Expressions

Introduction

An expression is a complex mathematical construction built using operands and operators. The simplest of expressions can have one operand, returning its value: 6 or $now. Generally, expressions contain multiple operands separated by operators. The operands represent the values, while the operators provide the operations to be performed on these values. Here's a simple example of a two-operand expression: 6 + 4. In this example, there are two operands, 6 and 4 and one operator, +, the mathematical addition operator. The result of this expression is obviously 10.

Using an expression

When building a webCoRE piston, there are several ways values can be provided within piston operands. The operand type selection allows for several types, among which the Value and the Expression types. When a Value type is selected, a Value field is displayed right next to the operand type selector. When an Expression type is selected, an Expression field is displayed underneath the selector and provides multiple line editing and autocomplete suggestions. Expressions can be used directly in an Expression field, but they can also be embedded into Value fields, by using the curly brackets {<expression>}. This allows for quick use of expressions while building, say, an output string:

The sum of 6 and 4 is {6 + 4}

webCoRE will parse anything that is between curly brackets as expressions and handle them as such.

Values versus Expressions

Which one you end up using is really a matter of choice, they can both do the same exact thing, although they differ from each-other. A Value field is an output-driven field, meaning it makes it easy to build output strings that need to be displayed in logs, notifications, etc. Think of a Value field like an Expression field that has implied double quotes (") at the start and end. In reverse, an Expression field is similar to a Value field that has curly brackets around it. Here's an example:

We can convert this Value field : The sum of 6 and 4 is {6 + 4} into an Expression field by simply placing double quotes around it: "The sum of 6 and 4 is {6 + 4}"

We can convert this Expression field : "The sum of 6 and 4 is " + (6 + 4) into a Value field by simply placing curly brackets around it: {"The sum of 6 and 4 is " + (6 + 4)}

All four examples above are equivalent and will output the same result: The sum of 6 and 4 is 10

Expression operands

Expression operands come in different types:

• literal strings

  contain strings, pieces of text that will be output as-is, like that "The sum of 6 and 4 is " above

• numeric values

  anything like integer numbers or decimal numbers: 6 or 2.4

• variables

  the name of any defined variable, local, system, or global, can be simply written and the expression will know to replace that with its actual value, for example $now

• functions

  webCoRE allows functions in expressions, these can help convert values around and extend the power of expressions, for example dewPoint(77, 80), or round(6.24)

• device attributes

  use the special construction [name:attribute] or [variable:attribute] to include the attribute value of that device.

• devices

  use the special construction [name] or [variable] to point to a device. This is not a device attribute, but the device itself and when converted to string will give the device's name