Pattern Matching Syntax

In parameter definitions, the adapter supports using the pattern matching syntax defined by the java.text.MessageFormat class specification. By referencing a pattern in an input or output parameter definition, you can convert the input data to various types and formats.

For more information on java.text.MessageFormat, see:

http://java.sun.com/products/jdk/1.1/docs/api/java.text.MessageFormat.html

Patterns are applied using argument placeholders, which have the following form:

{ number, [type], [format] }

The curly brackets and number argument are required. The number argument can be from 0 to 9.

The type argument is optional, and indicates the argument data type. It can be one of time, date, number, or choice.

The format argument is also optional, and is a string that describes the argument format. Possible format values depend on the specified type. For more information on possible values for format, see the Java API documentation for the ChoiceFormat, DateFormat and NumberFormat classes.

You specify the argument placeholder in the pattern attribute of the inputParameter or outputParameter element. Normally, the first argument placeholder in the pattern is used and the others are ignored. However, if the subsequent input or output parameters have the pattern attribute equal to " " (blank) then the {1}, {2}, ....{n} of the previous one parameter with non-blank pattern attribute will be applied to the subsequent parameters in order.

Examples of Using Argument{0} in Patterns

Text

Pattern

Result (Argument {0})

256 KB

{0,number}KB

256

xyz (5%)

{1}({0,number}%)

5

Host:smiles-no response

{1):{0}-{2}

smiles

Todays’s date is 02-02-1996

Todays’s date is {0,date}

 

A date object of 2/2/1996