Object functions

Object functions define conditions based on objects (as opposed to attributes of objects). A customer is an object; the age of the customer is an attribute of the customer object.
Table 1. Object functions
Syntax Description Example
<object> is <object> Tests that two objects are equivalent.
Important: Rules can modify the value of decision variables, but not the value of input variables. As a result, when comparing the value of a decision variable with the value of an input variable, the function might return false.
if 'current customer' is the customer on 'rental agreement'
<object> is not <object> Tests that two objects are not equivalent. if 'current customer' is not the customer on 'rental agreement'
the number of <objects> Returns the total number of objects of the specified type. if the number of vehicles is more than 5
<attribute> of <object> Associates two business terms. if the address of customer contains "France"
new <object> where Creates a new instance of the specified object type. To define the values of this new object, you add the where keyword followed by one or more attributes. define Jane as a new customer where 'customer id' is "jane@example.com"
a copy of <object> where Creates a copy of the specified object type. To define the values of this new object, you add the where keyword followed by one or more attributes.
Important: The copy constructor differs from standard constructors: it copies the value of attributes that are not specified in the where clause.
define 'new address' as a copy of 'original address' where the street number is 22