Defining Data

Learn how to define data in Kognitos.

Overview

In Kognitos, defining data refers to the process of assigning a name to a piece of information. Data can be used, referenced, updated, or passed between steps in your automation after it is defined.

Each data element consists of two parts: a name, which identifies and labels the data, and a value, which holds the information itself. Data values can be singular or plural.

Defining Singular Data

To define a singular data element, use "is":

<data name> is <data value>

Defining Plural Data

To define a plural data element, use "are":

<data name(s)> are <data value(s)>

Examples

1. In this example, the customer is the data name. It is assigned the singular value "John Smith":

the customer is "John Smith"

1. Here, the items is the plural data name. It is assigned the plural value of the documents.

the items are the documents

1. In this example, the fruits is the plural data name. It is assigned a list (plural) of fruit values:

the fruits are the apple, the banana, the orange

Make sure singular names pair with singular values, and plural names pair with plural values! For example, you wouldn’t write “the fruits is the orange”. Instead, you would write: “the fruits are the oranges”.

Data Names

Data names define how information is labeled and referenced. The following rules apply:

1. Begin with "the"

Data names must be prefaced with the. For example:

the email

the phone number

the primary username

2. Names can be Simple or Descriptive

Data names can be simple or descriptive. Adjectives can be used in descriptive names to provide additional clarity or context. For example:

Simple Name

the message

Descriptive Name

the very special user greeting message

Data Values

Data values can be singular or plural. Possible data types include numbers, text, dates, lists, or references to other data elements.

1. Numbers

Numeric values can be assigned to data such as age, balance, or rates. For example:

the age is 21

the bank balance is $120.20

the interest rates are 5.67, 6.25

2. Text

Text values can be words, sentences, or phrases. They can include any characters—letters, numbers, symbols, or spaces—as long as they are enclosed in double quotes (""). For example:

the message is "Welcome to Kognitos!"

the username is "i-like-to-automate-123"

the announcement is "We're so glad you're here. Let's build something great together."

3. Dates

A date value represents a specific calendar day, such as a due date, birthday, or event date. Be sure to enclose date values in double quotes (""). For example:

the due date is "2024-11-05"

the project start date is "January 1, 2024"

the birthday is "March 22, 1990"

4. Lists

To define a list, separate the values by commas. For example:

the test scores are 95, 86, 100, 77, 65 and 99

the coupon codes are "SAVE20", "SALE2024", "HAPPYHOUR" and "JUST4U"

the email addresses are "[email protected]", "[email protected]" and "[email protected]"

5. Referencing Other Data

The value of a data element can also be a reference to another data element. In these cases, the data value is set to another data name. For example:

the username is the customer email

the documents are the receipts 

the approver is the manager

Note: You can only reference another data element if it has been defined earlier in the automation.

6. The Above

When a data element's value is set to the above, Kognitos will assume the value from the previous lines in the automation. For example:

the file is the above

the documents are the above

the booking codes are the above

Reassigning Data

You can reassign a data element using the following syntax:

use <data value> as the <data name>

Examples

1. In this example, the registration date is reassigned the value 11-05-2024.

use "11-05-2024" as the registration date

1. In this example, the order name (reference) is reassigned the value of the customer's last name.

use the customer's last name as the order name