Expression Parser Module (EPM)

Parses and executes expressions. Used throughout Singl.eView Convergent Billing to

make comparisons, validate input, and calculate values. The EPM provides a number of
built-in functions, including mathematical, type conversion, string processing, date
functions, subtotal history, invoice data, and form automation.

Expression
Combinations of operators (arithmetic and relational) and variables that, when evaluated
by the Expression Parser Module, return a single value. The variables that can be used in
an expression depend on the variable type, and the context and application environment
in which the expression is to be used. Usage of direct variables in expressions also
depends on the defined database view. Expressions are used throughout Singl.eView
Convergent Billing in both client and server processes.

Expressions

The expressions defined in Convergent Billing consist of operators and variables that
when evaluated return a single value. The Expression Parser Module (EPM) which
provides a set of built-in functions for both parsing and evaluating an expression
performs the evaluation of expressions. Expressions are used in Convergent Billing to:

· Determine which tariff to apply.

· Define and calculate tariffs.

· Perform table lookup.

· Validate raw event records as they are normalised.

· Validate data entered by a CSR.

· Define functions, derived attributes, and define subtotals.

· Substitute values in an invoice template.

An expression can be defined whenever it is required. When defining a tariff or subtotal

and where a set of conditions or eligibility criteria need to be evaluated, an expression
needs to be defined. Expressions can be used in combination so that the result of one
expression is used as input to another expression.

Operators can be arithmetic or relational. Any type of variable can be used in an

expression (direct variables, functions, derived attributes, tariffs, subtotals, and list types).
A variable can only be used in an expression, if it is the correct data type, has the correct
syntax, and has the correct application environment.

The following expression types are available in Convergent Billing:

· Control Expressions

· Variable Definition Expressions

· Single Expressions.

For more information on expressions, refer to the Variable, Expressions and Functions
manual for Singl.eView Convergent Billing.

TUXEDO Service
Code written to perform a specific application task. Each service has a service name and
is advertised as being available. Service requests for an advertised service are added to
the message queue of the server containing the service.

Backend Monitor Process (BMP)

A server process responsible for controlling and monitoring the Event Rater Broker
Process (ERB), the server processes that control scheduling (namely, the STD and TLM),
and the ESI process. The BMP monitors the status of each process and restarts any that
have failed.
The BMP also listens on a TCP/IP socket for connections, and subsequent commands,
from the ECP.

Tariff
Specifies the charges to be applied to events, and the rules for applying them, to calculate
cost information. Tariffs can result in both positive and negative values being calculated.
Each tariff can be specified as being “billable” or “non-billable” thereby determining
whether the values calculated are included on the customer’s invoice. Typically, tariffs
include:

Usage Tariffs
Discount Tariffs
Recurring Tariffs
Tax Tariffs
Comparative Tariffs.

Expression Control Program (ECP)

The Expression Control Program (ECP) provides a server command-line interface for the
evaluation of Convergent Billing expressions and functions. It is often used to execute
the remote built-in functions provided for the control of server processes, defined for the
biEcp TUXEDO service.
Command Line Usage:

Ø ecp <expression>
[-f <function_name>]
[-u <username>/<password>]
[-?]

Parameters:

<expression>
The Convergent Billing expression to evaluate. In most cases, the expression is a
call to a function on the biEcp service.
-f <function_name>
Displays the usage message of the function specified.
-u <username>/<password>
Specifies the username and password for the TRE.
-?
Displays the command line parameter help.

The biEcp functions can be divided into the following areas:

Starting Processes
Stopping Processes
Status Reporting and Tracing
Purging
Processing Files.

Stopping Processes

Return to Expression Control Program (ECP)

The functions for stopping processes are:

Process Function
BMP biBmpStop&
ERB and its children (ENM, ERT, and ERO)biBkrStop&
ENM biEnmStop&
ERO biEroStop&
ERT biErtStop&
ESI biEsiStop&
STD biStdStop&
TLM biTlmStop&

Starting Processes

Return to Expression Control Program (ECP)

The functions for starting processes are:

Process Function
BMP

biBmpStart&biBmpStartAll&()biBmpStart&(ProcessNum&)biBmpStart&(instanceName
$)
ERB and its children (ENM, ERT, and ERO)biBkrStart&
ENM biEnmStart&
ERO biEroStart&
ERT biErtStart&
ESI biEsiStart&
STD biStdStart&
TLM biTlmStart&

Status Reporting and Tracing

Return to Expression Control Program (ECP)

The functions for reporting on process status are:

Process Function
ENM biEnmStatusReq&
ERO biEroStatusReq&
ERT biErtStatusReq&
ERB biBkrStatusReq&
ERB Tracing biBkrTrace&
Set ECP trace file biEcpDialFile&

The effects of calling these functions are:

· The process statistics are returned in the pass-by-reference parameters, and can be
inspected using other Convergent Billing expressions and functions.

· The process sends a status report to the file bkr.sts in the

$ATA_DATA_SERVER_LOG directory.

· The process’s internal status report timer (defined in the STATISTICS_TIMEOUT

attribute of the process Configuration Item) is reset.

The functions provided for tracing are:

Function Description
biBkrTrace& Toggles trace mode for the specified ERB process.
biEcpDiagFile& Sets the ECP diagnostic trace file and enables trace messages.