True and False (SelectionCriterion functions): Difference between revisions

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{{Template:SelectionCriterion:True and False subtitle}}
{{Template:SelectionCriterion:True and False subtitle}}


These shared methods take no parameters and create a new <var>SelectionCriterion</var> object.
These [[Notation conventions for methods#Shared members|shared methods]] take no parameters and create a new <var>SelectionCriterion</var> object.
A <var>True</var> criterion returns true for any collection item;
A <var>True</var> criterion returns true for any collection item;
a <var>False</var> criterion returns false for any collection item.
a <var>False</var> criterion returns false for any collection item.
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<td>A <var>SelectionCriterion</var> object variable to contain the new object instance. </td></tr>
<td>A <var>SelectionCriterion</var> object variable to contain the new object instance. </td></tr>
<tr><th><var>%(SelectionCriterion For</var> itemtype)</th>
<tr><th><var>%(SelectionCriterion For</var> itemtype)</th>
<td>This optional specification of the class in parentheses indicates that the method is [[Notation conventions for methods#Shared methods|shared]] and does not operate on a specific instance. If you use this option, however, you must include the collection item type to which the selection expression will be applied, like this: <code>%(selectionCriterion For <i>itemtype</i>):</code> </td></tr>
<td>For a shared function, this optional specification of the class in parentheses denotes a [[Notation conventions for methods#Shared methods|virtual constructor]]. See [[#Usage notes|"Usage notes"]], below, for more information about invoking a <var>SelectionCriterion</var> virtual constructor. </td></tr>
</table>
</table>


==Usage Notes==
==Usage Notes==
<ul>
<ul>
As described in [[Object variables#Virtual Constructor methods|"Virtual Constructor methods"]], <var>True</var> and <var>False</var> can be invoked with
no method object, with an explicit class specification, or with an object variable of the class,
even if that object is <var>Null</var>:
<p class="code">%selCrit = True
%selCrit = %(SelectionCriterion for float):False
%selCrit = %selCrit:True
</p>
'''Note:'''
As shown in the second of these above, if you explicitly specify the
class name, you must include the item datatype of the collection to be searched, just as on a <var>SelectionCriterion</var> object variable's [[SelectionCriterion class#Declaring a SelectionCriterion object variable|declaration]].
<li><var>True</var> and <var>False</var> exist to simplify dynamic <var>SelectionCriterion</var>
<li><var>True</var> and <var>False</var> exist to simplify dynamic <var>SelectionCriterion</var>
applications.
applications.
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</p>
</p>


Similarly, if building a <var>SelectionCriterion</var> by using [[And and Or (SelectionCriterion functions)|And]] in conditions,
Similarly, if building a <var>SelectionCriterion</var> by using <var>[[And and Or (SelectionCriterion functions)|And]]</var> in conditions,
it might be useful to start out with a <var>True</var> <var>SelectionCriterion</var>.
it might be useful to start out with a <var>True</var> <var>SelectionCriterion</var>.
</ul>
</ul>

Revision as of 22:03, 1 August 2011

Create selection expression that returns any item or no items (SelectionCriterion class)


These shared methods take no parameters and create a new SelectionCriterion object. A True criterion returns true for any collection item; a False criterion returns false for any collection item.

True and False thus provide the equivalent of an empty SelectionCriterion, and they substitute for a New constructor in the SelectionCiterion class.

The collection searching method that makes use of a SelectionCriterion specifies:

  • Whether to return the first item or item number or all items that satisfy the selection criterion.
  • Where in the collection to begin searching.

Syntax

%selectionCriterion = [%(SelectionCriterion For itemType):]True

%selectionCriterion = [%(SelectionCriterion For itemType):]False

Syntax terms

%selectionCriterion A SelectionCriterion object variable to contain the new object instance.
%(SelectionCriterion For itemtype) For a shared function, this optional specification of the class in parentheses denotes a virtual constructor. See "Usage notes", below, for more information about invoking a SelectionCriterion virtual constructor.

Usage Notes

    As described in "Virtual Constructor methods", True and False can be invoked with no method object, with an explicit class specification, or with an object variable of the class, even if that object is Null:

    %selCrit = True %selCrit = %(SelectionCriterion for float):False %selCrit = %selCrit:True

    Note: As shown in the second of these above, if you explicitly specify the class name, you must include the item datatype of the collection to be searched, just as on a SelectionCriterion object variable's declaration.

  • True and False exist to simplify dynamic SelectionCriterion applications. If you are dynamically generating a SelectionCriterion, under some conditions you may want the criterion to select all objects or to select no objects. In addition, if you are building a SelectionCriterion by using Or in conditions, it might be useful to start out with a False SelectionCriterion:

    %sel = False if <somecondition1> then %sel = Or(%sel, Eq(foo, 'A')) end if if <somecondition2> then %sel = Or(%sel, Eq(foo, 'B')) end if if <somecondition3> then %sel = Or(%sel, Eq(foo, 'C')) end if

    Similarly, if building a SelectionCriterion by using And in conditions, it might be useful to start out with a True SelectionCriterion.

Examples

The following statements are equivalent:

%sel = and(ge(this, 22), true) %sel = ge(this, 22)

See also