, situation, or circumstance. Define your conditions to satisfy specific filtering requirements for viewing or publishing the data. For instance, data that is appropriate only in specific circumstances may be tagged with a condition that identifies it as such. When viewing or publishing, if a particular circumstance applies, then the data is included. However if the circumstance does not apply, the data can be filtered out so the reader does not see unrelated or inappropriate data.

The condition name-value pair should encompass a minimal requirement. Writers can then combine conditions when necessary to appropriately tag data. For instance, when changing a flat tire on your vehicle, some information may apply if the work is being done in a garage, other information may apply if the work is being done on the side of the road. Other conditions may also exist, such as if the vehicle has hubcaps that need to be removed. Data can be tagged to accommodate a combination of conditions or a single condition if each condition name-value pair is independent of the other.

There are four kinds of conditions. You select the condition type when you create the condition name:
  • Text
  • Date
  • Number
  • Version

Condition names

You can use the following characters in condition names:
  • Numeric characters
  • Alphabetic characters, including unicode characters
Do not use the following characters:
  • Comma (,)
  • Colon (:)
  • Space
  • Left bracket (<)
  • Right bracket (>)
  • Equal sign (=)
  • Exclamation point (!)
  • Left parenthesis ( ( )
  • Right parenthesis ( ) )

If these characters are used, Content Manager converts the character to an underscore and the value with the underscore is stored in the Internal Name field. The value in the Internal Name field is used when Content Manager calculates the condition for publication.

Condition values

You can use the following characters in condition values:
  • Numeric characters
  • Alphabetic characters, including unicode characters
Do not use the following characters:
  • Comma (,)
  • Colon (:)

If these characters are used, Content Manager converts the character to an underscore and the value with the underscore is stored in the Internal Name field. The value in the Internal Name field is used when Content Manager calculates the condition for publication.