New for FME 2020.1 is data-aware transformers. When data is cached via Run with Feature Caching, the attribute values can be retrieved from within specific transformers. Retrieval of these values will prevent any data integrity issues that occur with spelling mistakes and makes the workflows faster as you don’t need to keep viewing your data to get the value you want to test for or expose. 

This feature is currently available in the Tester, TestFilter, AttributeExposer, and anywhere that test clauses are used. 

How to Use this Feature

1. Ensure that you have FME Desktop 2020.1 or later installed. Then read in your data. Run the workspace with feature caching enabled. This step is key! 

2. Add a Tester, TestFilter, AttributeExposer, or any other transformer that uses test clauses. Once connected, open the parameters. In the parameters, select the Left Value attribute. For this example, I’m using Common Name. Then select your Operator. 

To retrieve the cached attributes, click on the drop-down arrow for Right Value, then select Cached Values. If there are only a few values for the attribute, a drop-down list will be available. If there are lots of values, a popup list will appear. 

Then select the value you want to test for. 

Once the value is selected, click OK to create another test or click OK again to accept the parameters. 

3. You can continue to build your workspace as normal. To use this feature again later in the workspace, remember to run with feature caching up to the point where the transformer is about to be added.