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Expression Builder

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Use the Expression Builder dialog box to create and edit a property expression or write the expression that sets the value of a variable using a graphical user interface that lists variables and provides a built-in reference to the functions, type casts, and operators that the Integration Services expression language includes.

A property expression is an expression that is assigned to a property. When the expression is evaluated, the property is dynamically updated to use the evaluation result of the expression. Likewise, an expression that is used in a variable enables the variable value to be updated with the evaluation result of the expression.

There are many ways to use expressions:

  • **Tasks   **Update the To line that a Send Mail task uses by inserting an e-mail address that is stored in a variable; or update the Subject line by concatenating a string such as "Sales for: " and the current date returned by the GETDATE function.
  • **Variables   **Set the value of a variable to the current month by using an expression like DATEPART("mm",GETDATE()); or set the value of a string by concatenating the string literal and the current date by using the expression "Today's date is " + (DT_WSTR,30)(GETDATE()).
  • Connection Managers   Set the code page of a Flat File connection manager by using a variable that contains a different code page identifier; or specify the number of rows in the data file to skip by entering a positive integer like 3 in the expression.

To learn more about property expressions and writing expressions, see Using Property Expressions in Packages and Integration Services Expression Reference.

Options

  • Variables
    Expand the Variables folder and drag variables to the Expression box.
  • Mathematical Functions, String Functions, Date/Time Functions, NULL Functions, Type Casts, Operators
    Expand the folders and drag functions, type casts, and operators to the Expression box.
  • Expression
    Edit or type an expression.
  • Evaluated value
    Lists the evaluation result of the expression.
  • Evaluate Expression
    Click Evaluate Expression to view the evaluation result of the expression.

See Also

Reference

Expressions Page
Property Expressions Editor

Other Resources

Integration Services Variables
System Variables

Help and Information

Getting SQL Server 2005 Assistance

Change History

Release History

14 April 2006
New content:
  • Added information about expressions.