3 | Data Rules - Using Regular Expression as a Qualifier

This article covers the basics of RegEx and gives some examples to demonstrate their use in Data Rules. A Regular Expression - or "RegEx" - is a form of code, which when used as the Rule Data to a Regular Expression Qualifier, can designate that the selected Field Name must contain a specific string or pattern of characters.

This article covers the basics of RegEx and gives some examples to demonstrate their use in Data Rules.

A Regular Expression - or "RegEx" - is a form of code, which when used as the Rule Data to a Regular Expression Qualifier, can designate that the selected Field Name must contain a specific string or pattern of characters.

In Bepoz, RegEx can be used to define Data Rules instead of other expressions. However, using this expression requires an operator with a good understanding of RegEx.

Prerequisites

To access Data Rule Settings, the applicable Operator Privileges will need to be enabled

Operator Maintenance 'General' Tab

System Setup: "Maintain Data Rules" Flag

Regular Expression (RegEx) Defined

The basic definition of Regular Expression in regards to Computing is 'A sequence of symbols and characters expressing a string or pattern to be searched for within a longer piece of text'
One of the commonly used types of Regular Expression is Validate an email address

A simple example of this expression is: [\w-]+@[\w-]+\.)+[\w-]+
Matches to this expression would include ex@gmail.com| a@b.c
Non matched would include adbdef | 1234
When used as Rule Data, the above expression would require a string of characters separated by @ and to include a '.' after the '@', however, does not require necessarily a.com, .org, .edu etc.

A slightly more complex Expression can be : ^[w-\.]+@([\w-]+\.)+[\w-]{2,4}$

Matches to this expression would include example&gmail.com | example@wrox.co.uk | example@domain.info
Non matched would include a@b | notanemail | joe@@
When used as Rule Data, the above expression matched email addresses and checks that they are in proper form

An even more complex Expression may be used as well, such as : ^(([A-Za-z0-9]+_+)|([A-Za-z0-9]+\-+)|([A-Za-z0-9]+\.+)|([A-Za-z0-9]+\++))*[A-Za-z0-9]+@((\w+\-+)|(\w+\.))*\w{1,63}\.[a-zA-Z]{2,6}$

Matches to this Expression would include a_g+ree@com.com | bep@oz.com | jim@jim.c.dc.ca
Non-Matches would include ar_.ar@com.com | gav@gav.c | jim@--c.ca
The above Expression verifies that

Only letters, numbers, and email acceptable symbols (+, _, -, .) are allowed
No two different symbols may follow each other
Cannot begin with a symbol
Ending domain must be at least 2 letters
Supports subdomains
TLD must be between 2 and 6 letters (Ex: .ca, .museum)
Only (-) and (.) symbols are allowed in the domain, but not consecutively

The complexity of the Regular Expression used would depend on user preferences and requirements
Interested in learning more about Regular Expressions? Check out some of the following links to learn more:

Regular Expression in Use

Standard Use without a Filter

When selecting Regular Expression as the Qualifier, the text entered for the Rule Data1 must be the Expression to be used
The following example relates to the above information, using the Email Validation Expression ^[\w-\.]+@([\w-]+\.)+[\w-]{2,4}$

In this example, based on the Regular Expression that is being used in, a valid email address will be required in the Email1 Field anywhere in Backoffice that contains Address Details, otherwise, the operator will receive the Failed Prompt Please Enter A Valid Email Address

Using a Filter

To limit the Data Rule requirements to only Accounts, a Filter can be used

Using both Filters

To limit the Data Rule requirement further, use both filters

In this example, the Data Rule requiring a valid email address will only apply when an Account's Do Not Email flag is disabled (they will accept Emails) and the Account's Do Not SMS flag is enabled (they do not want to receive any SMS)

Using Regular Expression as a Filter

Regular Expression can also be used as a Qualifier for a Filter

In this example, the Data Rule is stating that an Account's Do NOt Email flag must be disabled
The Filter then applies the Data Rule only when a valid email address is entered
Essentially, when a valid email address has been entered, the Account will be required to receive emails

When this example Data Rule is used in conjunction with a separate Data Rule requiring a Valid Email Address, an Account will be required to have a valid email address and will then be required to receive emails

Using Multiple Regular Expressions

Regular Expressions can also be used in both Data Rules and Filter/s

This Data Rule will require a valid Email Address when a valid Phone Number has been added for a Supplier

The RegEx used in this case to validate Australian Phone Number is : (^1300\d{6}$)|(^1800|1900|1902\d{6}$)|(^0[2|3|7|8]{1}[0-9]{8}$)|(^13\d{4}$)|(^04\d{2,3}\d{6}$)