Pattern
When you use the Pattern batching method, set these input device properties as indicated:
- Workflow: ParentNoPrint
- Child workflow: The workflow that is appropriate for the print files in the job.
- Submit step: SubmitInputFiles
- Create .zip file: No
For example, you might want to send a JDF job ticket file along with an overrides
file and a data file for a job. If a job ticket input file ends in .jdf and should have spool file usage "overrides" and spool file type "jdf", you can associate
those three patterns with each other. Using RICOH ProcessDirector regular expression syntax, you define a series of input file name patterns that a
hot folder or SFTP input device will recognize and include in the new job it creates.
This table shows a simple example of files that can be processed together using pattern-matching.
| Data pattern | File pattern | File usage | File type | Spool file type | Example matching file name | Example spool file name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| .*$ | .*jdf$ | overrides | Other | jdf | abc000317.jdf |
/aiw/aiw1/spool/default/10000143/10000143.overrides.jdf |
JDF job ticket |
| .*$ | .*oth$ | overrides | Other | txt | abc00317.oth |
/aiw/aiw1/spool/default/10000143/10000143.overrides.txt |
Overrides file |
| .*$ | .*pdf$ | Data | abc00317.pdf |
/aiw/aiw1/spool/default/10000143/1000143.print.pdf |
PDF file |
You can use the Data patterns property and the File Patterns property to create precise file name and file type matches. If you want to use parts of the pattern from the Data patterns field as part of a file pattern, surround those parts of the Data patterns expression in parentheses, forming a backreference that you express in the File Patterns field with a backslash and a number. This table shows the results of pattern matching using a backreference:
| Tab | Field | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batching | Data patterns | The expression (.*) defines a backreference to the data file name without the extension. When a data file name matches this pattern, all the characters that match (.*) are assigned to backreference \1. | |
| Batching | File pattern | \1\.jdf | Matches the data file name, but changes the extension to .jdf. Job1.pdf and Job1.jdf are considered a match and are included in the job, but Job2.jdf does not match. |
In a more complex example:
| Tab | Field | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batching | Data patterns | (abc)(def)\.pdf,.*-(12)-.*\.pdf |
The data file must match one of these two comma-separated patterns. Data pattern 1: \1 = abc and \2 = def The expressions (abc) and (def) define backreferences to the data file name. The extension
must be A data file that matches pattern 1 is Data pattern 2: \1 = 12 The expression (12) defines a backreference requiring that the data file is for the
month of December (assuming the date format of a data file is year-month-day. The extension must be . A data file that matches pattern 2 is |
| Batching | Overrides patterns | \1\.oth |
The overrides file must be named |
| Batching | File pattern | 2011-(\1)\.jdf |
The file |
| File usage | overrides | ||
| File type | jdf | ||
| Required | Yes | ||
| Sequence | 1 | ||
| Batching | File pattern | \2\1\.jdf |
The file |
| File usage | overrides | ||
| File type | jdf | ||
| Required | Yes | ||
| Sequence | 2 | ||
| Batching | File pattern | \1\.txt |
The file |
| File usage | file | ||
| File type | txt | ||
| Required | No | ||
| Sequence | 3 |
To edit the Batching tab:
- To add a file pattern, type values in the fields on the Batching tab, and click Add. Type values in the fields and click Save.
- To remove a file pattern, select the checkbox for that file pattern and click Remove.
- To edit a file pattern, select the checkbox for that file pattern and click Edit. The values display in the file pattern entry fields; change them as needed and click Save.
- If you create two file patterns that are the same, or if a pattern's file type and usage match another pattern's file type and usage, a warning message displays, but you can still add the pattern. The first file pattern encountered is processed, based on the value of the Sequence property.
- To cancel a change, click Cancel. The system cancels the last unsaved change.
Keep these tips in mind as you set up patterns on the Batching tab:
- We recommend that you define your patterns carefully, especially for required files, so that only one file matches the specified pattern. It is not possible to specify that more than one file must match a pattern; as soon as one required file matches the pattern, the system considers the requirement met, and will start processing the job when at least one matching required file for each defined pattern is present in the hot folder or SFTP input device.
- Remember to click OK to save your changes before leaving the page. If you leave the page without saving your changes, the changes are discarded.
- The rules that you specify in the table are processed in sequence order (from top to bottom); if any conflicting rows exist in your table, the first pattern in the sequence will be used.
- When you use the Pattern batching method, use these guidelines for the fields in the
Advanced tab:
- Use the Overrides pattern field in the Advanced tab, not in the Batching tab.
- Do not use the JDF patterns field in the Advanced tab; define those patterns in the Batching tab.