Cartesian Operator

The Cartesian operator inputs two arrays and outputs a single array. The two arrays must be structured as a table with two rows because this operator only has one input port. This new array contains each possible combination of the source arrays’ values. The output displays as a set of ordered pairs. For example, source arrays of ["A", "B"] and [1,2] produce the combinations [["A",1], ["A",2], ["B",1], ["B",2]]. This function is like a Cross Join, or Cartesian Product, in SQL coding language.

A common comparison involves a deck of cards. A standard deck includes an array of 13 different values (two, three, four, and so on), when considering the cards by rank. But, when considering the cards by suits, the deck includes an array of four values (clubs, hearts, spades, and diamonds). If you apply the Cartesian operator to these two arrays, the output is a single array of 52 ordered pairs. Each ordered pair represents a card in the deck.

This operator lets you create all possible combinations using rows of data. Let’s say you’re tracking the success of your company's marketing strategies. The Cartesian operator helps track the success of these strategies across different demographics. You can use the Cartesian operator to generate the combinations of that data.

You’ll find the Cartesian operator in the Table group to the left of the Data Workflow canvas.

About the Info Window

Here's a breakdown of each setting in the Info window:

Adding a Cartesian Operator

To see this operator in action, you'll create a simple module. You'll begin with some sample data and use a Data Workflow and Cartesian operator to view all of the possible combinations.

These instructions assume that you have a new module open, saved, and with a title.

Configure the Data Table Component

Begin with a two-column Data Table component. Column A stores the values x, y, z, and Column B stores the values 1, 2, 3. There are nine ordered pairs after you pass the data to a Cartesian operator.

1. In the Module Builder, drag and drop a Data Table component onto your canvas.

2. In the Property ID and Label fields, enter dtSampleData.

3. In the data table, enter the following:

   	A	B
   1	x	1
   2	y	2
   3	z	3

   

4. Click Save.

Configure your Data Workflow Component

Use an Input operator to bring your data into the Data Workflow. From there, use two Col2Array operators to convert your data table into two separate arrays. Then, pass the data to a Create Table operator and two Set operators to pass the arrays as one input to your Cartesian operator. Lastly, connect your Cartesian operator to a Console operator to view the results.

1. Drag and drop a Data Workflow component onto your canvas, placing it below your Data Table component.

2. In the Canvas Label Text and Property Name fields, enter dwfCartesian.

Configure the Input Operator

Use an Input operator to bring your data into the Data Workflow.

1. Drag and drop an Input operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.

2. Configure the operator’s Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Input
   Component	dtSampleData
   Required	Yes
   Source	Default

Configure the First Col2Array Operator

This operator converts Column A from your data table to an array.

1. Drag and drop a Col2Array operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.

2. Configure the operator’s Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Col2Array
   Label	Column A
   Preserve Argument Type	(unchecked)
   Drop Empty
   Path	A
   Default Value

3. Connect the output port (right) of the dtSampleData Input operator to the input port (left) of the Column A Col2Array operator.

Configure the Second Col2Array Operator

Set up the second Col2Array operator. This operator turns Column B from your Data Table into an array.

1. Drag and drop another Col2Array operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.

2. Configure the operator’s Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Col2Array
   Label	Column B
   Preserve Argument Type	(unchecked)
   Drop Empty
   Path	B
   Default Value

3. Connect the output port (right) of the dtSampleData Input operator to the input port (left) of the Column B Col2Array operator.

Configure the Create Table Operator

The Cartesian operator only allows one input, so you must bring your two arrays together. Use a Create Table operator and two Set operators to combine both arrays into a table.

1. Drag and drop a Create Table operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.

2. Configure the operator’s Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Create Table
   Label
   Preserve Argument Type	(unchecked)
   Create Index	No
   Rows	1

Configure the First Set Operator

Use two Set operators to add your arrays to your empty table. The first Set operator puts the values x, y, and z into the path [0].value. So, the array [x,y,z] is the output from the Column A Col2Array operator. The Set operator sets it as the value of an object at index 0 of the array.

1. Drag and drop a Set operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.

2. Configure the operator’s Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Set
   Label	[0].value
   Preserve Argument Type	(unchecked)
   Path	[0].value
   Value
   Default Value

3. Connect the output port (right) of the Create Table operator to the upper input port (left) of the [0].value Set operator.

4. Connect the output port (right) of the Column A Col2Array operator to the bottom input port (left) of the [0].value Set operator.

Configure the Second Set Operator

The second Set operator puts the values 1, 2, and 3 into the path [1].value of the same table. So, the array [1,2,3] is the output from the Column B Col2Array operator. The Set operator sets it as the value of an object at index 1 of the array.

1. Drag and drop another Set operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.

2. Configure the operator’s Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Set
   Label	[1].value
   Preserve Argument Type	(unchecked)
   Path	[1].value
   Value
   Default Value

3. Connect the output port (right) of the [0].value Set operator to the upper input port (left) of the [1].value Set operator.

4. Connect the output port (right) of the Column B Col2Array operator to the bottom input port (left) of the [1].value Set operator.

Configure the Cartesian Operator

The Cartesian operator now arranges the values into an output of ordered pairs in a single array.

1. Drag and drop a Cartesian operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.

2. Configure the operator’s Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Cartesian
   Label	Value
   Preserve Argument Type	(unchecked)
   Type	Array
   Field Label	value

3. Connect the output port (right) of the [1].value Set operator to the input port (left) of the Value Cartesian operator.

Configure the Console Operator

A Console operator lets you view the outputs of your module in the DevTools Console. That way, you can ensure your Cartesian operator is configured correctly.

1. Drag and drop a Console operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.

2. Configure the operator’s Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Console
   Label	Output

3. Connect the output port (right) of the Value Cartesian operator to the input port (left) of the Output Console operator.

4. Click Save.

   

Configure the Initializer Component

Lastly, add an Initializer component to trigger the Data Workflow.

1. Drag and drop an Initializer component onto your canvas, placing it above the Data Table component.

2. In the Property ID and Canvas Label Text fields, enter initCartesian.

3. From the Trigger Type drop-down, select New Submission.

4. In the Outputs table, enter the following:

   #	Property ID	Type	Value
   1	dwfCartesian	Trigger	GO

                                              

5. Click Save & Close.

6. Save your module.

The completed example looks like this in the Module Builder:

Now, test your Data Workflow by previewing your module in Express View and opening the DevTools Console. Your Output Console lists all the possible combinations of your data.