Wildcards

Wildcards are used in order to filter data point names or data point element names using patterns. The characters * and ? are used for the purpose, where the asterisk (*) replaces any number of characters and the question mark ? stands for just one character. Neither wildcard characters can be used to replace the separators between the individual names . : ,[ ]. Thus a wildcard expression can only stand for one level of the name path at most, and must then be separated from the next level with the standard full stop or colon.

In order to address data elements including all those lying at a lower level, the element name path must be terminated with a semicolon ";". Wildcards can be used in arrays (square brackets"[ ]") or outside arrays in option lists (in curly brackets).

Wildcards can be used in SQL functions (see SQL) and in the function dpNames().

Arrays

Wildcards are used somewhat differently in array names (for instance for the i in [i]). Not only is the expression[*] valid, which addresses all elements in an array, but you can also list individual indices separated by a comma , inside the square brackets. You can also include a from-to specification in this listing using the dash - character.

  • [*] addresses all elements of an array. A list of individual array labels or a group of elements can be specified within the square brackets.
  • [1,2,5-10] addresses the elements 1,2,5,6,7,8,9,10. The order of the listing within the brackets is not relevant. Multiple occurrences are ignored.
  • The range details i-j always assume that i is < j. Otherwise i and j are reversed.
Note: If a semicolon is missing at the end of the address, the address in invalid.

List of Options

To specify a list of options outside arrays, the "{ }" curly brackets can be used. The individual elements in the list must be separated by commas (,")

  • SYS:Pumpe_{a,b,c}.EL:_original.._value selects the attribute _original.._value of the three data points Pumpe_a, Pumpe_b and Pumpe_c.
  • The expression ab { c, de, fff } xy is expanded to "abcxy", "abdexy" and "abfffxy".
    Note: A list of options must not contain any array labels.
  • {a,b,c}.EL:_original.._value With this formulation, all data point elements are addressed in the current system. The default system is always the system, if you have not explicitly selected a particular system with REMOTE 'System name' .
  • *; therefore, relates to all data points of the current system.
  • In contrast, *:*; selects all reachable systems.