HighBond Command Language (HCL)

HighBond Command Language (HCL) is our custom Python library for domain-focused data analysis and Diligent One automation. Development of HCL is ongoing and our intention is that over time HCL will replicate many of the commands and functions available in ACLScript.

You can intermix HCL, Python, and Python libraries such as Pandas and Requests (for API calls) in the same Diligent One script in Robots. You cannot mix ACLScript and Python/HCL in the same script.

Basic Python skills are a prerequisite for working effectively with HCL. The advice for those looking to make the transition from ACLScript to Python/HCL is to take a good introductory Python course.

HCL methods

Category Usage
Data analysis methods

Perform operations on an existing HCL dataframe.

Dataframe and file methods

Manage dataframes and files in Python/HCL scripts.

HCL variables methods

Use different types of HCL variables in Python/HCL scripts.

HighBond API methods

Send a request to the HighBond API.

Data analysis methods

Perform operations on an existing HCL dataframe.

HCL method Description
append() method

Combines rows from two or more dateframes into a single dataframe by appending one dateframe to the bottom of another dataframe.

benford() method

Counts the number of times each leading digit (1–9), or leading digit combination, occurs in a numeric column, and compares the actual count to the expected count. The expected count is calculated using the Benford formula.

count() method

Counts the number of rows in a dataframe.

duplicates() method

Detects whether duplicate values or entire duplicate rows exist in a dataframe.

extract() method

Extracts columns from a dataframe to a new dataframe.

head() method

Returns a specified number of rows from the top of a dataframe.

join() method

Based on a common key, combines columns from two dataframes into a single dataframe.

outliers() method

Identifies statistical outliers in a numeric column. Outliers can be identified for the column as a whole, or for separate groups based on identical values in one or more key columns.

rename() method

Renames one or more columns in a dataframe.

select() method

Selects the specified columns in a dataframe for inclusion in a new dataframe.

sort() method

Sorts rows in a dataframe into an ascending or descending sequential order, based on a specified key column or columns.

summarize() method

Groups rows in a dataframe based on identical values in one or more columns. Counts the number of rows in each group, and also subtotals specified numeric columns for each group.

Dataframe and file methods

Manage dataframes and files in Python/HCL scripts.

HCL method Description
read_csv() method

Reads a comma separated values file (*.csv) or a text file (*.txt) to an HCL dataframe.

from_pandas() method

Converts a Pandas dataframe or a Pandas series to an HCL dataframe.

to_pandas() method

Converts an HCL dataframe to a Pandas dataframe.

save_result_file() method

Saves a result file output by a Python/HCL script during a task run.

save_working_file() method

Saves a file produced by a Python/HCL script to the Working data area where it is stored for future use, or for historical purposes.

load_working_file() method

Loads a working file from the Working data area to make the file available for Python/HCL scripting. The loaded file is a copy, not the original.

from_hb_results() method

Imports a Results table to an HCL dataframe.

to_hb_results() method

Saves an HCL dataframe to a Results table.

publish() method

Saves a Pandas or HCL dataframe to an Activity Center dataset.

HCL variables methods

Use different types of HCL variables in Python/HCL scripts.

HCL method Description
secret[] method

Returns the value of an HCL password variable.

system_variable[] method

Returns the value of an HCL system variable.

variable[] method

Returns the value of an HCL character variable.

HighBond API methods

Send a request to the HighBond API.

HCL method Description
api_delete() method

Sends a DELETE request to the HighBond API.

api_get() method

Sends a GET request to the HighBond API.

api_patch() method

Sends a PATCH request to the HighBond API.

api_post() method

Sends a POST request to the HighBond API.

api_put() method

Sends a PUT request to the HighBond API.