Context Substitution Variables (CSV) and Query Macros are variables that can be used within IFS Applications in place of actual user input. For an example if you need to type in today's date into a date field when querying or ordering a report, instead of typing "3/20/2007", you could type "#TODAY#", and the framework will evaluate the date for you. That query can be then saved and reused without the need to change the entered date.
The use of Context Substitution Variables and Query Macros allows the ability to reuse configuration in default profiles for multiple users, and over a long period of time. For an example, the end user can save a query for Customer Orders for which the wanted delivery time is due TODAY.
The difference between Query Macros and CSV's is that Query Macros can only be used in search dialog. For an example, you can save a search for Customer Orders for which the wanted delivery time is due THIS_WEEK. This saved query can be used forever.
In most places where the Context Substitution Variables can be used, the list of all valid CSVs will be available in a drop-down. Those can be recognized by the hash (#) marks surrounding them. If you need to enter a CSV by hand, you have to remember to surround it by the hash (#) marks by yourself.
| CSV Name | Description | Sample Values |
| USER_DIRECTORY_ID | Directory ID of the logged in user. | ALEX |
| USER_EMAIL | Email address of the logged in user. | alex@ifsworld.com |
| USER_ID | Logged in user ID. | ALEX |
| USER_LANGUAGE | Language currently in use by the logged in user. | en |
| YESTERDAY | Date & Time range beginning from the start of yesterday till the end of yesterday. | 2006-10-02-00.00.00 |
| START_OF_LAST_WEEK | Date & Time value of the start of last week. | 2006-09-24-00.00.00 |
| END_OF_LAST_WEEK | Date & Time value of the end of last week. | 2006-09-30-23.59.59 |
| START_OF_LAST_MONTH | Date & Time value of the start of last month. | 2006-09-01-00.00.00 |
| END_OF_LAST_MONTH | Date & Time value of the end of last month. | 2006-09-30-23.59.59 |
| START_OF_LAST_YEAR | Date & Time value of the start of last year. | 2005-01-01-00.00.00 |
| END_OF_LAST_YEAR | Date & Time value of the end of last year. | 2005-12-31-23.59.59 |
| TODAY | Date & Time range beginning from the start of today till the end of today. | 2006-10-03-00.00.00 |
| START_OF_THIS_WEEK | Date & Time value of the start of this week. | 2006-10-01-00.00.00 |
| END_OF_THIS_WEEK | Date & Time value of the end of this week. | 2006-10-07-23.59.59 |
| START_OF_THIS_MONTH | Date & Time value of the start of this month. | 2006-10-01-00.00.00 |
| END_OF_THIS_MONTH | Date & Time value of the end of this month. | 2006-10-31-23.59.59 |
| START_OF_THIS_YEAR | Date & Time value of the start of this year. | 2006-01-01-00.00.00 |
| END_OF_THIS_YEAR | Date & Time value of the end of this year. | 2006-12-31-23.59.59 |
| TOMORROW | Date & Time range beginning from the start of tomorrow till the end of tomorrow. | 2006-10-04-00.00.00 |
| START_OF_NEXT_WEEK | Date & Time value of the start of next week. | 2006-10-08-00.00.00 |
| END_OF_NEXT_WEEK | Date & Time value of the end of next week. | 2006-10-14-23.59.59 |
| START_OF_NEXT_MONTH | Date & Time value of the start of next month. | 2006-11-01-00.00.00 |
| END_OF_NEXT_MONTH | Date & Time value of the end of next month. | 2006-11-30-23.59.59 |
| START_OF_NEXT_YEAR | Date & Time value of the start of next year. | 2007-01-01-00.00.00 |
| END_OF_NEXT_YEAR | Date & Time value of the end of next year. | 2007-12-31-23.59.59 |
| DEFAULT_COMPANY | String value of the standard company | |
| PERSON_ID | String value of the personal identification of a person | |
| PERSON_NAME | String value of the name | |
| USER_DIRECTORY_ID | String value of the directory ID using either the form <Domain>\<Username> or <Username> | EUROPE\GBGKURS or GBGKURS |
| USER_EMAIL | String value of the user email address | |
| USER_ID | String value of the user ID | |
| USER_LANGUAGE | String value of the user language |
| LAST_WEEK | THIS_WEEK | NEXT_WEEK |
| LAST_MONTH | THIS_MONTH | NEXT_MONTH |
| LAST_YEAR | THIS_YEAR | NEXT_YEAR |