Tags are a mechanism for putting dynamic values into components. For example, when a file is generated, it could use the current system time value as part of its filename.

Tags are broken down into several areas, based on the sort of data they reference. There are some pre-defined system Tags, some data dependent Tags based on the datasets that are involved, and it is also possible to have user-defined Tags.

  • System Tags - these are independent of the data, and they are pre-defined e.g. License Tags, and Standard Tags.

  • Data Tags - these tags follow a particular pattern that are referencing data, but will vary depending on the data being processed e.g. Data Tags, and Partner Tags.

  • User-defined Tags - defined and controlled by the user e.g. Parameter Tags, Local Global Tags, Super Global Tags.

A key feature or fundamental principle of Tags is that they are configured at design time through the component design screens, but they do not involve scripting.

Tags can normally be used wherever you would enter normal text values into the main component design screen form. On the other hand, Tags cannot be used in a design screen for a component. e.g. the table/field list screens for definitions.

Tags are always displayed inside arrows, such as <….>.