A Boolean condition is any condition that returns true or false—or, if data for the attribute is not mandatory, null. For example, you may want to specify a condition that checks if the weight of a cargo container is less than 5000. To define a Boolean condition using a comparison operator, specify the condition expression in the Conditions row.



All the cells in that row (across all rule columns) display three choices in a drop-down list—T (true), F (false), and hyphen. Corticon automatically inserts a hyphen in other cells indicating that they do not play a role in the Boolean condition.



Boolean conditions versus value sets

Some conditions can be expressed as Boolean conditions or through value sets. For example, a condition that checks if the aircraft type is 747 can be expressed as a Boolean condition or through a value set with a single value, as shown in this image.



So when should you use a Boolean condition and when should you build a value set?

If you only have to define a rule that checks for a single value, as in the first example, you can use either approach.

However, if you have to define rules that share a common pattern and check for multiple values for an attribute, it is better to use value sets.

The following image has a good, readable pattern.



The following image shows a pattern that should be discouraged. You need to parse all the values to understand the logic that was clear in the first example.