Can we activate the regexp_like operator in PeopleSoft Query Manager (4-tier)

Question

As I am just learning more and more about regular expressions in programming languages, and especially all the performance benefits we can take out of this for string manipulations, I see that of course Oracle supports regular expressions.

But on PeopleSoft (4-tier), within the "Query Manager", we can only select the "Like" operator and of course, each time we use it, the query performances drop down dramatically (logical)...

Does anyone know if this is something which can be activated as a parameter or it does not exist at all as considered too complex for a "normal" end user?

Answer 1

From a performance perspective a REGEXP_LIKE is no different to a LIKE. It is even less likely to use an index. All it might to is return a more focused result set.

PeopleSoft Query Manager (4-tier) is aimed at non-technical people. Many programmers have problems understanding regular expressions: I think people who can't write SQL are going to really struggle with regex.

Answer 2

Better late than never, but for the record, I do use Regular Expressions in PeopleSoft Query (even in 2 tier mode). You need to use the "EQUAL TO" operator and enter your regular expression as a PeopleSoft Query expression value.

For a specific report I had to let users enter up to 5 prompt parameters for Degree Checkout Status (DEGR_CHKOUT_STAT). The specific values and number of values changed based on school and user running the report.

I created a 30 character long prompt (referred to as :3 below) and called it DEGR_CHKOUT_STAT. You can send "AW,PN,IR,EG,AG" or just "AW" for prompt :3 and the query works.

Expression 1: A.DEGR_CHKOUT_STAT Operator: equal to Expression 2: ANY(REGEXP_SUBSTR( :3, '[^,]+',1,1 ) , REGEXP_SUBSTR( :3, '[^,]+',1,2 ) , REGEXP_SUBSTR( :3, '[^,]+',1,3 ) , REGEXP_SUBSTR( :3, '[^,]+',1,4 ) , REGEXP_SUBSTR( :3, '[^,]+',1,5 ) )

Since I am new I don't have enough reputation points to post a picture but I can email it to you upon request.