What Is the Syntax Used in Calculated Columns of SCIEX OS Software?

For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

Answer

The calculated columns section within the processing methods of SCIEX OS software is a useful way to create custom columns in the results table or a custom formula for a flagging rule. There are certain basic mathematical functions that can be used for constructing equations (such as OR or AND), and these can only be added to the calculation in a specific format. The operators and their definitions are listed below:

Operator: <
Description: Returns a true result if the preceding value is less than the following value, and a false result if it is not.

Operator: <=
Description: Returns a true result if the preceding value is less than or equal to the following value, and a false result if it is not.

Operator: >
Description: Returns a true result if the preceding value is greater than the following value, and a false result if it is not.

Operator: >=
Description: Returns a true result if the preceding value is greater than or equal to the following value, and a false result if it is not.

Operator: !=
Description: Returns a true result if the preceding value is not equal to the following value, and a false result if it is equal.

Operator: &&
Description: Returns a true result if both the preceding and the following expressions are true, and a false result if one or both expressions are false. Represents the Boolean "and" operator. Allows for combining expressions in logical tests.

Operator: ||
Description: Returns a true result if either the preceding or the following expressions are true, and a false result if both expressions are false. Represents the Boolean "or" operator. Allows for combining expressions in logical tests.

Operator: true
Description: (For columns in the results table that contain check boxes) Identifies columns for which the check box is selected.

Operator: false
Description: (For columns in the results table that contain check boxes) Identifies columns for which the check box is cleared.

It is important to know that for IF statements, a semi colon ( ; ) is used to separate the condition, value if true, and value if false portions of the IF statement along with a single apostrophe ( ' ) used around text values.
For the AND and OR functions (&& and ||), these are not placed before a string of expressions but rather in-between each expression.
Additionally, for IF functions, treat resulting text value as needs to be set to original text.

An example of this is shown below.
Example: IF([Sample Type] = 'Standard'&&[Used] = true&&[Reportable] = true; 'Qualified STD reported' ; ' ')

When it comes to flagging rules which are traffic lights (RED circle, Orange triangle, GREEN check-mark, or GREY square), these colors are used as text in IF statements. An example is given below where the output is FAIL if the ion ratio confidence is a RED circle, and PASS if it is not.
Example: IF([Ion Ratio Confidence]='Red' ; 'FAIL' ; 'PASS')