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Logical Classifications

Logical classifications combine existing classifications using boolean logic. They allow conditions from value classifications, relational classifications, and other logical classifications to be evaluated together and produce a single true/false result.

Purpose

Logical classifications are used when a rule depends on several conditions evaluated together, rather than on a single column or a single relations path. They provide a way to express combined logic without duplicating underlying classification definitions.

How Logical Classifications Work

A logical classification references a set of other classifications and defines when the combined result should be considered true. Logical operators determine how the input classifications interact:

  • AND – all referenced classifications must be true
  • OR – at least one referenced classification must be true
  • NOT – the referenced classification must be false

Logical classifications may include other logical classifications, allowing nested expressions.

Why Logical Classifications Are Needed

Some rules require evaluating several conditions together. These conditions might come from different tables, different classification types, or different parts of the data model. Logical classifications provide a single point where these combined conditions can be evaluated.

Examples (in words only):

  • A customer is contactable if any contact method classification is true.
  • A person is eligible if both age and identity requirements are satisfied.
  • An entity passes validation if it meets one of several defined criteria.

Classification filters and relational logic cannot express these combinations by themselves.

Structure

A logical classification consists of:

  • A target table
  • A set of referenced classifications
  • One or more rows defining which combinations of results should evaluate to true

Each row defines a required pattern of boolean values across the referenced classifications.

Configuration Semantics

For each referenced classification, a row may specify:

  • True – the referenced classification must evaluate to true
  • False – the referenced classification must evaluate to false
  • Ignore – the referenced classification is not considered

A logical classification evaluates to true if any one of the configured rows matches. Within a row, all specified conditions must be satisfied.

This provides the effect of a simplified truth table: only the combinations that should evaluate to true are listed; all other combinations evaluate to false.

Nesting

Logical classifications can reference other logical classifications. This allows:

  • Aggregating multiple subconditions
  • Reusing logic across several rules
  • Constructing more complex expressions without redundancy