Expression Dependencies
Theme: Configure
Who Is It For? Automation Engineer
What Is It?
Each OpCon job can depend on the result of an expression defined using the Property Expressions API. For more information, refer to Property Expressions API Syntax.
Job-level expression dependencies are always included when the job runs. Frequency-level expression dependencies are included only when the job runs on the associated frequency.
- Schedule Name: Name of the schedule
- Job Name: Name of the job
- Frequency Name: Name of the frequency if the expression dependency is defined for a specific frequency
- Job Expression: An expression that must resolve to "true" when the SAM performs the dependency check for the job
- Frequency Expression: An expression associated with the Frequency Name that must resolve to "true" during the dependency check. Included only when the job runs on the associated frequency
Configuration Options
| Setting | What It Does | Default | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schedule Name | Name of the schedule | — | — |
| Job Name | Name of the job | — | — |
| Frequency Name | Name of the frequency if the expression dependency is defined for a specific frequency | — | — |
| Job Expression | An expression that must resolve to "true" when the SAM performs the dependency check for the job | — | — |
| Frequency Expression | An expression associated with the Frequency Name that must resolve to "true" during the dependency check. | — | — |
FAQs
Q: What is an expression dependency?
An expression dependency causes a job to wait until an expression using the Property Expressions API evaluates to "true." This enables complex, data-driven dependency conditions beyond what standard job or threshold dependencies support.
Q: Can an expression dependency be limited to a specific frequency?
Yes. A Frequency Expression is included only when the job runs on the associated frequency. A Job Expression at the job level always applies regardless of frequency.
Q: Where can I find the syntax for writing property expressions?
The full syntax reference is available in Property Expressions API Syntax.
Glossary
SAM (Schedule Activity Monitor): The logical processor for OpCon workflow automation. SAM monitors schedule and job start times, dependencies, and user commands to determine job execution timing, and processes OpCon events.
Frequency: A set of rules that defines when a job or schedule is eligible to run, based on calendar rules, day-of-week settings, period offsets, and other timing criteria.
Threshold: A numeric variable stored in the OpCon database used to control job execution. Jobs can be made dependent on threshold values, and OpCon events can update threshold values at runtime.
Schedule: A named container for jobs in OpCon, built for a specific date to create that day's automation. Schedules define build settings, frequencies, and the jobs that run within them.
Job: The fundamental unit of work in OpCon. A job defines what to run, on which machine, when to start, and what conditions must be met. Job results are tracked and can trigger events and notifications.
OpCon: Continuous' workflow automation platform. The OpCon server includes the database, SAM and Supporting Services (SAM-SS), and graphical user interfaces. agents installed on target platforms run jobs and report results.