Set Modifiers with Implicit Field Value Definitions
In the above examples, all field values have been explicitly defined or defined through searches. There is
however an additional way to define a set of field values by the use of a nested set definition.
In such cases, the element functions P() and E() must be used, representing the element set of possible values
and the excluded values of a field, respectively. Inside the brackets, it is possible to specify one set expression
and one field, e.g. P({1} Customer). These functions cannot be used in other expressions:
Examples:
sum( {$<Customer = P({1<Product={‘Shoe’}>} Customer)>} Sales )
returns the sales for current selection, but only those customers that ever have bought the product
‘Shoe’. The element function P( ) here returns a list of possible customers; those that are implied by
the selection ‘Shoe’ in the field Product.
sum( {$<Customer = P({1<Product={‘Shoe’}>})>} Sales )
same as above. If the field in the element function is omitted, the function will return the possible
values of the field specified in the outer assignment.
sum( {$<Customer = P({1<Product={‘Shoe’}>} Supplier)>} Sales )
returns the sales for current selection, but only those customers that ever have supplied the product
‘Shoe’. The element function P( ) here returns a list of possible suppliers; those that are implied by
the selection ‘Shoe’ in the field Product. The list of suppliers is then used as a selection in the field
Customer.
sum( {$<Customer = E({1<Product={‘Shoe’}>})>} Sales )
returns the sales for current selection, but only those customers that never bought the product ‘Shoe’.
The element function E( ) here returns the list of excluded customers; those that are excluded by the
selection ‘Shoe’ in the field Product.
