An extremely flexible dynamic data import/export Definition can be created using parameters. In order to embed parameters into a Definition, you can enter placeholders (like $Database$) or alternatively use the Parameter Heater. Placeholders can be used practically anywhere you can enter text (see the list at the bottom). To do this you surround the parameter name with leading and trailing dollar symbols ($ParameterName$).

 

Note: Several placeholders can be used in combination.

e.g. $SQL-SERVER$\$INSTANCE-NAME$

The names of parameters can be chosen freely and they are insensitive to differences in case. The placeholder is substituted by the current value of the actual parameter. You can control the output format of the parameter using the settings for "Format value as" as well as the defined "Format." The standard format of the Adapter on the WRITE side is used if no alternative format is selected.

As many parameters as you wish can be defined. Each parameter can be assigned a standard (default) value. This value will be used in case the parameter has yet to be assigned a specific value.

Parameters can be assigned a new value in the following ways

1. Using the Set function in the Parameter Heater
2. On the command line of the Batch Module using the option /SetParameter ParameterName=value
3. Using the .NET Script Heater
   C# Code
   Parameter[“ParameterName”].Value = value;
   
   VB Code
   Parameter(“ParameterName”).Value = value

 

The following Adapter and Heater (functions) support parameter placeholders

General

• As value for the Default Value property

TextFile Adapter

• In the file names

Database Adapters (Access, SQL-Server, Oracle, MySQL, ODBC, OleDB)

• In the database names
• In the server names
• As user and password entries
• For the names of SQL scripts to output
• In the SQL select statement. e.g. SELECT * FROM export-table WHERE id > $LAST_ID$

Excel Adapter

• For the file name (workbook)
• As specification of the spreadsheet name (sheet)
• As definition of the cell range to read (columns and rows from/to)

Replace Heater

• In the strings for search and replace
• As the default value in case the search string is not found

X-Value Heater

• As replacement for the static value

Lookup Heater

• As specification of the table name
• As specification of the field name to lookup
• As specification of the WHERE clause
• As specification of the OrderBy clause

Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division Heaters

• As specification of the operands

Heater IF-THEN-ELSE

• As specification of the conditions.
  Tip: This feature now enables you to compare two (or more) database fields.
  How to: First assign a parameter with the contents of the second database field to be compared. Connect the first database field as the value with the IF-THEN-ELSE Heater and the parameter placeholder for the second field enter as the condition.