The “<> Not Equal To” Operator

In Assette, expressions are powerful tools used within Data Objects and Data Blocks to manipulate, compare, and evaluate data for client reports and presentations. One of the essential comparison operators available is the <> Not Equal To Operator. This operator allows you to compare two values to determine if they are not equal, enabling conditional logic and data filtering within your expressions.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of how the <> operator works in Assette expressions, including its purpose, syntax, usage examples, and practical applications.

Purpose of the <> Not Equal To Operator #

The <> operator is used to compare two values or expressions to check if they are not equal. It returns a Boolean result:

• True: If the values on both sides of the operator are not equal.
• False: If the values are equal.

This operator is essential for implementing conditional logic, making decisions within expressions, and filtering data based on specific criteria.

Syntax of the <> Operator #

• value1: The first value or expression to compare.
• value2: The second value or expression to compare.

value1 <> value2

Understanding How It Works #

When you use the <> operator in an expression, Assette evaluates both value1 and value2 and compares their values:

• If value1 and value2 are not equal, the expression returns True.
• If they are equal, the expression returns False.

Note: Assette expressions are case-sensitive when comparing strings unless specified otherwise.

Examples of Using the <> Operator #

Numeric Comparison #

Evaluation:

• 5 is not equal to 10.
• Result: True

5 <> 10

String Comparison #

Evaluation:

• The strings have different cases and are not identical.
• Result: True

"Assette" <> "assette"

Variable Comparison #

Assuming you have a variable status

Evaluation:

• Checks if status is not equal to "Inactive".
• Result: Depends on the value of status.

status <> "Inactive"

Important Considerations #

Data Types #

• Consistent Data Types: Ensure that the values being compared are of compatible data types.
• String Comparisons: Be mindful of case sensitivity and whitespace in strings.

Null and Undefined Values #

• Null Checks: Use the HasValue() function to ensure variables are defined before comparison.

Case Sensitivity #

• Case Conversion: Use ToLower() or ToUpper() for case-insensitive comparisons.

Logical Operators #

• Combine the <> operator with logical operators like and, or, and not for complex conditions.

Best Practices #

1. Explicit Comparisons: Clearly specify both operands in the comparison.
2. Consistent Formatting: Be consistent with data formats (e.g., date formats) when comparing values.
3. Use Parentheses for Clarity: Group complex conditions with parentheses.
4. Handle Null Values Appropriately: Always check for null or undefined values to prevent errors.
5. Test Expressions: Regularly test expressions with different data inputs to ensure accuracy.