How to: Update and Conditionally Update Key/Value Pairs

The Create Field operator doesn’t only create fields. It can also be used to update existing fields

Let’s say that a value for a key called employed is true for every row of the table. But you want to switch the value from true to yes. Using a simple employed="yes" expression updates the value in every row.

A second key is called fullPartTime, which defines whether the person works full-time or part-time. The two possible values are partTime and full. But you want your values to be more consistent, so you want to change the full value to fullTime. So, you’ll use a common conditional expression: key=IF(condition,valueIfTrue,valueIfFalse). For this example, you’ll use the following conditional expression to make the change: fullPartTime=IF(fullPartTime="full","fullTime",fullPartTime).

Let's explore the elements of this expression.

• The condition represents the original key of fullPartTime and the value of full.

• The valueIfTrue is the value of fullTime, so the value of full is replaced with fullTime.

• The valueIfFalse is the key of fullPartTime. Meaning, if the value of fullPartTime is not full, then ignore it. That way, the partTime values are left alone.

Configuration

In this how-to guide, you'll use the Create Field operator to conditionally update existing key/value pairs in a table.

Configure the Data Table Component

First, configure a Data Table component to create the table where you’ll add your key/value pairs.

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

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

   name	incomeAnnual	employed	fullPartTime
   Kris	36000	true	partTime
   Yuki	98500	true	full
   Graciela	74000	true	full

   

3. Click Save Component.

Configure the Data Workflow Component

With the Data Table component set up, you're ready to use the Create Field operator. First, update the employed key/value pair in every row (object) in your table (array). Then, conditionally update the fullPartTime value from full to fullTime.

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

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

Configure the Input Operator

First, connect your Data Table component to the Data Workflow using an Input operator.

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	dtTable
   Required	Yes
   Source	Default

Configure the Create Field Operator

Next, let's set up the Create Field operator.

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

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

   Setting	Value
   Category	Create Field
   Label	employment
   Do Not Sanitize Formula	(checked)
   Preserve Argument Type	(unchecked)
   Field 1	employed="yes"
   Field 2	fullPartTime=IF(fullPartTime="full","fullTime",fullPartTime)
   Field 3
   Field 4
   Field 5

3. Connect the output port (right) of the dtTable Input operator to the input port (left) of the employment Create Field operator.

Configure the Console Operators

Next, you’ll add Console operators before and after the Create Field operator to view the change in data.

You'll notice that the Create Field operator only outputs to a Console operator. When creating applications, you might also want to use a dedicated Output operator. Then, you can connect that Output operator to a Hidden component. That way, you can store the final table and reference it elsewhere in your application.

1. Drag and drop two Console operators onto your Data Workflow canvas.

2. Configure the first Console operator's Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Console
   Label	Before Create Field

3. Connect the output port (right) of the dtTable Input operator to the input port (left) of the Before Create Field Console operator.

4. Configure the second Console operator's Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Console
   Label	After Create Field

5. Connect the output port (right) of the employment Create Field operator to the input port (left) of the After Create Field Console operator.

   

6. Click Save Component.

Configure the Button Component

Lastly, add a Button component to trigger your Data Workflow.

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

2. In the Property ID field, enter btnRunDWF.

3. In the Label Text field, enter Run Create Field.

4. From the Action Type drop-down, select Event.

5. From the On Click drop-down, select dwfCreateField.

   

6. Click Save Component.

7. Save your module.

Here's how the completed example looks in the Module Builder:

Preview your module in Express View and open the DevTools Console. Click the Run Create Field button and view the results in the Console: