QLingo and Advanced Plan Logic Workshop
Plan files contain the business logic that drives a campaign and are required for all XMPie campaigns. They define data sources, recipient tables, and data fields, while also determining how Content Object (ADOR) values are calculated and displayed within campaign templates. Campaign logic, whether simple or complex, uses SQL and QLingo functions to retrieve data and calculate personalized content.
For basic modifications, plan files can be edited using uCreate Print or Circle's Plan Editor. However, when campaigns require remote or multiple data sources, complex recipient filtering and advanced queries, sophisticated business rules and new functions, uPlan provides the functionality you need to create and maintain these more advanced plan files.
- How the QLingo language works, and how the software works with data
- To implement business rules for each type of Content Object (ADOR)
- To use built-in functions within either uCreate or uPlan (depending on the desired focus)
- To use the uPlan application and how plan components apply to a plan file
- To implement complex business rules including building custom functions (as needed)
- To generate and work with proof sets and why they are needed
Workshop Required Software: Adobe InDesign, XMPie uCreate, uPlan and, if applicable, access to the uProduce Dashboard.
XMPie ILT: QLingo
This practice walks through using the uPlan application to build a plan file that contains basic and intermediate level campaign logic by implementing a recipient data source, along with an additional related data source. Beginning with concepts, terminology, the interface, workflows and previously used features are reviewed.
Audience: Programmers that work with the variable data files.
Learning Prerequisite: Basic SQL and other data programming skills are helpful. Must have completed Practice 1 and optionally, 3.
Practice Takeaway: How to edit and use plan files.
Estimated Effort: 1-2+ hours, depending on Q&A.
Learning Materials: TBD
Learning Objectives:
- Review plan logic and components, using uPlan (if applicable) or uCreate:
- ADOR Objects (aka Content Objects)
- Recipient Objects and Filters
- Data Source Objects and Tables
- User Views
- Variables and Audiences
- Functions
- Linking assets
- Review the typical workflows for plan files, their creation and how they are used.
- Modify an existing plan file:
- Review the modifications needed
- Download from uProduce
- The plan file to edit
- Data to use with the plan
- Review the plan's components (ADORs, variables, etc.)
- Add a recipient filter (SQL query)
- Create and use a plan variable
- Modify other rules and review/use QLingo functions
- Generate proofset(s)
- Discuss how to use plan files and proof sets
This practice explores more complex features and functionality not available in other plan editors. Here a plan file is created from scratch using multiple data sources.
Audience: Data or logic programmers benefit most when available. Other variable data production designers that work with logic are encouraged to attend.
Learning Prerequisite: Basic SQL and other data programming skills are helpful. Must have completed Practice 1, 3 and 26.
Practice Takeaway: How to build a plan file from scratch using multiple data sources.
Estimated Effort: 2+ hours, depending on Q&A.
Learning Materials: TBD
Learning Objectives:
- Review campaign objectives, the data supplied and what is needed for the Content Objects/ADORs for all campaign touchpoints.
- Create a new plan file using two data sources and build Content Objects based on the campaign's requirements.
- Using the Getting Started plan wizard
- Review the wizard created objects (use only recipient data)
- Add another data source.
- Use the wizard to add a data source, explain the differences
- Create a user view for the additional data source
- Review and discuss the SQL required
- Create ADOR objects or Table Object
- Discuss or use User View QLingo functions
- Create and use variables (as needed)
- Create and use a custom function
- Discuss dials, insert expression, and other features.
Hands-on Practice 25: Creating Campaign Logic (Basics using uPlan, if app)
This practice walks through using the uPlan application to build a plan file that contains basic and intermediate level campaign logic by implementing a recipient data source, along with an additional related data source. Beginning with concepts, terminology, the interface, workflows and previously used features are reviewed.
Audience: Programmers that work with the variable data files.
Learning Prerequisite: Basic SQL and other data programming skills are helpful. Must have completed Practice 1 and optionally, 3.
Practice Takeaway: How to edit and use plan files.
Estimated Effort: 1-2+ hours, depending on Q&A.
Learning Materials: TBD
Learning Objectives:
- Review plan logic and components, using uPlan (if applicable) or uCreate:
- ADOR Objects (aka Content Objects)
- Recipient Objects and Filters
- Data Source Objects and Tables
- User Views
- Variables and Audiences
- Functions
- Linking assets
- Review the typical workflows for plan files, their creation and how they are used.
- Modify an existing plan file:
- Review the modifications needed
- Download from uProduce
- The plan file to edit
- Data to use with the plan
- Review the plan's components (ADORs, variables, etc.)
- Add a recipient filter (SQL query)
- Create and use a plan variable
- Modify other rules and review/use QLingo functions
- Generate proofset(s)
- Discuss how to use plan files and proof sets
Hands-on Practice 26: Creating a complex plan file
This practice explores more complex features and functionality not available in other plan editors. Here a plan file is created from scratch using multiple data sources.
Audience: Data or logic programmers benefit most when available. Other variable data production designers that work with logic are encouraged to attend.
Learning Prerequisite: Basic SQL and other data programming skills are helpful. Must have completed Practice 1, 3 and 26.
Practice Takeaway: How to build a plan file from scratch using multiple data sources.
Estimated Effort: 2+ hours, depending on Q&A.
Learning Materials: TBD
Learning Objectives:
- Review campaign objectives, the data supplied and what is needed for the Content Objects/ADORs for all campaign touchpoints.
- Create a new plan file using two data sources and build Content Objects based on the campaign's requirements.
- Using the Getting Started plan wizard
- Review the wizard created objects (use only recipient data)
- Add another data source.
- Use the wizard to add a data source, explain the differences
- Create a user view for the additional data source
- Review and discuss the SQL required
- Create ADOR objects or Table Object
- Discuss or use User View QLingo functions
- Create and use variables (as needed)
- Create and use a custom function
- Discuss dials, insert expression, and other features.