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Version: 3.1.X

String & Numeric Functions

PFT provides a robust set of functions to manipulate data on the fly.

String Manipulation​

s - String Function​

Evaluates a format and returns the result as a string variable/literal. This is crucial for comparing values in if statements or passing arguments.

  • Syntax: s(Format)
  • Example: if s(v10) = 'Architecture' then ... fi

size - String Size​

Returns the length (number of characters) of a string or field.

  • Syntax: size(String)
  • Example: if size(v10) > 100 then "Long Title" fi

instr - Find String​

Searches for the position of a substring within a text.

  • Syntax: instr(Haystack, Needle)
  • Returns: The position (index) of the subtext, or 0 if not found.
  • Example: if instr(v10, "History") > 0 then ... fi

replace - Replace String​

Replaces occurrences of a substring with another string.

  • Syntax: replace(String, Old, New)
  • Example: replace(v10, "USA", "United States")

Substrings (left, right, mid)​

Extract specific parts of a string.

  • left(String, N): Returns the first N chars.
  • right(String, N): Returns the last N chars.
  • mid(String, Start, Len): Extracts Len chars starting at Start.

Numeric Conversion & Formatting​

val - String to Value​

Converts a numeric string into a number for calculations.

  • Syntax: val(String)
  • Example: val(v10) + 1

f - Format Value​

Converts a number to a string with specific formatting (decimals, zero-padding).

  • Syntax: f(Number, Length, Decimals)
  • Example:
    • f(10, 5, 0) -> " 10"
    • f(3.14159, 0, 2) -> "3.14"

Mathematical Functions​

PFT supports basic arithmetic operators (+, -, *, /) and aggregate functions for repeatable fields.

  • sum(Expression): Sums the values of a repeatable expression.
  • avg(Expression): Calculates the average.
  • max(Expression): Returns the maximum value.
  • min(Expression): Returns the minimum value.

Example:

"Total Cost: " f( sum(val(v50)), 0, 2 )