Process Number Variable Calculations

[shiu]

As I knew number variable can be calculated in FF Core 5.1.0.4, I have a pdf containing 16 pages which will be printed duplex on the printer, the first 14 pages are letters need to be mailed to our clients, the last 2 pages are mailing instructions for our mail team, that said there will be 7 mail pieces (16-2)/2. I put the formular ($FFwfdoc.pages$-2)/2 in the parameter area of the external node where I expect the sent out email to show "Mail piece: 7"  but instead it shows "Mail piece: (16-2)/2", how can I perform calculation in this situation?

[DavidU54339-XRX]

One could add addition variables (e.g., $FFsubtractionnumber$ and $FFdivisor$) via MAX. These variables then could be fed to the external node via parameters. The computation could be completed in the external node.

[shiu]

Does it mean the variable calculation must go through MAX but not put the formular directly in the parameters field of the external node?

[DavidU54339-XRX]

I do not believe that a formula can be used directly in the external node parameter field.

My idea is to add to the MAX setup for a hotfolder two custom number fields (e.g., divisor and substractor -- the FFCore variables will be $FFdivisor$ and $FFsubtractor$). The MAX csv file will need values for the fields.

On the External node parameter settings add "$FFdivisor$" and "$FFsubtractor$", use these values within the external node script file to compute the value you want.

[TomFischer]

I'm also interested. I have seen screenshots where calculations like this have been set in the fields directly. Example:

Not working: $FFvar1$+2*$FFvar2$ (but syntax is correct, otherwise FFC throws an error)

Working fine: $FFvar1$+$FFvar2$+$FFvar2$

This workaround works for me at the moment but is harder to read and limited.

WHERE can I find a documentation about calculation?

Here's the screenshot from a Xerox presentation:

https://postimg.cc/JDTcHtWS

[DavidU54339-XRX]

There is limited documentation in HELP under Process Number Variable Calculations. If you are obtaining erroneous calculations via FFCore please author a SPAR.

[TomFischer]

Can you provide or link a FULL documentation?

[DavidU54339-XRX]

The following is the documentation in Help:

Process Number Variable Calculations

Number settings may support Calculated values as part of their configuration. Calculated values may be defined using arithmetic formulas. The following operations are supported:
•  Addition

•  Subtraction

•  Multiplication

•  Division

•  Parentheses to change the order of operations

In addition, the formula may also include other Process Variables.
Example: ($FFwfdoc.pages$ / 2) + 1
The Default Value Setting defines a fixed value that will be used if the selected variable is undefined for a given job.

[DavidU54339-XRX]

Would your example work as follows:

$FFvar1$ + (2*FFvar2$).

If the order of operations is strictly followed the "2" will be added to $FFvar1$ and then the sum multiplied by $FFvar2$ . This is another way of represented what you may be obtaining ($FFvar1$ + 2) * ($FFvar2$)