4.7 DSL Quick Reference

This section provides a compact overview of the CBA ItemBuilder’s domain-specific language (DSL) for Finite-State Machines, Conditional Links, and Task Initialization. For detailed descriptions, refer to the sections referenced below.

4.7.1 FSM Syntax Summary

The Finite-State Machine syntax defines states, events, and rules that control dynamic item behavior (see section 4.4 for details).

Events: event1, event2, timerEvent 5.0;

Rules:
StartState -> RunState {true | set(variable, 1)}
RunState internal {event1 : condition | action1, action2}
RunState => EndState {event2 : condition | action}
RunState entry {| entryAction}
RunState exit {| exitAction}

Transitions: -> defines a Start Transition (executed once when a task starts). => defines a regular transition between states. internal defines event processing without changing the state.

Events: Events are listed after the Events: keyword, separated by commas. Timer events include a time interval in seconds (e.g., timerEvent 5.0). Events end with a semicolon.

Rule Structure: {EventName : Condition | Action1, Action2}. The event name, condition, and actions are all optional: {true | action} always executes, {event : condition} has no action, {event} triggers on event without condition or action.

4.7.2 Conditional Link Syntax Summary

Conditional Links define page navigation with conditions and optional operators (see section 4.3 for details).

{TargetPage : condition | operator1() operator2()}
{OtherPage : other_condition}
{FallbackPage}

Conditions are evaluated top to bottom. The first matching condition determines the target page. A link without condition (e.g., {FallbackPage}) always matches and can serve as a default.

4.7.3 Task Initialization Syntax Summary

Task Initialization sets task-specific default values when a task starts (see section 4.5 for details).

{StartPage : true | set(V_Task, 1) setFrozen(button1)}

The syntax follows the same structure as Conditional Links: the page name defines the start page, and operators are executed when the task begins.

4.7.4 Common Condition Operators

TABLE 4.4: Frequently used condition operators (see appendix A.2 for a complete listing).
Operator	Example	Description
`==`, `<>`	`V_score == 1`	Equality / inequality comparison
`<`, `<=`, `>`, `>=`	`V_count > 3`	Numeric comparisons
`and`, `or`, `not`	`A == 1 and B == 2`	Logical operators
`ifthenelse()`	`ifthenelse(A==1, 10, 20)`	Returns value based on condition
`matches()`	`matches(input1, "^abc$")`	Text matches regular expression
`complete()`	`complete(frame1, 1)`	All options in select group selected
`partial()`	`partial(frame1, 1)`	At least one option selected
`highlighted()`	`highlighted(text1, "#FF0")`	Text highlighted with color
`current_page()`	`current_page(page2)`	Check if page is currently displayed
`integer_value()`	`integer_value(input1)`	Parse text input as integer
`variable_in()`	`variable_in(V, 1, 2, 3)`	Check if variable has one of the listed values
`isCurrentTask()`	`isCurrentTask(task0)`	Check if the given task is executing
`elapsedTime()`	`elapsedTime() > 5000`	Milliseconds since task start
`caretPosition()`	`caretPosition(input1, 0)`	Cursor position in input field

4.7.5 Common Action Operators

TABLE 4.5: Frequently used action operators (see appendix A.2 for a complete listing).
Operator	Example	Description
`set()`	`set(V_score, 1)`	Set integer variable
`setString()`	`setString(V_name, "text")`	Set string variable
`setBool()`	`setBool(V_flag, true)`	Set boolean variable
`reset()`	`reset(V1, V2)`	Reset variables to 0
`setFrozen()`	`setFrozen(button1)`	Disable a component
`setHidden()`	`setHidden(panel1)`	Hide a component
`setActive()`	`setActive(radio1)`	Select a component
`focus()`	`focus(input1)`	Set input focus
`openDialog()`	`openDialog(feedbackPage)`	Open a dialog page
`closeDialog()`	`closeDialog(feedbackPage)`	Close a dialog page
`raise()`	`raise(myEvent)`	Trigger an FSM event
`setMediaPlayer()`	`setMediaPlayer(audio1, mp_start)`	Control audio/video playback
`setEmbeddedPage()`	`setEmbeddedPage(pa1, page2)`	Change page in PageArea
`next_task()`	`next_task()`	Navigate to next task
`trace_text()`	`trace_text("log entry")`	Write to trace log
`concatenate()`	`concatenate("A", "B")`	Join two text values
`numberToString()`	`numberToString(V_count)`	Convert number to text
`floor()`, `round()`	`set(V, floor(V2 / 3))`	Rounding operators
`changeLanguage()`	`changeLanguage("de")`	Switch display language