Page Comparison

Elements of Graphical Rule

The Mapping Expression area has a floating menu that contains two options for you to switch between the Graphical and Textual rule. You can drag this floating menu anywhere in the Mapping Expression area. 

Graphical elements are components which are used to represent any source, destination, mapping function, or parameter elements visually in Mapping Expression area. The following types of annotations described type, behavior, and functioning of the graphical interface and their elements. 

• Inputs
• Label
• Context Menus

Inputs

The number of inputs a mapping function or a target element can have. Also, you can drag a line from input element to this section to use that as input in this mapping function/target element.

Label

The name of the element.

Element Type

Type of element being used in the mapping rule. The following list explains the types of elements:

Element type	Description
f(x)	A mapping function, variable, custom method, key function, context variable, connection variable, etc.
S	A source element.
D	A destination element.
T	An XSL Template.
VM	A Value Map.
C	A Constant value.

Context

Menus:  Context menus

Menu

Context Menu options are used to perform below the following actions:

• Start connecting lines to map an element to another element(s).
• Remove an element/box from the
graphical mapping workspace
• Mapping Expression area.
• More Menu
will have below options
• contains the following action items:
  • Information option to know the details about
mapping
• • the element.
  • Remove
incoming mappings
• • Mapping option to remove the mapping from the
elements
• • element.
  • Add
selected graphical mapping
• • As Local Variable option to add the  element's syntax/expression as a local variable.
    
Image Removed
Image Removed
• • 
    Image Added

Applying mapping functions using Graphical Rule

Mapping Expression tab gives you two interfaces, Textual and Graphical to perform the mapping. By default, the Graphical Rule is active.

You can use the option, Graphical Rule, available under the Mapping Expression tab in the web mapper. 

1.  Ensure that the source and destination layouts are loaded and all their elements are listed under their respective nodes.

2. Select a destination element which you want to map. 

   Tip
   Until you select a destination element first, the Mapping Expression tab will be grayed out.

   
   

3. Click Mapping Expression tab at the left bottom of the screen.
   The destination element that you have selected will be visible in the mapping expression area.

4. Double-click a source element that you want to map with the destination element. 

5. Click a mapping function that you want to use and select the desired sub-function and use it to map the source and destination elements. For example, using Concat sub-function.

   Note
   You can also add a parameters in the mapping expression area by double-clicking the parameter's name in the Parameters panel.

   
   

6. Click String mapping function and select Concat sub-function. 
   Once you have all the corresponding graphical elements (source elements, destination element, and mapping sub function) available in the mapping expression area, do the following:

   Tip
   You can drag and reposition the graphical mapping elements anywhere in the Mapping Expression area.

   1. Click each of the source elements and select the  icon from the Context Menu to connect the source with the respective Inputs of Concat sub-function. 

   2. Click the Concat sub-function and select the  icon from the Context Menu to connect with the destination element. 
      The source elements are now mapped with the destination element using Concat sub-function and the mapping is visible in the mapping panel.

      Tip
      You can reposition the entire mapping within the Mapping Expression area by clicking anywhere and moving the cursor.

      
      

You will be notified of an error message in the Comments section if the mapping function and destination element does not have the proper mapping. 

Color coding of connecting lines

The color of the connecting lines depend upon the following three factors:

Adding a constant

You can add a Constant while mapping the source and destination elements. This option is visible only when you are applying the graphical mapping rule.

Perform the following steps to add a Constant:

1. Click Add Constant button located at the bottom of the Mapping Expression window. 
   A graphical notation for the Constant will be added to the Mapping Expression area. 
2. Double-click the Constant notation. 
   Add Constant window appears.
3. Enter a constant value in the Constant Value field. 
4. Select the Add Quotes check box if the value is String type.
5. Click Ok.
6. Click the Constant notation and select the  icon from the Context Menu to connect with the destination element. 

Using Lookup Mapping for reference target field

When the destination element of target layout is a reference field, the Mapping Expression feature gives you an additional option Lookup Mapping in the floating menu.