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HCL Domino Designer Basic User Guide and Reference
This guide provides information on using HCL Domino Designer and programming language reference information.
Formula Language
This section documents the formula language.
Formula Language Rules
Formula language provides syntax and @functions for evaluating constants and variables, and for performing simple logic. Variables can be fields in Notes® documents or temporary variables (also called temporary fields) used only for the immediate formula.
Using @functions
Notes® @functions are built-in formulas that perform specialized calculations and return a value. The following sections describe:
Side-effects
A side-effect is an action that occurs outside the immediate scope of the formula. For example, @Prompt displays a dialog box in addition to returning a value. Make sure that a side-effect occurs at the correct point of a formula's execution.

HCL Domino Designer Basic User Guide and Reference
This guide provides information on using HCL Domino Designer and programming language reference information.
- What's new in HCL Domino Designer 11 for developers?
  The following features are new for developers in HCL Domino® Designer 11.
- Accessibility and keyboard shortcuts
  Accessibility features assist users who have a disability, such as restricted mobility or limited vision, to use information technology content successfully.
- Application Design
  Welcome to the Application Design section of Domino® Designer Help.
- Application Management
  Welcome to the Application Management section of Domino® Designer Help.
- Domino® Query Language
  Domino® Query Language (DQL) is a facility running on a Domino server that provides a terse, shorthand syntax for finding documents. It supports a wide variety and complexity of search terms. It leverages existing design elements, avoiding the need to write detailed code to access them. DQL consolidates all methods in Domino for searching document contents.
- Composite Applications - Design and Management
  Composite applications are a key element in a service-oriented architecture (SOA) and contextual collaboration strategy. The ability to create and edit composite applications lets you easily integrate different types of components and technologies.
- DB2® Access views
  Domino® Designer includes two types of design elements to assist you in managing data contained in DB2® enabled Notes® databases:
- Programming Overview and User Interface
  This section contains general guidelines and examples that show where to use Java, LotusScript, and the formula language.
- Formula Language
  This section documents the formula language.
  - Formula Language Rules
    Formula language provides syntax and @functions for evaluating constants and variables, and for performing simple logic. Variables can be fields in Notes® documents or temporary variables (also called temporary fields) used only for the immediate formula.
    - Using the syntax rules
      You understand formula language through its:
    - Using variables
      Variables are of two types:
    - Using constants
      Formulas use three types of constants:
    - Using operators
      Operators assign values, modify values, and combine existing values into new values. The following sections describe:
    - Using @functions
      Notes® @functions are built-in formulas that perform specialized calculations and return a value. The following sections describe:
      - Syntax
        The general format of an @function is:
      - Return values and @functions
        An @function calculates a return value and replaces itself with the value. The use of the @function must be appropriate for its data type. For example, @Power can compute the value of a numeric field:
      - Side-effects
        A side-effect is an action that occurs outside the immediate scope of the formula. For example, @Prompt displays a dialog box in addition to returning a value. Make sure that a side-effect occurs at the correct point of a formula's execution.
      - @Commands
        The @Command and @PostedCommand functions execute a Notes® command. The first argument to @Command or @PostedCommand is a keyword argument that specifies the Notes command. Depending on the Notes command, other arguments may be required.
      - Order of evaluation for formula statements
        Domino® evaluates formulas from beginning to end and left to right, completing each statement before proceeding to the next, except that @PostedCommand and a few @Command functions are executed in order after all other @functions complete execution. Formula language contains several @functions for control logic.
    - Using reserved words
      Formula language includes a set of reserved words that perform special functions:
    - Specifying form and view names in formulas
      When you specify a form or view name in a formula:
    - Debugging formulas
      The formula language does not provide a formal debugging mechanism. You can use @Prompt to stop at certain points and to examine variables. This example uses @Prompt to set a checkpoint and then to examine a variable. After you establish that your code is running correctly, remove the debug statements.
  - Formula Language Coding Guidelines
  - Formula Language @Functions A-Z
    Formula Language @Functions A-Z
  - Formula Language @Commands A-Z
- LotusScript® Language
  Welcome to the LotusScript® Language section of Domino® Designer Help.
- LotusScript/COM/OLE Classes
- Java/CORBA Classes
  This section documents the Java/CORBA classes.
- Connectors
  Connectors provide native access to a wide variety of DBMS products, ODBC, the platform File system, Enterprise Resource Planning systems, and Transaction Processing systems.
- Javadoc™ for Domino® Designer related APIs
  As part of providing additional Java™ reference documentation, Domino® Designer ships with a help plugin that contains Javadoc™ for additional Domino Designer related APIs.

Side-effects

A side-effect is an action that occurs outside the immediate scope of the formula. For example, @Prompt displays a dialog box in addition to returning a value. Make sure that a side-effect occurs at the correct point of a formula's execution.

The following @functions have side-effects:


@Function	Side-effect
@Command @PostedCommand	A Notes® command, such as opening a database, is performed.
@DbColumn @DbCommand @DbLookup	Another view or database is accessed, and data is retrieved.
@DDEInitiate @DDEExecute @DDEPoke @DDETerminate	A DDE conversation is initiated (or terminated), or a DDE statement is executed.
@MailSend	A Notes® mail memo is created and routed to another user or database.
@Prompt @PickList @DialogBox	A dialog box is displayed; data may be returned.