1. Formula Validation

The tested formula is placed in the field at the top of the window. In addition, all variables are put in separate lines and their initial value is 0.

Simultaneously, the formula syntax and content is validated against a number of built-in checks, that can be divided in two groups:

a) Syntax Validation

This group checks if the formula's syntax is well-formed (see Formulas and Conditional Statements). The following syntax errors are covered:

• No formula defined!
• Opening or closing round brackets missing!
• Opening or closing square bracket missing!
• Conditional statement at position x not enclosed in square brackets!
• Syntax error in conditional statement. Correct syntax is [condition:value].
• Adjacent operators (xx)!
• Last character of the formula is an operator!
• Variable not enclosed in hashes (#)!
• Illegal characters: xyz
• Unknown error!
• Adjacent hashes!

If a formula passes syntax validation, additional checks are performed in some cases.

b) Content Validation

In some cases, where formulas are more complex, the validation performs additional checks. The following errors can occur:

•  Formula testing for financial reports:
  • The first character of #xx# must be a transaction type of a column mark!
  • The line number must be an integer (#xx#)!
• Formula testing for posting template:
  • The first character of #xx# must be an operation type (R, S, O or A)!
  • The second character of #xx# must be a transaction type (D, K, S, P or O)!
  • The line number must be an integer (#xx#)!
• Formula testing for pricing
  • Variable not defined

2. Calculation

Where appropriate (e.g. salary and price calculation), enter the desired values in the Value column. The variables are then replaced with those values, as shown in Calculation field, and the result of this computation is shown in the field below.