8.3.1 Primary Rule

Use a primary rule within a rule pattern to:

• Select a dataset to be evaluated.
• Define constraints against the associated records.
• Specify the focal entity attribute.
• Define variables or bindings.
• Indicate whether dataset rows are recorded as matches.
• Indicate whether records that represent the same focus are clustered into a single, potential match or are listed as separate matches.
• Define thresholds within rule constraints and variable or bindings.

The conditions of the primary rule must be satisfied so the detection process can move forward and evaluate the sub-rules and checkpoints.