Ouput "" in a VRL

[Rob Galino]

Hello folks, in the process of converting HL7 ADTs to VRL.  Requirement is to pass all fields valued or not, in “”.  In the VRL field properties, for each field bing copied is a Prefix and Postfix of “, Escape Pair of “”.

When a field is valued, data is written to the VRL in “data” format but when a field is unvalued, the “” does not pass through, here’s an example:

“31871805”,”20070320″,,,,

What is being requested is

“31871805”,”20070320″,””,””,””,””

I am successfuly able to do the following by including the following Pre Tcl in the xlate: if {[cequal $xlateInVals “{}”]} {set xlateOutVals ” “} but don’t want that a blank or white space in between the “”…

“31871805”,”20070320″,” “,” “,” “,” “

If anyone knows how to make a “” output on a VRL for unvalued fields, your assistance is kindly requested.

Thanks,

– Rob

Topic

[Jim Kosloskey]

Rob,

Have you already tried checking the inbound field for equal @null (using the Xlate IF Action) and if that is true, COPYing =”” (or maybe its =””) to the destination field?

Jim Kosloskey

email: jim.kosloskey@jim-kosloskey.com 29+ years Cloverleaf, 59 years IT - old fart.

[Michael Hertel]

Try this:

if {[cequal [lindex $xlateInVals 0] {}]} {set xlateOutVals

}

Hope this helps,

-mh

P.S. Aloha Rob!

[Rob Galino]

Jim, yes, i’ve tried the

IF eq @ null copy =”” ->

works but works just the same as the tcl fragment Mike provided:

if {[cequal [lindex $xlateInVals 0] {}]} {set xlateOutVals

}.

If either of these are used, unvalued fields output “” but valued fields output without the “” since the Postfix/Prefix of ” had to be removed or when a field is unvalued and extra set of double quotes would be sent.  

With the IF or tcl fragment, we’re back to square one but on the flip side…  Meaning here’s the output:

31871805,20070320,””,””,””,””

Notice the first two fields are now without “”.  The goal is to have every destination field be in “”, valued or not.  If I leave the Prefix/Postfix with ” with either the IF or tcl fragment, output contains an extra set of “” for unvalued inbound fields:

“31871805”,”20070320″,””””,””””,””””,””””

What is required is:

“31871805”,”20070320″,””,””,””,””

Thanks again in advance!

P.S. Mike, Mahalo!

[Michael Hertel]

I misunderstood, try this instead:

set xlateOutVals

}

no if statement needed.

-mh

[Rob Galino]

Mike, getting an error…

keyed list entry must be a two element list, found “IN”

Tried enclosing the “[lindex $xlateInVals 0]” in [], same error:

set xlateOutVals

”]”]}

I tried something similar and couldn’t get it to work, if this works, the Prefix/Postfix of ” will not be required just this piece of tcl (Pre) in every copy statement and should work for valued and unvalued inbound fields…

Aloha,

– Rob

[Michael Hertel]

Ok, try this:

set xlateOutVals

}

[Rob Galino]

Mike, same error:

Command: hcixlttest epic_eq_sch_A01-test.xlt

---

FAILED

---

[0:TEST] Unable to load XLT ‘epic_eq_sch_A01-test.xlt’: keyed list entry must be a two element list, found “IN”

[Michael Hertel]

Retry this:

echo >>>$xlateInVals

set xlateOutVals

}

echo >>>$xlateOutVals

I have a sneaking feeling the code works but there is something

after the frag that is blowing up now.

-mh

[Rob Galino]

Mike, it’s working like a charm…  There was an extra } at the end of the frag…  Gonna test some more but I think it’s working….

Thanks bro, I should have the BA requesting this change send you something…

[Michael Hertel]

Ah Sheesh…..

That was me that gave you the extra brace.

Sorry, it’s getting late here.

I’m glad you’ve got it working.

See ya!

[Author]

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