Utils

(utils)

Overview

The Utils scripting object provides a range of utility methods for data transformation, formatting, and validation. It includes functionality for handling Base64 encoding and decoding, byte array manipulation, and string transformations such as escaping markup, formatting, and hashing. This makes it a versatile tool for managing data in different formats.

Key methods include base64ToBytes, which converts Base64-encoded strings to byte arrays, and bytesToBase64, which performs the reverse operation. The dateFormat method allows dates to be formatted based on specified patterns, with support for custom timezones and locales. Similarly, numberFormat enables precise number formatting, including locale-specific options.

Advanced string operations such as stringReplace, stringFormat, and stringTrim are complemented by security-focused methods like stringMD5HashBase16 and stringPBKDF2Hash, providing robust options for hashing and validation. For example, validatePBKDF2Hash ensures that a given password matches a hash, supporting modern cryptographic standards like SHA256.

The object also facilitates Unicode character conversion, checks for related records using hasRecords, and parses strings into date objects with parseDate, offering rich functionality for varied use cases.

Methods Summarized

Type
Name
Summary

Return the byte array representation of the Base64 value

Return the String representation of the Base64 value

Return the Base64 value representation of the byteArray

Return the string conversion of the byteArray

Creates a large number from a string, use this if you want to create numbers that are larger the a Double floating point number, So if you want to keep precision exactly correct without any rounding, or you want to hold very large numbers that can't be hold correctly in a double you can use this method.

Format a date object to a text representation.

Format a date object to a text representation using the format and timezone given.

Format a date object to a text representation.

Format a date object to a text representation using the format, timezone, language and country given.

Returns a string containing the character for the unicode number.

Returns true if the (related)foundset exists and has records.

Returns true if the (related)foundset exists and has records.

Returns true when Monday is the first day of the week for your current locale setting.

Format a number to have a defined fraction.

Format a number to have a defined fraction.

Format a number to specification.

Parse a string to a date object.

Parse a string to a date object.

Parse a string to a date object.

Returns the escaped markup text (HTML/XML).

Returns the escaped markup text (HTML/XML).

Formats a string according to format specifiers and arguments.

Format a string using mask.

Replaces a portion of a string with replacement text from a specified index.

Returns all words starting with capital chars.

Returns a string with the requested number of characters, starting from the left.

Returns the number of words, starting from the left.

Returns the md5 hash (encoded as base16) for specified text.

Returns the md5 hash (encoded as base64) for specified text.

Returns a substring from the original string.

Returns a substring from the original string.

Returns the PBKDF2 hash for specified text.

Returns the PBKDF2 hash for specified text.

Returns the number of times searchString appears in textString.

Returns the position of the string to search for, from a certain start position and occurrence.

Replaces a portion of a string with replacement text.

Returns the text with %%tags%% replaced, based on provided record or foundset or form.

Returns a string with the requested number of characters, starting from the right.

Returns the number of words, starting from the right.

Return the Base64 representation of the string

Return the byte array representation of the string

Filters characters out of from a string and leaves digits, returns the number.

Filters characters out of from a string and leaves digits, returns the number.

Returns the string without leading or trailing spaces.

Returns the number of words in the text string.

Returns a datestamp from the timestamp (sets hours,minutes,seconds and milliseconds to 0).

Validates the given password against the given hash.

Methods Detailed

base64ToBytes(base64String:)

Return the byte array representation of the Base64 value

Parameters

  • Object base64String: the Base64 encoded string to convert to byte array

Returns: Array byteArray representation of the base64 string using UTF-8 charset for conversion

Sample

base64ToString(base64String:)

Return the String representation of the Base64 value

Parameters

  • Object base64String: the Base64 value to convert to String

Returns: String String decoded representation of the Base64 value using UTF-8 charset for conversion

Sample

bytesToBase64(byteArray:)

Return the Base64 value representation of the byteArray

Parameters

  • Object byteArray: the byte array to convert to Base64 value

Returns: String Base64 representation of the byte array using UTF-8 charset for conversion

Sample

bytesToHex(bytearray)

Parameters

  • Array bytearray the byte array to convert to hex encoded string

Returns: String returns hex encoded string from bytearray

Sample

bytesToString(byteArray:)

Return the string conversion of the byteArray

Parameters

  • Object byteArray: the byte array to convert to

Returns: String string representation of the byte array using UTF-8 charset for conversion

Sample

createLargeNumber(value)

Creates a large number from a string, use this if you want to create numbers that are larger the a Double floating point number, So if you want to keep precision exactly correct without any rounding, or you want to hold very large numbers that can't be hold correctly in a double you can use this method.

Parameters

  • String value the string literal that represents the number

Returns: Number the resulting number as a java BigDecimal

Sample

dateFormat(date, format)

Parameters

  • Date date the date

  • String format the format to output

Returns: String the date as text

Sample

dateFormat(date, format, timezone)

Parameters

  • Date date the date

  • String format the format to output

  • String timezone The timezone string to use to parse the date (like GMT+3), if null then the timezone of the current client is used.

Returns: String the date as text

Sample

dateFormat(date, format, language, country)

Parameters

  • Date date the date

  • String format the format to output

  • String language language used to create locale

  • String country country used along side language to create the locale

Returns: String the date as text

Sample

dateFormat(date, format, timezone, language, country)

Parameters

  • Date date the date

  • String format the format to output

  • String timezone the timezone to use the format, if null then current client timezone is used.

  • String language language used to create locale

  • String country country used along side language to create the locale

Returns: String the date as text

Sample

getUnicodeCharacter(unicodeCharacterNumber)

Returns a string containing the character for the unicode number.

Parameters

  • Number unicodeCharacterNumber the number indicating the unicode character

Returns: String a string containing the unicode character

Sample

hasRecords(foundset)

Returns true if the (related)foundset exists and has records. Another use is, to pass a record and qualified relations string to test multiple relations/foundset at once

Parameters

Returns: Boolean true if exists

Sample

hasRecords(record, relationString)

Returns true if the (related)foundset exists and has records. Another use is, to pass a record and qualified relations string to test multiple relations/foundset at once

Parameters

  • JSRecord record A JSRecord to test.

  • String relationString The relation name.

Returns: Boolean true if the foundset/relation has records.

Sample

hexToBytes(hex)

Parameters

  • String hex hex encoded string to be decoded into a byte array.

Returns: Array a byte array from hex encoded string

Sample

hexToString(hex)

Parameters

Returns: String returns decoded string from hex

Sample

isMondayFirstDayOfWeek()

Returns true when Monday is the first day of the week for your current locale setting.

Returns: Boolean true if Monday is first day of the week in current locale

Sample

numberFormat(number, digits)

Format a number to have a defined fraction.

Parameters

  • Number number the number to format

  • Number digits nr of digits

Returns: String the resulting number in text

Sample

numberFormat(number, digits, language, country)

Format a number to have a defined fraction.

Parameters

  • Number number the number to format

  • Number digits nr of digits

  • String language language used to create locale

  • String country country used along side language to create the locale

Returns: String the resulting number in text

Sample

numberFormat(number, format)

Format a number to specification.

Parameters

Returns: String the resulting number in text

Sample

numberFormat(number, format, language, country)

Format a number to specification.

Parameters

  • Number number the number to format

  • String format the format

  • String language language used to create locale

  • String country country used along side language to create the locale

Returns: String the resulting number in text

Sample

parseDate(date, format)

Parse a string to a date object. This parses the date using the TimeZone of the server Format can be a string like: 'dd-MM-yyyy' , 'dd-MM-yyyy HH:mm' , 'MM/dd/yyyy', 'MM/dd/yyyy hh:mm aa', 'dd.MM.yyyy'

Parameters

  • String date the date as text

  • String format the format to parse the date

Returns: Date the date as date object

Sample

parseDate(date, format, timezone)

Parse a string to a date object. Using the timezone that is given, if null then it formats it with the clients timezone.

see i18n.getAvailableTimeZoneIDs() to get a timezone string that can be used.

Format can be a string like: 'dd-MM-yyyy' , 'dd-MM-yyyy HH:mm' , 'MM/dd/yyyy', 'MM/dd/yyyy hh:mm aa', 'dd.MM.yyyy'

Parameters

  • String date the date as text

  • String format the format to parse the date

  • String timezone The timezone string to use to parse the date (like GMT+3)

Returns: Date the date as date object

Sample

parseDate(date, format, language, country)

Parse a string to a date object. Using language and country that are given, if null then it formats it with the locale of the client

Format can be a string like: 'dd-MM-yyyy' , 'dd-MM-yyyy HH:mm' , 'MM/dd/yyyy', 'MM/dd/yyyy hh:mm aa', 'dd.MM.yyyy'

Parameters

  • String date the date as text

  • String format the format to parse the date

  • String language language used to create locale

  • String country country used along side language to create the locale

Returns: Date the date as date object

Sample

parseDate(date, format, timezone, language, country)

Parse a string to a date object. Using the timezone, language and country that are given, if null then it formats it with the timezone and locale of the client

see i18n.getAvailableTimeZoneIDs() to get a timezone string that can be used.

Format can be a string like: 'dd-MM-yyyy' , 'dd-MM-yyyy HH:mm' , 'MM/dd/yyyy', 'MM/dd/yyyy hh:mm aa', 'dd.MM.yyyy'

Parameters

  • String date the date as text

  • String format the format to parse the date

  • String timezone The timezone string to use to parse the date (like GMT+3)

  • String language language used to create locale

  • String country country used along side language to create the locale

Returns: Date the date as date object

Sample

stringEscapeMarkup(textString)

Returns the escaped markup text (HTML/XML).

Parameters

  • String textString the text to process

Returns: String the escaped text

Sample

stringEscapeMarkup(textString, escapeSpaces)

Returns the escaped markup text (HTML/XML).

Parameters

  • String textString the text to process

  • Boolean escapeSpaces indicating to escape spaces

Returns: String the escaped text

Sample

stringEscapeMarkup(textString, escapeSpaces, convertToHtmlUnicodeEscapes)

Returns the escaped markup text (HTML/XML).

Parameters

  • String textString the text to process

  • Boolean escapeSpaces indicating to escape spaces

  • Boolean convertToHtmlUnicodeEscapes indicating to use unicode escapes

Returns: String the escaped text

Sample

stringFormat(text_to_format, parameters)

Formats a string according to format specifiers and arguments.

Parameters

  • String text_to_format the text to format

  • Array parameters the array with parameters

Returns: String the formatted text

Sample

stringFormat(text, format)

Format a string using mask.

Parameters

Returns: String the resulting text

Sample

stringIndexReplace(text, i_start, i_size, replacement_text)

Replaces a portion of a string with replacement text from a specified index.

Parameters

  • String text the text to process

  • Number i_start the start index to work from

  • Number i_size the size of the text to replace

  • String replacement_text the replacement text

Returns: String the changed text string

Sample

stringInitCap(text)

Returns all words starting with capital chars.

Parameters

  • String text the text to process

Returns: String the changed text

Sample

stringLeft(text, i_size)

Returns a string with the requested number of characters, starting from the left.

Parameters

  • String text the text to process

  • Number i_size the size of the text to return

Returns: String the result text string

Sample

stringLeftWords(text, numberof_words)

Returns the number of words, starting from the left.

Parameters

Returns: String the string with number of words form the left

Sample

stringMD5HashBase16(textString)

Returns the md5 hash (encoded as base16) for specified text.

NOTE: MD5 (Message-Digest Algorythm 5) is a hash function with a 128-bit hash value, for more info see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MD5

Parameters

  • String textString the text to process

Returns: String the resulting hashString

Sample

stringMD5HashBase64(textString)

Returns the md5 hash (encoded as base64) for specified text.

NOTE: MD5 (Message-Digest Algorythm 5) is a hash function with a 128-bit hash value, for more info see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MD5

Parameters

  • String textString the text to process

Returns: String the resulting hashString

Sample

stringMiddle(text, i_start, i_size)

Returns a substring from the original string.

Parameters

  • String text the text to process

  • Number i_start the start index to work from

  • Number i_size the size of the text to return

Returns: String the result text string

Sample

stringMiddleWords(text, i_start, numberof_words)

Returns a substring from the original string.

Parameters

  • String text to process

  • Number i_start start word index

  • Number numberof_words the word count to return

Returns: String the string with number of words form the left and

Sample

stringPBKDF2Hash(textString)

Returns the PBKDF2 hash for specified text. This method is preferred above the old MD5 hash for enhanced security. It uses a default of 9999 iterations. The string that is returned can only be used in the utils.validatePBKDF2Hash(password,thisReturnValue) to check if this hash is a result of that password. This will always be false: utils.stringPBKDF2Hash("test") == utils.stringPBKDF2Hash("test"). Because for the same string in multiply calls it will not generate the same hash. So you can only check it like this: utils.validatePBKDF2Hash("test",utils.stringPBKDF2Hash("test"))

NOTE: PBKDF2 is the key hash function for the PKCS (Public-Key Cryptography) standard, for more info see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PBKDF2

Parameters

  • String textString the text to process

Returns: String the resulting hashString

Sample

stringPBKDF2Hash(textString, iterations)

Returns the PBKDF2 hash for specified text. This method is preferred above the old MD5 hash for enhanced security. From Servoy 2024.3.1 on this method will use SHA256 (HmacSHA256) as the Hash Algorithm. Before that it did use SHA1 (HmacSHA1) as the Hash Algorithm, this does result in the a different length of the hash. The total hash length (including interations of 9999) for SHA256 is 87 that was 63. So you need to make sure you can store at least 87 characters in your database. (but make sure you can handle more for future updates)

NOTE: PBKDF2 is the key hash function for the PKCS (Public-Key Cryptography) standard, for more info see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PBKDF2

Parameters

  • String textString the text to process

  • Number iterations how many hash iterations should be done, minimum should be 1000 or higher.

Returns: String the resulting hashString

Sample

stringPatternCount(text, toSearchFor)

Returns the number of times searchString appears in textString.

Parameters

  • String text the text to process

  • String toSearchFor the string to search for

Returns: Number the occurrenceCount that the search string is found in the text

Sample

stringPosition(textString, toSearchFor, i_start, i_occurrence)

Returns the position of the string to search for, from a certain start position and occurrence.

Parameters

  • String textString the text to process

  • String toSearchFor the string to search

  • Number i_start the start index to search from

  • Number i_occurrence the occurrence

Returns: Number the position

Sample

stringReplace(text, search_text, replacement_text)

Replaces a portion of a string with replacement text.

Parameters

  • String text the text to process

  • String search_text the string to search

  • String replacement_text the replacement text

Returns: String the changed text string

Sample

stringReplaceTags(text, scriptable)

Returns the text with %%tags%% replaced, based on provided record or foundset or form.

Parameters

  • String text the text tags to work with

  • Object scriptable the javascript object or foundset,record,form to be used to fill in the tags

Returns: String the text with replaced tags

Sample

stringRight(text, i_size)

Returns a string with the requested number of characters, starting from the right.

Parameters

  • String text the text to process

  • Number i_size the size of the text to return

Returns: String the result text string

Sample

stringRightWords(text, numberof_words)

Returns the number of words, starting from the right.

Parameters

Returns: String the string with number of words form the right

Sample

stringToBase64(string:)

Return the Base64 representation of the string

Parameters

  • Object string: the string to convert to Base64

Returns: String Base64 encoded representation of the string using UTF-8 charset for conversion

Sample

stringToBytes(string:)

Return the byte array representation of the string

Parameters

  • Object string: the string to convert to bytes

Returns: Array byte array representation of the string using UTF-8 charset for conversion

Sample

stringToHex(string)

Parameters

  • String string String to be encoded into hex

Returns: String returns hex encoded string

Sample

stringToNumber(textString)

Filters characters out of from a string and leaves digits, returns the number. Uses locale decimal separator.

Parameters

  • String textString the text to process

Returns: Number the resulting number

Sample

stringToNumber(textString, decimalSeparator)

Filters characters out of from a string and leaves digits, returns the number. Decimal separator is specified as parameter.

Parameters

  • String textString the text to process

  • String decimalSeparator decimal separator

Returns: Number the resulting number

Sample

stringTrim(textString)

Returns the string without leading or trailing spaces.

Parameters

  • String textString the text to process

Returns: String the resulting trimmed string

Sample

stringWordCount(text)

Returns the number of words in the text string.

Parameters

  • String text the text to process

Returns: Number the word count

Sample

timestampToDate(date)

Returns a datestamp from the timestamp (sets hours,minutes,seconds and milliseconds to 0).

Parameters

  • Date date object to be stripped from its time elements

Returns: Date the stripped date object

Sample

validatePBKDF2Hash(password, hash)

Validates the given password against the given hash. The hash should be generated by one of the stringPBKDF2Hash(password [,iteration]) functions. If hash is null or empty string the method will return false. This method can handle the older generated hash values based on SHA1 (HmacSHA1) and the new SHA256 (HmacSHA256) hash values.

NOTE: PBKDF2 is the key hash function for the PKCS (Public-Key Cryptography) standard, for more info see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PBKDF2

Parameters

  • String password the password to test against

  • String hash the hash the password needs to validate to.

Returns: Boolean true if his hash is valid for that password

Sample


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