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The Visual Integrator module uses four selection methods to qualify data records for importing. The value of a data item can be compared, based on its relationship to a specified value. This relationship can include any of the following criteria.

• Equal (=)

• Not equal (<>)

• Greater than (>)

• Less than (<)

• Greater than or equal to (>=)

• Less than or equal to (<=)

• Range (specified starting and ending values)

• List (equal to one of the values specified in a list)

The value of a data item can also be compared to a specified range of values. The characters of a data item can also be matched with a combination of specifically defined characters or wildcard characters. Finally, any non-numeric data item can be compared against a list of values.

In addition to selecting data records based on a single criterion, the selection process can be further defined by comparing records against additional data items. This extended selection process is accomplished using Boolean AND/OR logic.

If your selection criteria involve two data items and an "OR" relationship is specified, any data records containing data meeting either qualification will be selected for importing. If your selection criteria involve two data items and an "AND" relationship is specified, only those data records containing data meeting both qualifications will be selected for importing.

The following examples illustrate the record selection process. These examples show that the use of "OR" imposes less restriction; as a result, more data records will be imported. Conversely, the use of "AND" imposes greater restriction; as a result, fewer data records will be imported. If more than two data items are specified as selection criteria, the order in which the AND/OR logic is applied is of special importance for selection purposes.

 Example 1 - Record Selection Process

Using the following data records, assume that the import selection criteria designate that those records with ZIP Codes greater than 90000 "OR" current balance not equal to 0 are to be included in the import process. These criteria are illustrated below.

Item Name	AND/OR	Relation	Value
ZipCode		>=	90000
CurrentBalance	OR	<>	0

Note that the AND/OR column is always blank for the first selection.

These criteria will be applied to the following data records.

Record No.	Name	State	ZIP Code	Current Balance
1	Abraham	CA	95678	91.12
2	Baker	CA	92714	0.00
3	Carter	NY	10014	-0.95
4	Daniel	NY	10012	0.00
5	Edwards	CA	95677	315.25

In this case, data records for customers 1, 2, 3, and 5 would be included in the import process. The data records for customers 1, 2, and 5 would be included because the data item value for the ZIP Code is greater than or equal to 90000. The data record for customer 3 would also be included because the current balance is not equal to 0. Customer 4 would be excluded because neither the ZIP Code nor the Current Balance meets the selection criteria. Only one of the "OR" conditions must be met, in order to be selected for import.

 

 Example 2 - Record Selection Process

Using the data records from Example 1, assume that the import selection criteria designates that those records with ZIP Codes greater than 90000 "AND" Y-T-D Sales exceeding $1,000.00 are to be included in the import process. These criteria are illustrated below.

Item Name	AND/OR	Relation	Value
State		=	NY
CurrentBalance	AND	<>	0

In this case, only customer 3 would be included in the import process because the data item value for the State is NY "AND" the data item value for Current Balance is not 0. All of the "AND" conditions must be met, in order to be selected for import.

 

 Example 3 - Record Selection Process  

If more than two data items are specified as selection criteria, the order in which the AND/OR logic is applied assumes special importance, as illustrated in the following example. Given the previous data records, assume that the import selection criteria designate that those records with ZIP Codes greater than 90000 "AND" Current Balance greater than 0, "OR" a state code of NY are to be included in the import process. These criteria are illustrated below.

Item Name	AND/OR	Relation	Value
ZipCode		>	90000
CurrentBalance	AND	>	0
State	OR	=	NY

In this case, customers 1,3,4, and 5 would be selected for importing. In the Visual Integrator module, the Boolean AND/OR logic functions in a sequential manner. A given record is verified for compliance with the first defined criterion, then the second, and then the third.