Int4 Aster

https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14
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Int4 Aster is a scripting language designed to expand test case execution capabilities in Int4 Suite...
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### INT4 INT4 Aster: POWER Function Example

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/syntax-and-features

Demonstrates the POWER function for exponentiation. It takes two arguments: the base and the exponent. The example shows a direct call and an equivalent call using LOWER.

```INT4 Aster
POWER(2,3)                   # Evaluates to 8, as 2^3=8
{LOWER("PO")&"wEr"}(2,3)     # Also evaluates to 8, equivalent to the above
```

--------------------------------

### List Initialization and Modification in ASTER

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/tables-and-dynamic-symbols

Shows basic list creation, assignment, and element modification in ASTER. It highlights how assignments create copies of values and how direct indexing can change list elements. The example also includes a boolean expression to verify changes.

```ASTER
A=(1,2,3,4);                            # list (one dimensional array) 
B=A;                                    # assignment copies values
A[2]=5;
NOT (A[2] == B[2]) AND A[3] == B[3]     # evals to true - A[2] is not equal to B[2]
```

--------------------------------

### INT4 INT4 Aster: SUBstr Function Example

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/syntax-and-features

Illustrates the SUBstr function for extracting a substring from a given string. It requires the string, the starting position, and the length of the substring to extract.

```INT4 Aster
SUBstr("Text",1,2)           # Evaluates to 'ex'
```

--------------------------------

### Listing List Elements in ASTER

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/tables-and-dynamic-symbols

Provides a custom function `PRINTLIST2` to list all elements of a list in ASTER in an arbitrary order. It utilizes `INDEXES` to get all keys and `COUNT` to iterate through them, concatenating the values into a formatted string. The example shows how to call this function and its expected output.

```ASTER
DEFUN("PRINTLIST2",("LIST"),
  LOCALS(("I","R","J"),
    FOR(I=1;R="";J=INDEXES(LIST),I<=COUNT(J),I=I+1,
        (R=R&LIST[J[I]]&","));
        "[" & SUBSTR(R,0,-1) & "]"
));

A=(1,2,3,4);
PRINTLIST2(A)                         # will evaluate to [1,2,3,4]
```

--------------------------------

### ASTER Scripting: Expressions, Comments, and Assignments

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/syntax-and-features

Demonstrates basic ASTER script structure, including expression sequencing with semicolons, line comments starting with '#', and assignment operations with side effects. The UCHAR function is used to create characters from Unicode values.

```ASTER
A="Hello"; B="World"; # this is a comment, runs until the end of line
C=UCHAR(32); D=UCHAR(11*3); # UCHAR assigns a character based on the 32 bit Unicode map
A&C&B&D
```

--------------------------------

### Conditional Payload Retrieval using Design Mode

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/int4-test-execution-specific-functions

This example demonstrates how to conditionally retrieve payloads based on whether the script is running in design mode. It uses GET_TC_OUTPUTS in design mode and GET_CONTEXT_PAYLOAD otherwise.

```Int4 Script
PAYLOAD = 
IF(_DESIGN_MODE_,
 GET_TC_OUTPUTS()[1],
 GET_CONTEXT_PAYLOAD());
```

--------------------------------

### Concise Looping with FOR in ASTER

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/control-flow

The FOR function offers a more concise way to write loops. It starts with an initialization step, then checks a condition. If TRUE, it executes the code block, followed by an increment step, before re-evaluating the condition. The loop evaluates to the last executed expression within the code block.

```aster
# example of using a FOR loop to create a text representation of
# the data contained in the list

# note that using INDEXES here means that the order 
# of the elements listed may be arbitrary

DEFUN("PRINTLIST",("LIST"),
  LOCALS(("I","R","J"),
    FOR(
    
        I=1;R="";J=INDEXES(LIST),       # initialization
        I<=COUNT(J),                    # condition
        I=I+1,                          # increment
        
      (R=R&LIST[J[i]]&",")              # evaluated code
    );
      
  "[" & SUBSTR(R,0,-1) & "]"         # this is executed after loop
  )                                  #   returning the value after cutting the last comma
);

A=(1,2,3,4);
PRINTLIST(A)                         # returns list value as [1,2,3,4]
```

--------------------------------

### Variable Shadowing with DEFUN (ASTER)

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/defining-your-own

Illustrates variable scoping in ASTER functions. A global variable 'A' is defined, then a function 'AP' is defined using DEFUN with 'A' as an argument. The example shows that the function uses its local 'A', leaving the global 'A' unchanged.

```ASTER
A=5;
DEFUN("AP",("A"),A+1);         # Define function AP, the global variable A is not accesible
AP(1);                         # Returns 2, as the global value of A was shadowed
A==5                           # TRUE - Global variable is not changed
```

--------------------------------

### Get Process Test Case List (Int4 Script)

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/int4-test-execution-specific-functions

Fetches a list of basic test case information for all test cases within the currently executing process in Int4 Suite. This includes SCENARIOID, PARENTID, TYPEID, CASEID, DESCR, AO, BO, DOCNUM, STATUS, and ME. Data is meaningful only when a test case number is provided in the editor.

```Int4 Script
P=GET_PROCESS_TCLIST();
```

--------------------------------

### Get Process Test Case Data by Index (Int4 Script)

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/int4-test-execution-specific-functions

Retrieves detailed data for a specific test case within the current process, identified by its index 'x'. The index must correspond to the output of GET_PROCESS_TCLIST(). It returns INPUT, OUTPUTS, ACTUALS, VARIABLES, and STATUS. Requires GET_PROCESS_TCLIST() to be executed first to avoid errors.

```Int4 Script
PROC=GET_PROCESS_TCLIST();
IX = INDEXES(PROC);
FOR(I=1, I<=COUNT(IX), I+=1,
  LOG_MESSAGE("I", 
    "STATUS OF TC " & 
    PROC[I]["CASEID"] & 
    ": " & 
    GET_PROCESS_TCDATA(IX[I])["STATUS"]
  )
);
```

--------------------------------

### Get Test Case Variable Values in Int4 Suite

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/int4-test-execution-specific-functions

Reads variable values from the execution context, returning a two-dimensional table. The first dimension indicates the variable state ('VAR' for before execution, 'NEWVAR' for after). The second dimension is a numbered list of values.

```Int4 Scripting
X=GET_TC_VAR("PO");
```

--------------------------------

### Get Array Indexes with INDEXES()

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/built-in-functions

The INDEXES function retrieves a list of all indexes for a given array. This is particularly useful for iterating over arrays that use string-based keys. Example: INDEXES(B) where B is an array with string keys.

```N/A
B["APPLES"] = 1; B["BANANS"] = 2;
IND = INDEXES(B)
IND[2] # evals to “BANANAS”
```

--------------------------------

### Example: Loop Execution Limit in ASTER

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/execution-limits

This ASTER code demonstrates a potential infinite loop scenario due to a forgotten increment. The loop will automatically terminate once the execution limit of 100,000 iterations is reached, preventing script failure.

```ASTER
SUM = 0;
WITH(I=0;Limit=100,
    WHILE(I<LIMIT, 
        SUM = SUM + 1))               # Forgotten about incrementing I
```

--------------------------------

### Get Current Test Run Metadata (Int4 Script)

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/int4-test-execution-specific-functions

Retrieves metadata for the current test run, such as RUN_ID, USER, NAME, and execution mode flags (DEBUG, REVALIDATION, REFRESH, SV, PARALLEL). This function will fail if not executed within a test run context. It returns a structured array containing various details about the test execution environment.

```Int4 Script
P=GET_TEST_RUN();
```

--------------------------------

### Count Array/List Elements with COUNT()

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/built-in-functions

The COUNT function returns the number of elements in an array or list. It's a fundamental operation for understanding data structure sizes. Example: COUNT(A) where A is an array.

```N/A
A=(1,2,1,3);
COUNT(A)  # evals to 4
```

--------------------------------

### Appending Elements to Lists in ASTER

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/tables-and-dynamic-symbols

Explains how to append elements to lists in ASTER using the comma operator. It shows that the comma operator adds elements with new indices, equal to the current count plus one. The example also demonstrates how to append elements to an existing list and verifies that both original and copied lists are updated.

```ASTER
A=1;
A=(a,"B");
A=(a,"C");
A=(a,"E");

# now A is equal to A=(1,"B","C","E")

B=A;
A=(A,"F");
B[COUNT(B)+1] = "F";

# now both lists A and B are equal, containing 5 elements, (1,"B","C","E","F")
```

--------------------------------

### Reverse String Characters with BACKWARDS()

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/built-in-functions

The BACKWARDS function reverses the order of characters in a given string. It's a simple text manipulation function. Example: BACKWARDS("ABC") results in "CBA".

```N/A
BACKWARDS("ABC") # evals “CBA”
```

--------------------------------

### Get Validation Payloads for Custom Validations

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/int4-test-execution-specific-functions

Retrieves a list of payloads and DB validation XML data for custom validation scripts. This function is exclusively for custom validation scripts and returns an empty dataset if used elsewhere. Note that it does not return meaningful data during script design.

```Int4 Script
GET_VALIDATION_PAYLOADS()
```

--------------------------------

### Get Context Payload (Int4 Script)

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/int4-test-execution-specific-functions

Returns a single payload relevant to the current test execution step. The payload content varies depending on the step (e.g., variable read/replace, variable find, payload processing, test case analysis). Returns an empty dataset if executed in Custom Validations scripts. Not meaningful during script design; use _DESIGN_MODE_ constant for design-time references.

```Int4 Script
P=GET_CONTEXT_PAYLOAD();
```

--------------------------------

### Multi-dimensional List Creation and Traversal in ASTER

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/tables-and-dynamic-symbols

Demonstrates creating multi-dimensional lists (tables) in ASTER by nesting lists. It shows how to populate these tables and includes a `WHILE` loop with `COUNT` and `IF` conditions to find specific data within the nested structure, breaking the loop and returning a value upon finding a match.

```ASTER
RECORD=("John", "Smith"); A[1] = RECORD;
RECORD=("Thomas", "Black"); A=(A, RECORD);
RECORD=("Adam", "Green"); A=(A, RECORD);

# finding the first name of Mr. Black
I=0; 
WHILE(I<COUNT(A),
   IF(A[I=I+1][2] $== "Black", 
       BREAK(A[I][1])))
# loop will break returning "Thomas"
```

--------------------------------

### List Declaration and Construction in ASTER

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/data-types

Demonstrates various ways to declare and construct lists in ASTER, including assigning empty values, adding elements directly, constructing lists directly, and appending elements using a loop. It also shows how to compare lists for equality and check for element containment.

```ASTER
# declaring a list and assigning an empty value behave the same
A = ''; 

# constructing list  

# approach 1 - by adding elements directly
A[1] = 5;
A[2] = 10;
A[3] = 15;

# approach 2 - by constructing directly
B=(5,10,15);

# approach 3 - by appending using the , operator
C='';
FOR(I=5, I<=15, I+=5, C=(C,I));

(A EQL B) AND (B EQL C);      # evals to true, these lists are functionally equal
(A[1] IN B) AND (B[2] IN C);  # also evals to true, these elements are found in other lists
```

--------------------------------

### ASTER Variables: Assignment, Types, and List Manipulation

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/syntax-and-features

Shows how to declare and manipulate variables in ASTER. Covers string and numeric assignments, handling special characters, initializing flat lists, table initialization, nested list access, and removing list elements.

```ASTER
A="B"                       # String assignment
X=2                         # Numeric assignment
D="abc!@#"                  # Special characters in strings
A=(1,2,3,4)                 # Flat list initialization
B[1]=0; B[2]=1              # Table initialization
A[1][2]                     # Nested access - mutli-dimensional array access
UNSET(A[2])                 # List element removal
```

--------------------------------

### Get Unicode Character with UCHAR

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/built-in-functions

Returns a character corresponding to a given 32-bit Unicode character number.

```code
UCHAR(65) # evals to A
```

--------------------------------

### Extract Substring with SUBSTR

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/built-in-functions

Extracts a specified number of characters from a string, starting after skipping a certain number of characters from the beginning.

```code
SUBSTR("abc",1,2) # evals "bc"
```

--------------------------------

### Sort List/Table with QSORT()

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/built-in-functions

The QSORT function applies the Quicksort algorithm to sort a list or table using a user-defined comparison function. It returns a new sorted copy of the input data. Requires a comparison function defined with DEFUN.

```N/A
B=(7,3,5);
DEFUN("CMP",("A","B"),A<B);
A = QSORT(B, "CMP");
A[1] & A[2] & A\3 # returns 357
```

--------------------------------

### Example: Call Stack Depth Limit in ASTER

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/execution-limits

This ASTER code illustrates an infinite recursive function call. The ASTER implementation will prevent a stack overflow by enforcing a call stack depth limit of 10,000.

```ASTER
DEFUN("INFINITE_RECURRENCE", ("x"), 
    INFINITE_RECURRENCE(x));          # Forgotten about checking for stop criteria
    
INFINITE_RECURRENCE(10)
```

--------------------------------

### Get String Length with LEN()

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/built-in-functions

The LEN function returns the number of characters in a scalar value. If the input is a list or table, it returns the length of the first element. Handles both string and numeric scalar inputs.

```N/A
A='123'; LEN(A) # evaluates to 3
A=123; LEN(A) # evaluates to 3
LEN(123) # evaluates to 3 as well
A=(123456789,2,3,4);
LEN(a) & "," & COUNT(A);
# evaluates to 9,4
# where 9 is lenght of '123456789'
# and 4 is count of A list elements
```

--------------------------------

### Convenient Scoping with WITH (ASTER)

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/defining-your-own

Explains the use of the WITH function in ASTER for convenient variable scoping and assignments. It shows how WITH automatically shadows variables within its scope, allowing for cleaner code and protecting original global variable values.

```ASTER
a=10;                       # global A
b=20;                       # global B
c=with(a=5;b=10,a+b);       # shadows A and B, before executing assignment
a & " " & b &  " " & c      # returns 10 20 15 

# 15 being sum of 5+10, original values of A and B protected automatically by shadowing
```

--------------------------------

### Convert Scalar to List with STL()

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/built-in-functions

The STL function converts a scalar value into a list of its individual characters, respecting Unicode. It's useful for character-by-character processing. Example: COUNT(STL("ABC")).

```N/A
COUNT(STL("ABC"))  # evals to 3
STL("ABC")[2]      # evals to B
# Unicode is respected 
STL("ałć")[2]      # ł 
```

--------------------------------

### Define MY_POWER Function (ASTER)

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/defining-your-own

Illustrates defining a custom power function 'MY_POWER' in ASTER using DEFUN, which internally calls the built-in POWER function. It includes a comparison to verify that the custom function behaves identically to the original.

```ASTER
DEFUN("MY_POWER",("X","Y"),POWER(X,Y));    # Simple example for a new POWER function
POWER(2,2) == MY_POWER(2,2)
```

--------------------------------

### Define and Use ADD_ONE Function (ASTER)

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/defining-your-own

Demonstrates defining a simple ASTER function 'ADD_ONE' that increments its input by 1 using the DEFUN keyword. It shows the function definition and a subsequent call to demonstrate its usage and return value.

```ASTER
DEFUN("ADD_ONE",("A"),A+1);         # Define function ADD_ONE
ADD_ONE(1)                          # Returns 2
```

--------------------------------

### ASTER Basic Operations: Arithmetic, String, Comparison, Logic

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/syntax-and-features

Illustrates fundamental ASTER operations including arithmetic (+, -, *, /, %), string concatenation (&), numeric and string comparisons, boolean logic (NOT), and expression evaluation.

```ASTER
2+2                        # Evals to 4
2*2                        # Evals to 4
2/2                        # Evals to 1
2-2                        # Evals to 0
"A" & "B"                  # Evals to "AB"
15 > 20                    # Evals to ' ' - single space represents false value
1.5 > -2                   # Evals to 'X' - single X represents true value
NOT (5 > 10)               # Evals to 'X' - single X represents true value
15;20                      # Evals to 20 - value of last instruction is taken into account
{"A"}                      # Evals to variable A and eventually it's value
A=2                        # Evals to 2, and result of evaluation is assigned to variable A
```

--------------------------------

### Sorting with Inline Lambda Function (ASTER)

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/defining-your-own

Shows how to use an inline lambda function with ASTER's qsort for sorting. A list of random numbers is generated, and then sorted using a lambda function that defines the comparison logic (a < b).

```ASTER
# sorting
i=0;
while( i<100,
   i=i+1;list[i]=ROUND(RANDOM(1000,9000),3));       # creating a list of 100 random numbers

sorted = qsort(list, lambda(("a","b"), A<B))        # sorted contains a sorted list now
```

--------------------------------

### GZIP Compression with COMP_GZIP()

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/built-in-functions

The COMP_GZIP function compresses scalar data using the GZIP algorithm, returning the result as a byte string. Ensure the input is scalar data suitable for compression.

```N/A
A="test";
COMPRESSED=COMP_GZIP(A);
```

--------------------------------

### Load Script Content in Int4 Suite

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/int4-test-execution-specific-functions

Loads and returns the exact content of a scripting item by its name from the Int4 Suite Scripts library. This is often used to retrieve transformation rules or other script-based data.

```Int4 Scripting
TR=LOAD(“xml_transform_example”);
RES=CXSLT(TR, xml_data);
```

--------------------------------

### Include Script in Int4 Suite

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/int4-test-execution-specific-functions

Includes and evaluates another script defined in the Int4 Suite Scripts library. This allows for modularity and code reuse within test scripts.

```Int4 Scripting
INCLUDE("anotherScript");
FUN_FROM_ANOTHER("may be called");
```

--------------------------------

### Dynamic Symbol Usage in ASTER

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/tables-and-dynamic-symbols

Demonstrates how to call functions and access variables using string representations of their names. This feature allows for dynamic referencing, where the evaluator resolves the string to a function or variable. It also shows how dynamically addressed variables can be assigned values.

```ASTER
f="poWER";X=2;{F}({"x"},3)              # evals to 8 - calls function named "POWER"
{"A"}                                   # evals to variable A
{"A"} = 5                               # variables addressed dynamically can be assigned to
```

--------------------------------

### Regular Expression Matching with CREGEX()

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/built-in-functions

The CREGEX function performs regular expression matching on a string using a provided pattern. It returns detailed information about matches, subgroups, offsets, and indexes. Optional parameters control matching behavior (e.g., 'G' for global matching).

```N/A
V=CREGEX(
   "([^ABC]+)",
   "ABCDEFABCDEFG", "G");
# V[1]["SUB"][1]["STR"] $== "DEF"
# V[2]["SUB"][1]["STR"] $== "DEFG"
```

--------------------------------

### Local Variable Scoping with LOCALS (ASTER)

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/defining-your-own

Demonstrates the use of the LOCALS function in ASTER for managing local variables within complex calculations. It shows how LOCALS can shadow existing variables and how global variables can still be accessed if not shadowed.

```ASTER
A=5;C=10;
D = LOCALS(("A","B"),                           # existing A and B will be shadowed
  A=10;
  A=A*A;
  B=A/2;
  C=B);                                         # Accesses global C !
"A=" & A & " B=" & B & " C=" & C & " D=" & D    # A=5 B= C=50 D=50
```

--------------------------------

### Abort Script Execution with ABORT()

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/built-in-functions

The ABORT function terminates script execution by raising a runtime error with a specified message. It's useful for handling critical conditions like division by zero. Ensure valid arguments to prevent unexpected behavior.

```N/A
A=5;B=0;
IF(B==0, ABORT("Cannot divide by zero"), A/B)
```

--------------------------------

### CONTINUE: Skip Rest of Loop Iteration and Continue in ASTER

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/breaking-and-returning

The CONTINUE operator skips the remaining statements in the current loop iteration and proceeds to the next iteration. Control is returned to the loop's control mechanism. For FOR loops, the increment step is also executed. The specified value is returned as the loop's result.

```ASTER
B=10; C=-1; D=-1; IX=-1;
X=5;

DEFUN("A","x",
    C=WHILE(x>=3, x=x-1;CONTINUE(x);B=15;x);  # note that B=15 is not executed
                                              # C was assigned to 
    IX = x;                                   # execution resumes here
    D=20;
    C
);

"F:"&A(x) & " B:" & B & " C:" & C & " D:" & D & " IX:" & IX   

# Evaluates to F:2 B:10 C:2 D:20 IX:2

# IX, D and C are altered during the normal function execution

# Loop returns 2, as when it enters at X = 3, it decrements and uses 
# the decremented value as argument to final CONTINUE exiting the loop

```

--------------------------------

### Utility Functions

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/built-in-functions

Miscellaneous utility functions including character conversion and regular expression matching.

```APIDOC
## UCHAR(x)

### Description
Returns a character based on the provided 32-bit Unicode character number `x`. Refer to Unicode Map (e.g., Unicode Map.com) for character codes.

### Method
UCHAR

### Endpoint
N/A (Function)

### Parameters
#### Path Parameters
None

#### Query Parameters
None

#### Request Body
* **x** (integer) - The Unicode character number.

### Request Example
```
UCHAR(65) # evals to A
```

### Response
#### Success Response (200)
Returns the character corresponding to the Unicode number.

#### Response Example
```
"A"
```
```

--------------------------------

### XML Parsing and Rendering

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/built-in-functions

Functions for parsing XML strings into a manipulable tree structure and rendering that structure back into XML.

```APIDOC
## CXML_PARSE(x, y)

### Description
Parses XML text in `x` into a tree structure that allows manipulation and browsing. Parameter `y` represents optional control parameters. Provide `S` for strict operation - throws an error for invalid input.

### Method
CXML_PARSE

### Endpoint
N/A (Function)

### Parameters
#### Path Parameters
None

#### Query Parameters
None

#### Request Body
* **x** (string) - The XML text to parse.
* **y** (string, optional) - Control parameters. 'S' for strict operation.

### Request Example
```
xml='<?xml version="1.0"?>
     <order number="4711"
      xmlns:demo="http://www.sap.com/abapdemos">
      <demo:head>
      <demo:status>confirmed</demo:status>
      <demo:date format="mm-dd-yyyy">07-19-2012</demo:date>
      </demo:head>
      <demo:body>     
 <demo:item units="2" price="17.00">Part No. 0110</demo:item>
      <demo:item units="1" price="10.50">Part No. 1609</demo:item>
      <demo:item units="5" price="12.30">Part No. 1710</demo:item>
      </demo:body>
     </order>';

p = cxml_parse(xml);
```

### Response
#### Success Response (Tree Structure)
Returns a tree structure representing the parsed XML.

#### Response Example
(Internal tree representation, not directly shown as a string)

## CXML_RENDER(x, y)

### Description
Converts a tree structure, as created by `CXML_PARSE` (or manually, if conforming) to XML representation. Parameter `y` represents optional control parameters. None supported in this version.

### Method
CXML_RENDER

### Endpoint
N/A (Function)

### Parameters
#### Path Parameters
None

#### Query Parameters
None

#### Request Body
* **x** (tree structure) - The XML tree structure to render.
* **y** (string, optional) - Control parameters (none supported).

### Request Example
```
// Assuming 'p' is a tree structure from cxml_parse
r = cxml_render(p);
cxml_parse(r) EQL p  # true
```

### Response
#### Success Response (200)
Returns an XML string representation of the input tree structure.

#### Response Example
```xml
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<order number="4711" xmlns:demo="http://www.sap.com/abapdemos">
  <demo:head>
    <demo:status>confirmed</demo:status>
    <demo:date format="mm-dd-yyyy">07-19-2012</demo:date>
  </demo:head>
  <demo:body>
    <demo:item units="2" price="17.00">Part No. 0110</demo:item>
    <demo:item units="1" price="10.50">Part No. 1609</demo:item>
    <demo:item units="5" price="12.30">Part No. 1710</demo:item>
  </demo:body>
</order>
```
```

--------------------------------

### String Manipulation Functions

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/built-in-functions

A collection of functions for manipulating strings, including finding substrings, changing case, replacing characters, and extracting parts of strings.

```APIDOC
## FIND(x, y)

### Description
Finds the position of the first occurrence of substring `x` in string `y`, zero-based. Returns -1 if not found.

### Method
FIND

### Endpoint
N/A (Function)

### Parameters
#### Path Parameters
None

#### Query Parameters
None

#### Request Body
* **x** (string) - The substring to find.
* **y** (string) - The string to search within.

### Request Example
```
FIND("A", "BACA") # evals to 1
```

### Response
#### Success Response (200)
Returns the zero-based index of the first occurrence, or -1 if not found.

#### Response Example
```
1
```

## LEFT(x, y)

### Description
Gets the leftmost `y` characters from string `x`.

### Method
LEFT

### Endpoint
N/A (Function)

### Parameters
#### Path Parameters
None

#### Query Parameters
None

#### Request Body
* **x** (string) - The input string.
* **y** (integer) - The number of characters to retrieve from the left.

### Request Example
```
LEFT("abc", 2) # evals "ab"
```

### Response
#### Success Response (200)
Returns the leftmost characters of the string.

#### Response Example
```
"ab"
```

## LOWER(x)

### Description
Converts string `x` to lower case.

### Method
LOWER

### Endpoint
N/A (Function)

### Parameters
#### Path Parameters
None

#### Query Parameters
None

#### Request Body
* **x** (string) - The string to convert.

### Request Example
```
LOWER("Abc") # evals "abc"
```

### Response
#### Success Response (200)
Returns the lower-cased string.

#### Response Example
```
"abc"
```

## REPLACE(x, y, z)

### Description
Replaces all occurrences of substring `x` in string `z` with substring `y`.

### Method
REPLACE

### Endpoint
N/A (Function)

### Parameters
#### Path Parameters
None

#### Query Parameters
None

#### Request Body
* **x** (string) - The substring to find and replace.
* **y** (string) - The substring to replace with.
* **z** (string) - The input string.

### Request Example
```
REPLACE("ABC", "DEF", "ABCDEF") # "DEFDEF"
```

### Response
#### Success Response (200)
Returns the string with replacements made.

#### Response Example
```
"DEFDEF"
```

## RFIND(x, y)

### Description
Finds the position of the first occurrence of substring `x` in string `y`, zero-based, using POSIX-based regular expression matching. Returns -1 if not found.

### Method
RFIND

### Endpoint
N/A (Function)

### Parameters
#### Path Parameters
None

#### Query Parameters
None

#### Request Body
* **x** (string) - The regular expression pattern to find.
* **y** (string) - The string to search within.

### Request Example
```
RFIND("[cde]+", "BAcA") # evals to 2
```

### Response
#### Success Response (200)
Returns the zero-based index of the first match, or -1 if not found.

#### Response Example
```
2
```

## RIGHT(x, y)

### Description
Gets the rightmost `y` characters from string `x`.

### Method
RIGHT

### Endpoint
N/A (Function)

### Parameters
#### Path Parameters
None

#### Query Parameters
None

#### Request Body
* **x** (string) - The input string.
* **y** (integer) - The number of characters to retrieve from the right.

### Request Example
```
RIGHT("abc", 2) # evals "bc"
```

### Response
#### Success Response (200)
Returns the rightmost characters of the string.

#### Response Example
```
"bc"
```

## RREPLACE(x, y, z)

### Description
Replaces all occurrences of substring `x` in string `z` with substring `y`, using POSIX-based regular expression matching.

### Method
RREPLACE

### Endpoint
N/A (Function)

### Parameters
#### Path Parameters
None

#### Query Parameters
None

#### Request Body
* **x** (string) - The regular expression pattern to find and replace.
* **y** (string) - The substring to replace with.
* **z** (string) - The input string.

### Request Example
```
RREPLACE("[ABC]", "DEF", "ABCDEF") # "DEFDEFDEFDEF"
```

### Response
#### Success Response (200)
Returns the string with replacements made.

#### Response Example
```
"DEFDEFDEFDEF"
```

## SUBSTR(x, y, z)

### Description
Gets `z` characters from string `x`, after skipping the first `y` characters.

### Method
SUBSTR

### Endpoint
N/A (Function)

### Parameters
#### Path Parameters
None

#### Query Parameters
None

#### Request Body
* **x** (string) - The input string.
* **y** (integer) - The number of characters to skip from the beginning.
* **z** (integer) - The number of characters to retrieve.

### Request Example
```
SUBSTR("abc", 1, 2) # evals "bc"
```

### Response
#### Success Response (200)
Returns the extracted substring.

#### Response Example
```
"bc"
```

## UPPER(x)

### Description
Converts string `x` to upper case.

### Method
UPPER

### Endpoint
N/A (Function)

### Parameters
#### Path Parameters
None

#### Query Parameters
None

#### Request Body
* **x** (string) - The string to convert.

### Request Example
```
UPPER("Abc") # evals "ABC"
```

### Response
#### Success Response (200)
Returns the upper-cased string.

#### Response Example
```
"ABC"
```
```

--------------------------------

### Retrieve Reference Database Data Payload

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/int4-test-execution-specific-functions

Retrieves the reference database data payload in XML format from the current test case execution context. This is useful for accessing and validating reference data.

```Int4 Script
P=GET_TC_REF_DB_DATA();
```

--------------------------------

### JSON Parsing and Rendering

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/built-in-functions

Functions for parsing JSON strings into a manipulable tree structure and rendering that structure back into JSON.

```APIDOC
## JSON_PARSE(x, y)

### Description
Parses JSON text in `x` into a tree structure that allows manipulation and browsing. Parameter `y` represents optional control parameters. Provide `S` for strict operation - throws an error for invalid input.

### Method
JSON_PARSE

### Endpoint
N/A (Function)

### Parameters
#### Path Parameters
None

#### Query Parameters
None

#### Request Body
* **x** (string) - The JSON text to parse.
* **y** (string, optional) - Control parameters. 'S' for strict operation.

### Request Example
```
json_string = '{"name": "John", "age": 30}';
json_tree = JSON_PARSE(json_string);
```

### Response
#### Success Response (Tree Structure)
Returns a tree structure representing the parsed JSON.

#### Response Example
(Internal tree representation, not directly shown as a string)

## JSON_RENDER(x, y)

### Description
Converts a tree structure, as created by `JSON_PARSE` (or manually, if conforming) to JSON representation. Parameter `y` represents optional control parameters. None supported in this version.

### Method
JSON_RENDER

### Endpoint
N/A (Function)

### Parameters
#### Path Parameters
None

#### Query Parameters
None

#### Request Body
* **x** (tree structure) - The JSON tree structure to render.
* **y** (string, optional) - Control parameters (none supported).

### Request Example
```
// Assuming 'json_tree' is a tree structure from JSON_PARSE
rendered_json = JSON_RENDER(json_tree);
```

### Response
#### Success Response (200)
Returns a JSON string representation of the input tree structure.

#### Response Example
```json
{
  "name": "John",
  "age": 30
}
```
```

--------------------------------

### List and Table Operators - ASTER

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/operators

Operators for list creation, manipulation, and indexing. The comma (,) creates lists, while semicolon (;) separates operations. Square brackets ([]) are used for indexing and assignment in tables and lists. The backslash (\) is an alternative read-only indexing operator.

```ASTER
A=(3,2,1) 
# A[1] = 3; A[2] = 2; A[3] = 1
A=3;B=2;C=A*B  # sets C, evals to 6
A = 2 # sets A to 2, evals to 2
A[2][1] # returns element
A[2]["FIELD"] = "value" # assignment
A\2\1 # returns element
value = A\2\1 # reading only!
value = A\1"OFF" # reading only!
```

--------------------------------

### XPath and XSLT

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/built-in-functions

Functions for querying XML data using XPath expressions and transforming XML data using XSLT.

```APIDOC
## CXPATH(x, y)

### Description
Runs XPath matching on XML string `y` using string `x` as the XPath expression. Returns a list of matching nodes.

### Method
CXPATH

### Endpoint
N/A (Function)

### Parameters
#### Path Parameters
None

#### Query Parameters
None

#### Request Body
* **x** (string) - The XPath expression.
* **y** (string) - The XML string to query.

### Request Example
```
XML='<codedb><cl id="3">
'<enumeration value="AAA"/><enumeration value="AAB"/>
'<enumeration value="AAC">AAC value</enumeration>
'<enumeration value="AAD"/><enumeration value="AAE"/>
</cl></codedb>';
XP='//cl[@id=3]/enumeration[@value="AAC"]';
R=CXPATH(XP,XML);
# R[1] == "AAC value"
```

### Response
#### Success Response (200)
Returns a list of matching nodes (strings).

#### Response Example
```
["AAC value"]
```

## CXSLT(x, y, z)

### Description
Runs a XSLT Transformation defined in `x` on XML data in `y`, using optionally provided XSLT parameters in `z`. Returns the result of transformation execution.

### Method
CXSLT

### Endpoint
N/A (Function)

### Parameters
#### Path Parameters
None

#### Query Parameters
None

#### Request Body
* **x** (string or loaded data) - The XSLT transformation definition.
* **y** (string) - The input XML data.
* **z** (object, optional) - Key-value pairs for XSLT parameters.

### Request Example
```
xslt_par='';
xslt_par["A"] = "1234";
xslt_par["B"] = "5678";

xml_in = '<?xml version="1.0"?>
<hello-world>
  <greeter>abcd</greeter>
  <greeting>def</greeting>
</hello-world>';

xslt = LOAD('xml_payload_data'); // Assuming LOAD function retrieves XSLT content

xml_out = CXSLT(xslt, xml_in, xslt_par);
```

### Response
#### Success Response (200)
Returns the result of the XSLT transformation (typically an XML string).

#### Response Example
(Depends on the XSLT transformation applied)
```

--------------------------------

### Looping with WHILE in ASTER

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/control-flow

The WHILE function implements a classical loop construct. It repeatedly evaluates a condition and, if TRUE, executes the provided code block. Execution stops when the condition evaluates to FALSE. The loop evaluates to the last executed expression within the code block. Care must be taken to avoid infinite loops.

```aster
# example of a looping (instead of recurrent) implementation of factorial
# note how the control variable X is tested in condition and then 
# reduced by 1 in every loop execution, ensuring that the looping finishes eventually

DEFUN("LOOPING_FACTORIAL",("X"),
  LOCALS(("R"),
    R=1;                          # initialization done outside the loop
    WHILE(X>1,                    # loop continuation condition
      R=R*X;                      # calculations
      X=X-1);                     # counter decrement, to ensure the loop can stop!
    R                             # this value will be returned by LOCALS block
  )                               #      and by consequence, also by the function
)
```

--------------------------------

### Retrieve Test Case Output Payloads

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/int4-test-execution-specific-functions

Retrieves the list of output payloads from the current test case execution context. It can be used to access specific outputs by index.

```Int4 Script
P=GET_TC_OUTPUTS()[1];
```

--------------------------------

### Render JSON with JSON_RENDER

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/built-in-functions

Converts a tree structure (created by JSON_PARSE or manually) into a JSON string representation. Currently, no optional control parameters are supported.

```code
json_tree = {"name":"Jane", "age":25};
json_string = JSON_RENDER(json_tree);
```

--------------------------------

### Debug Message Logging in Int4 Suite

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/int4-test-execution-specific-functions

Sends a debugging message with the provided content to the test execution log. This function is useful for tracing script execution and identifying issues during testing.

```Int4 Scripting
DEBUG("Helpful notice");
```

--------------------------------

### XPath Matching with CXPATH

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/built-in-functions

Executes an XPath query on an XML string to find matching nodes. The result is a list of the nodes that satisfy the XPath expression.

```code
<codedb><cl id="3">
'<enumeration value="AAA"/><enumeration value="AAB"/>
'<enumeration value="AAC">AAC value</enumeration>
'<enumeration value="AAD"/><enumeration value="AAE"/>
</cl></codedb>
```
XP='//cl[@id=3]/enumeration[@value="AAC"]'
R=CXPATH(XP,XML);
# R[1] == “AAC value"
```

--------------------------------

### Comparison Operators - ASTER

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/operators

Provides operators for numeric and string comparisons. Numeric operators include equality (==), inequality (!=), greater/less than (>, <), and greater/less than or equal (>=, <=). String comparison uses '$==' and '$!='.

```ASTER
3 == 3 # evals to true
3 != 3 # evals to false
3 >= 3 # evals to true
3 > 1 # evals to true
2 < 5 # evals to true
3 <= 3 # evals to true
"A" $== "A" # evals to true
"A" $!= "A" # evals to false
```

--------------------------------

### Log Message with Status in Int4 Suite

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/int4-test-execution-specific-functions

Sends a log message with a specified status to the test execution log. Supported message types include Error (E), Info (I), Success (S), and Warning (W).

```Int4 Scripting
LOG_MESSAGE("E","Error");
LOG_MESSAGE("S","Eureka!");
```

--------------------------------

### Convert to Lowercase with LOWER

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/built-in-functions

Converts all characters in a given string to lowercase.

```code
LOWER("Abc") # evals “abc”
```

--------------------------------

### Recursive Factorial Calculation using DEFUN

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/defining-your-own

This snippet demonstrates how to define and call a recursive function in DEFUN to calculate the factorial of a number. The function 'S' calculates factorial using the recursive definition: S(X) = 1 if X=1, otherwise S(X) = S(X-1) * X. It takes an integer X as input and returns its factorial.

```DEFUN
DEFUN("S","X",IF(X==1,1,S(X-1)*X));
S(5) == (5*4*3*2*1)
```

--------------------------------

### Base64 Decoding with DECODE_BASE64()

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/built-in-functions

The DECODE_BASE64 function decodes a Base64 encoded scalar string. It will fail if the input data is not valid Base64. Ensure the input string is correctly encoded.

```N/A
E=”VEVTVA==”;
T=DECODE_BASE64(E);T $== “TEST”
```

--------------------------------

### Map Operation with Lambda Function (ASTER)

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/defining-your-own

Demonstrates a 'map' operation in ASTER using a lambda function. A named function 'fsquare' is defined using lambda, and then a generic 'map' function is defined using DEFUN to apply 'fsquare' to each element of a list.

```ASTER
# map operation
fsquare = lambda("x",x*x);

defun("map",("list","fun"),
    with(i=0;r=0;c=count(list),
        unset(r);
        while(i<c,
            i=i+1;
            r[i] = {fun}(list[i]));               # note the {} notation to call 
        r));                                      # variable named function

a=(1,2,3,4);
b=map(a,fsquare);

b[1] & " " & b[2] & " " & b[3] & " " & b[4]       # Result: 1.0 4.0 9.0 16.0
```

--------------------------------

### Convert to Uppercase with UPPER

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/built-in-functions

Converts all characters in a given string to uppercase.

```code
UPPER("Abc") # evals “ABC”
```

--------------------------------

### GZIP Decompression with DECOMP_GZIP()

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/built-in-functions

The DECOMP_GZIP function decompresses scalar data that has been GZIP compressed. It will fail if the input data is not valid GZIP compressed data. Use COMP_GZIP() to generate compatible data.

```N/A
A="test";
C=COMP_GZIP(A);
D=DECOMP_GZIP(C);A $== D
```

--------------------------------

### Conditional Execution with IF in ASTER

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/control-flow

The IF function provides classical conditional execution. It evaluates a condition and, based on whether it's TRUE or FALSE, executes either the second or third argument. The arguments can be any code sequence. TRUE is represented as 'X' and FALSE as ' '.

```aster
IF(1>2,A="This will not evaluate");   # only condition gets evaluated, IF will return FALSE
IF(1>2,A=1,A=2);                      # A is now equal 2, IF will return 2
IF(1>0,A=1,A=2);                      # A is now equal 1, IF will return 1
```

--------------------------------

### Removing Elements from a List in ASTER

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/tables-and-dynamic-symbols

Illustrates the use of the `UNSET` function to remove elements from a list in ASTER. It clarifies that `UNSET` removes the element but does not re-index the remaining elements, preserving their original indices.

```ASTER
A=(1,2,3,4);
UNSET(A[2])                             # A is now (1,3,4)

# note that unset does not alter indexes, that is : A[1] == 1, A[3] == 3, A[4] == 4
```

--------------------------------

### Find Substring with FIND

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/built-in-functions

Finds the zero-based index of the first occurrence of a substring within a string. Returns -1 if the substring is not found.

```code
FIND("A","BACA") # evals to 1
```

--------------------------------

### Find Substring with RFIND (Regex)

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/built-in-functions

Finds the zero-based index of the first occurrence of a pattern matching a POSIX-based regular expression within a string. Returns -1 if no match is found.

```code
RFIND("[cde]+","BAcA") # evals to 2
```

--------------------------------

### Conditional Variable Assignment based on Design Mode (ASTER)

Source: https://help.int4.com/int4-aster-documentation/3.14/int4-test-execution-runtime-variables

This snippet demonstrates how to conditionally assign values to variables based on whether the script is running in the design editor (_DESIGN_MODE_ is true) or during test execution. It utilizes ASTER's IF function and other Int4-specific functions like GET_TC_VAR, GET_TC_OUTPUTS, and GET_CONTEXT_PAYLOAD.

```ASTER
PO = IF(_DESIGN_MODE_, 
          "AFT_S4_123",
          GET_TC_VAR("PO")[1]["NEWVAR"]);
          
PAYLOAD = IF(_DESIGN_MODE_,
            GET_TC_OUTPUTS()[1],
            GET_CONTEXT_PAYLOAD());
```
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