XPath - Part 5: Complex Filters

Objective

To combine logical operators to create a complex filter set, while creating a list of all products shipped by a certain shipper AND where the shipping cost is less than a LowerCost parameter OR is greater than an UpperCost parameter.

Background Information

Suppose the character Spock from the Star Trek series asks you to filter a set of data. Logical beings such as the Vulcans can’t help but use logical operators from time to time, so either you’re on your own, OR you can read this tutorial AND learn how to create complex filters using the logical operators: AND and OR (AKA in the data wizards, all conditions, and any condition). It is also pertinent to know that many different data types can be compared, even dates and times.

Pre-requisites

Inserting a Tag, ForEach Tag, XPath - Part 1: Basic Selection, XPath - Part 2: Sorting with Orderby, XPath - Part 4: Filtering with Parameter Values

Starting Template

This tutorial is a continuation of the XPath Wizard tutorials, so we will start with the template from XPath - Part 4: Filtering with Parameter Values. If you haven’t already completed that tutorial, or you discarded the template, you should go back and create that template according to the instructions in the previous tutorials. The template needed is shown below.

Procedure

1. Add 2 more Integer Parameters

We’re going to create two more parameter filters as done in Part 4 of the XPath Wizard tutorials, so from the AutoTag Manager ribbon, open up the Parameters window and create two parameters. The first is named LowerCost. It’s type is Integer and it’s default value is 5. The second is UpperCost which is an Integer defaulting to 10.

We are filtering out a range of values, so we want everything under a certain price, and everything over a certain price, but nothing in between. LowerCost is the lower end of that range and UpperCost is the upper end. This may seem like a nonsensical way to make a document, but the possibilities with AutoTag are endless, and sometimes it’s fun just to see how something is done, or to satisfy a curiosity!

Show Me How!

2. Open XPath Wizard

Now, open the XPath Wizard. Select the ForEach tag and click Wizard in the AutoTag ribbon. You know how to do this already!

Show Me How!

3. Add a group where any condition is true

You have added groups before, but this time the group and a condition are already there. The existing group says “where all of the following conditions are true.” Now we’re going to add a group within that group. Click to add a group, and clickall to replace it with any. What this means is we want A and either B or C. All of A, and (B OR C) must be true. For (B OR C) to be true, any of B or C must be true.

Show Me How!

4. Add a condition such that Freight is less than or equal to $(LowerCost)

We are adding two conditions here, and you have done this before so this is simple. Click to add a condition, set thenode to Freight, click equal to and change it to less than or equal to, then set the value to $(LowerCost) by selecting the parameter from the list.

Show Me How!

5. Add a condition such that Freight is greater than or equal to $(UpperCost)

Add the second condition just like the previous step, except this time it is greater than or equal to, and the value is $(UpperCost).

Show Me How!

6. Set the parameters and generate the document

Just as in Part 4, you’ll generate the document by clicking output, then setting the Parameters. You have three to set this time! For this example document, we use 2 for the ShipperID, 1 for the LowerCost and 5 for the UpperCost.

Show Me How!

Quiz Yourself!

How many levels of groups can you create in the XPath Wizard filtering box?
As many levels as I have conditions to fill them with. The Wizard will delete empty groups.
Only 1 as shown in this tutorial
About 5.
Unlimited. I can just keep adding empty groups and they will stay there when I open the XPath Wizard again.
True/False: Filters can test any data type
Yes, with obvious limitations. Pictures cannot be compared (but paths stored as strings can), and with dates and times, it depends on the XML Schema.
Yes. SQL Wizard is all powerful. It can even compare files, pictures, and DNA.
No. Only numbers
No. Only numbers and limited operations on text.

Congratulations!

You have completed this tutorial. We recommend taking a look at the XPath - Part 6: Filtering with Sub-Nodes tutorial next!

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