Miscellaneous Functions

See also: Expression Language and Function Index

The functions in this section are varied and have specialized applicability. Some are primarily used internally by MC to generate values available in various Library fields.

AlbumArtist(…)

Returns a file's calculated album artist.

Description	albumartist() The AlbumArtist() function calculates the album artist value used in various views and fields. It is used to populate the Library field album artist (auto) with its value. Either the field or AlbumArtist() can be used.
Examples	albumartist() Returns the value present in the album artist (auto) field. Additional Examples Describes the algorithm used by AlbumArtist() to calculate the "album artist (auto)" field's value.

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AlbumKey(…)

Returns a unique album key for a file.

Description	albumkey() The AlbumKey() function returns "[album artist (auto)] - [album]". It is a convenience function, used to return the generally unique album / artist combination string used to distinguish between two like-named albums such as "Greatest Hits".
Examples	albumkey() For an album named Greatest Hits and an album artist (auto) of The Eagles, returns The Eagles - Greatest Hits.

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AlbumType(…)

Returns the album type for a file.

Description	albumtype() The AlbumType() function returns a description regarding an album's completeness and its quantity of artists. It is used to populate the Library field album type with its value. Either the field or AlbumType() can be used.
Examples	albumtype() Returns, for example, Single artist (complete), or Multiple artists (incomplete).

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AudioAnalysisState(…)

Returns the state of audio analysis for a file.

Description

audioanalysisstate() The AudioAnalysisState() function returns a file's state of audio analysis. It can be used to determine if audio analysis (Library Tools > Analyze Audio...) should be performed on a media file. The AudioAnalysisState() function will return a string indicating the state of analysis. Possible values are currently: Needed Audio analysis is needed Done Audio analysis is complete N/A The file type does not support audio analysis Excluded (No Audio) The file type supports analysis, but contains no audio Failed on <date> Audio analysis failed on the <date> specified

Examples

audioanalysisstate() Returns, for example, Needed for files that require audio analysis, or N/A if the file type does not support audio analysis. Additional Examples Describes the improved audio analysis and R128 volume leveling feature.

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Char(…)

Returns a character from the numeric code of that character

Description	Char(Numeric Number Code) Char() has unicode support, however, only decimal values are supported. If you require a Hex to Decimal convertor, try unicode-search.net, or search for an alternative online.
Examples	Char(189) Returns ½ Char(9679) Returns ●

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Counter(…)

Counts upwards in specified increments.

Description

counter(start value, increment) The Counter() function outputs a monotonically increasing number (more simply stated, it counts) from a start value, and each time called, increases by the increment value. It is useful for sequentially numbering fields. The Counter() function maintains an internal counter, and it resets itself to zero after five seconds of inactivity. Because Counter() continues to count, it should only be used in single-use situations such as assigning its output to some field through field value assignment, for example, =counter(). With proper care, it can be used as part of an expression in the Rename, Move & Copy tool, but see also CustomData(). It is not recommended for use in any context that continually refreshes its content, such as in a panes column, file list, or expression-based custom query. Probably the best way to understand the results is to test the first example below as an expression column in a file list, and move the mouse around over that column. Argument start value is optional (defaults to 1). Argument increment is optional (defaults to 1).

Examples

counter() Outputs values starting at 1, and incrementing by one, it will return 1, 2, 3, ... until no longer called. This might be used, for example, to assign to the [Track #] field of several tracks using the field assignment expression =counter(). padnumber(counter(370, 2), 4) Outputs numbers beginning from 370, incremented by two each, and padded to four digits. For example, 0370, 0372, 0374, etc.

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CustomData(…)

Returns internal data to the expression language.

Description

customdata(mode) The CustomData() function supports returning Media Center internal data to the expression language. Currently the only supported mode provides a file's row number in a file list, which is useful in the Rename, Move & Copy tool to assist in numbering files. It can also be used in expressions in a playlist to obtain the file's sequence number. Available mode values: # Returns a file's row number in a file list

Examples

Spring_Break_Bash_padnumber(customdata(#), 4) In the Rename, Move & Copy tool, each consecutive file would be named Spring_Break_Bash_ followed by a four digit, zero-padded number starting at 0001.

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FilePlaylists()

Returns a list of playlists a file belongs to.

Description

FilePlaylists() This function returns the list of playlists a file is in separated by semi-colons.

Examples

FilePlaylists() Using this will return a list of all the playlists a file is in, separated by semi-colons. In and of itself, you might think that this is not 'all that', however, remember that we can combine this with other functions, thus giving us the ability to create expressions with playlist rules. A simple example would be: [=IsEqual(fileplaylists(),genre,8)]=1 which when used in the search bar, will return all files that appear on a playlist called 'Genre'

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Math(…)

Evaluates a given mathematical formula.

Description

math(expression) The Math() function performs mathematical calculations. Standard arithmetic operators are supported, as are various numerical, trigonometric, and comparative functions. Simple variables are supported, as are multiple statements. Arithmetic Operators + Addition - Subtraction * Multiplication / Division ^ Power % Modulo Boolean Operators ! NOT & AND | OR Grouping Operators ( ) Precedence grouping Comparison Operators } Absolute value maximum (i.e. x or y that is maximum distance from 0). { Absolute value minimum (i.e. x or y that is minimum distance from 0). > Distance between x and y, positive when x greater than y, negative otherwise. < Distance between x and y, positive when x less than y, negative otherwise. Functions abs(x) Returns the absolute value of x. sign(x) Returns the sign of x (1 when x >= 0, -1 when x < 0). log(x) Returns the natural logarithm (base e) of x. log10(x) Returns the common logarithm (base 10) of x. pow(x,y) Returns x raised to the y-th power. rand(x,y) Returns a random value ranging between x and y. randn(x) Returns a random value ranging between -x and x. Comparison Functions min(x,y) Returns the minimum value of x and y. max(x,y) Returns the maximum value of x and y. equal(x,y) Returns 1 when x = y, 0 otherwise. below(x,y) Returns 1 when x < y, 0 otherwise. above(x,y) Returns 1 when x > y, 0 otherwise. Formatting Functions int(x) Returns the integer portion of x. frac(x) Returns the fractional portion of x. round(x) Returns x rounded to the nearest whole number. trunc(x,n) Returns x truncated to n decimal places. Trigonometric Functions atan(x) Returns the arctangent of x. cos(x) Returns the cosine of x. sin(x) Returns the sine of x. tan(x) Returns the tangent of x. abscos(x) Returns the absolute value of cosine(x). abssin(x) Returns the absolute value of sin(x). The order of operator precedence is summarized as follows, from top to bottom: (   )     !     ^   *   / Left to right +   - Left to right |   & Left to right Variables may be assigned and used by specifying a simple string of letters. Examples: math(val=2) or math(x=pow(2,3)). Multiple equations may be specified, each separated by a semicolon. Expressions are evaluated left to right. The final value of the Math() function will be the result of the right-most equation. For example, the equation math(x=4; pow(2^x)) will output 16. Note: Empty fields Fields used inside of Math() are expanded (interpolated) directly. Fields with empty values may produce incomplete Math() statements. For example, if the field [number plays] is empty, an expression such as math([number plays] + 2) would be seen by Math() as + 2. This incomplete expression would produce a syntax error. See the Additional Examples for more information. Note: Locales and Commas Special care must be taken with the Math() function and locales that use , (comma) as a decimal separator. Many Media Center fields and the return values from functions may contain comma as the decimal point. Your expressions will need to Replace() these before passing the values to Math(), which always uses dot . as the numeric decimal point. For example, the expression math(1,5 + 1,5) will fail since Math() does not consider 1,5 to be a valid number. Fields that cause problems are any fields that produce floating-point values, such as any Date type field in raw format (e.g. [date,0], [last played,0], [date modified,0], and [date imported,0]), or any textual field that contains floating-point values that will be used for various calculations (e.g. any of the Dynamic Range variants). Certain functions such as Now() and ConvertTime() also return localized floating-point values. Handling this problem is not difficult. Before passing any floating point number to Math(), use Replace() first. See the examples below.

Examples

math(10 + 4) Returns 14. math(10 + 2 * 25) Returns 60, demonstrating that multiplication has higher precedence than addition. math((10 + 2) * 25) Returns 300, demonstrating that parenthesis grouping has higher precedence than multiplication. math(replace(now(), /,, .) - replace([last played,0], /,, .)) The , is replaced by a . in the output of both Now() and in the raw field value [last played,0]. Note that the comma must be escaped so that it is seen as an argument and not as an argument separator. math(replace(now() - [last layed,0], /,, .)) The same as the previous example, but is more efficient and simpler since it calls Replace() just once on the entire string to be passed to Math(). Additional Examples An explanation and some solutions for fields that evaluate to empty within Math().

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Number(…)

Returns the first number , including decimals, from a given string

Description	Number(String) Returns the first number , including decimals, from a given string. If there are other numbers along the string, these will not be returned as the function stops once it encounters and returns the first number. String can be given literally, as a library field, or combined with other expression functions.
Examples	Number(The number12 will be returned, but 13 will not) This expression will return 12 and stop. It will not see the number 13.

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Rand(…)

Returns a random number between two given numbers

Description

Rand(x, y, mode) Argument Mode is optional (defaults to 0). x = start number (can be a negative value) y = end number (can be a negative value) Available mode values: 0 Returns a random value between x and y to 15 decimal places (Default mode) 1 Returns a random value between x and y, whole numbers only. Rand() returns a random value between x and y. x and y must be numbers and can have negative values. Rand() is not recommended for use in any context that continually refreshes its content, such as in a panes column, file list, or expression-based custom query. Probably the best way to understand the results is to test the first example below as an expression column in a file list, and move the mouse around over that column.

Examples

Rand(0,1) This will return a random value between 0 and 1, to fifteen decimal places. Mode has not been specified, and so defaults to zero. Rand(-10,10,1) Mode 1 has been specified, so this will return a random, whole number value between -10 and 10.

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Range(…)

Creates a semi-colon delimited list of numbers in a field.

Description	Range(Start, Step, Count) The Range() function returns a list of semi-colon separated numbers into one field, starting at the Start number, incrementing by the Step number, producing Count numbers. Arguments Start and Step are optional (default to 0 Zero), and can be negative. Argument Count is required and must be positive.
Examples	Range(1, 1, 10) Returns 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10. Range(5, -1, 6) Returns 5; 4; 3; 2; 1; 0.

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Size(…)

Returns a file's size in a format specific to the media type.

Description	size() The Size() function returns media size information specific to the particular media type. It is used to populate the Library fields duration and dimensions with their values. Either the field or Size() can be used. Type of information reported by size for the file's media type: Audio Duration Video Duration Image Dimensions Data No information returned.
Examples	size() Returns values such as 400x225 for images, or 3:09 for audio files.

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StackCount(…)

Returns the number of files in a stack

Description

StackCount() StackCount() does not require any arguments and is used to return the number files in a stack. This is useful, for example, if you are creating custom tooltips and want that information in there or for inclusion in a view you could create to view and manage your stacks, something you might use heavily if you stack a lot of photos or regularly sync files to a handheld device using the convert format options available there. Note that some files can appear in multiple databases.

Examples

StackCount() Create a panes view where the "Set rules for file display" contains only -[Stack Top]=-1 ~d=mk and nothing else. Add categories to this view as suits, but, make the first one an expression category using the given example, and the second one, a simple expression =[stack top], which makes it possible to filter the file list by individual stacks selection. Important Note This should be considered an advanced user approach, where it is very important that you understand the differences in how Media Center behaves when stacks are either collapsed or expanded. This forum post should help in that regard.

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TrackNumber(…)

Returns a file's track # value.

Description	tracknumber() The TrackNumber() function returns a file's track #, or 0 if the no value exists. It is used to populate the Library field track # with its value. Either the field or TrackNumber() can be used.
Examples	tracknumber() Returns the value present in the track # field.

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TVInfo(…)

Miscellaneous television and other pre-formatted information.

Description

tvinfo(type) The TVInfo() function is multi-purpose, and returns a specific type of information about television recordings, programs, and pre-formatted informational strings for use in captions, thumbnails, grouping, etc. Available type values: IsProgram Returns 1 if the file is a program, 0 otherwise IsGuideProgram Returns 1 if the file is a guide program, 0 otherwise IsRecordedProgram Returns 1 if the file is a recorded program, 0 otherwise IsTVChannel Returns 1 if the selection is a TV Channel program Channel Returns the channel name associated with a given program ChannelKeywords Returns channel keywords ChannelProgramNow Returns the name of a playing TV program on a given channel, empty otherwise Date Returns a program's date DateNoTime Same as Date, but without the time. NameDisplay Returns [name]: [series] or just [name] NameDisplayWithDate NameDisplay + ([year]) Record Returns 1 if the program is scheduled to be recorded, 0 otherwise RecordMark Returns a red dot if the program is schedule to be recorded. RecordStatus Returns a string describing the record status, blank if not to be recorded. SeriesDisplay Returns [series] or [name] SeasonDisplay Returns [season] SeasonEpisode Returns [season].[episode] TimeDisplay Returns program start time (system time format), or "Showing" if program on now TimeDisplayNoOnNow TimeDisplay without on now handling SizeDisplay Returns [duration] ([file size]) or [dimensions] ([file size]) WatchedDisplay Returns Watched() information, such as No, Yes, 80%, etc. IsOnNonTopGroupedChannel Returns 1 if an EPG program is on a channel that is grouped as a non-top member, 0 otherwise. ProgramChannelNumber Returns channel number of the television channel the program is on.

Examples

tvinfo(namedisplay) Returns formatted name and series output. If the file has no [series] value, only [name] is output.

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