Dependencies

Edit checks can involve multiple items. For example, you can calculate the value of an item based on the value of one or more other items. You can check whether the value of one item has the appropriate relationship to the value of another; for example, whether the date of the second visit is at least two weeks later than the date of the first. All of the items whose value a rule looks at are called its dependencies.

Rule dependencies identify which item receives a query if a rule fails, and which item receives the result of a calculation. Dependency properties also determine whether an item has to have data entered in it for a rule to run. If an item is identified as an applied dependency, it receives a query if a rule fails or a calculation result if the rule is a calculation. If an item is identified as an applied or dependent dependency, it must have data entered before a rule can run. If an item is identified as a trigger dependency, the rule runs whether or not the item has data.

When you plan your trial’s edit checks, consider which items are related to each other in such a way that you could identify the items as rule dependencies and use a rule to validate the relationship. Also, consider whether you can use rules to calculate the value of items.