**AMPSCRIPT**

[PART-1]
Ques:1 What is Amp Script?

Amp Script an extensive scripting language for Salesforce Marketing Cloud that enables
highly sophisticated personalization, while also integrating with CRM platforms and
external data sources.
AMPscript is a server-side scripting language used in platforms like Salesforce
Marketing Cloud to personalize content in emails, web pages, SMS, or push messages.

Here’s a simpler breakdown:

 AMPscript can go anywhere: You can include AMPscript code in your emails,
web pages, or messages. It will be processed on the server before being sent
out.
 AMPscript is interpreted, not compiled: This means the system reads and
executes the AMPscript code exactly as it appears, step-by-step. So, if you're
using AMPscript to display personalized information, you need to place it in the
right spot where that information should show up.

Ques:2 What is Amp Script Syntax?

 AMPscript is enclosed in double percentage signs %%.

 To use AMPscript blocks (longer pieces of code), you wrap them with [ ].

 For inline AMPscript (shorter, one-liner code), you use = inside %%.
Matching open and close tags: You must always make sure that the opening %%
and closing %% (or brackets []) match. Otherwise, the code will be ignored.

Ques:3 What is Amp Script Blocks and Inline AmpScricpt and how both are
different with each other?

AMPscript Blocks:

 What it is: AMPscript blocks are used to write longer pieces of code. This code
runs on the server but does not show up directly in the email or page where
the code is written.
 When it shows output: Normally, you don't see anything from an AMPscript
block in the message, but there are exceptions. You can use special functions
 like Output and OutputLine to display the results of the code at the location
where the block appears.
Inline AMPscript:
 What it is: Inline AMPscript is a shorter, simpler way to add AMPscript directly
within the content (email, webpage, etc.). You use it when you want to include a
single function that performs a task and immediately shows the result in the
message.
 When it shows output: The output of the function appears directly where you
write the inline AMPscript code. This means the result is part of the email or
webpage content.
 Nested functions: Inline AMPscript does allow you to use nested functions
(functions inside other functions).
Key Differences:

1. Length of Code:

o AMPscript Block: Best for longer, more complex scripts.

o Inline AMPscript: Used for simpler, one-function code.

2. Display of Output:

o AMPscript Block: Normally, no output is shown unless you specifically

use functions like Output or OutputLine to display something.

o Inline AMPscript: The output is shown immediately where the code is

written.

3. Functions:

o AMPscript Block: Can contain multiple lines of code with different

functions.
o Inline AMPscript: Usually contains just one function, but you can nest
functions inside it.
Example:

 AMPscript Block (does not show output unless specified):

%%[

SET @name = "John"

SET @greeting = CONCAT("Hello, ", @name)

 ]%%

 Inline AMPscript (shows output directly):

%%=CONCAT("Hello, ", "John")=%%

AMPscript Blocks are for larger scripts and don’t display anything unless you tell them
to.
Inline AMPscript is for small, single functions where the result shows up directly in the
content.
Ques:4 What is Tag based Syntax in Amp Script?

Instead of using the usual AMPscript block syntax with %%, you can also use an
HTML script tag to write AMPscript code. This method is helpful if you're working with
both AMPscript and Server-Side JavaScript (SSJS) together. It provides a more
uniform way to write server-side code.
Key Points:

 Using the HTML script tag: You can wrap AMPscript code inside an HTML
<script> tag to write your server-side code.
 Important attributes:

o runat="server": Tells the system to process the code on the server, not
on the user’s browser.
o language="ampscript": Specifies that the code inside the script tag is
AMPscript.

Example:

Why Use This?

  This method makes it easier to work with both AMPscript and JavaScript in the
same environment.

 It’s a more consistent way to write server-side code when you need both
languages.
In Simple Terms:

You can use the <script> tag with runat="server" and language="ampscript" to write
AMPscript in a way that's similar to how you write JavaScript. This is useful when
working with both AMPscript and JavaScript together in the same file.

Ques:5 What is Functions in Amp Script?

In programming, a function is a named block of code that takes input (called

arguments), performs a task, and gives back an output.
In AMPscript, functions are predefined and focus on tasks like displaying or modifying
customer data and marketing content. Unlike some languages that allow you to create
custom functions, AMPscript provides a set of built-in functions.
AMPscript functions are pure functions, meaning they only depend on the input
provided and return a result without affecting anything else in the code. This makes
them easy to move around and use in different parts of the code, providing flexibility and
simplicity.
Ques:6 What is AMP script and Excel in Amp Script?

AMPscript functions work similarly to functions in Excel. Both use parameters (inputs)
to perform tasks and return a result. Some AMPscript functions are almost identical to
Excel functions, just with different names. They take the same inputs and give the same
outputs.
Example:

Excel SUM function: =SUM(1,2)

AMPscript Add function: %%=Add (1,2)=%%

Both of these will give the result 3.

Common Excel vs AMPscript Functions:

Ques:7 Variables in Amp Script?

AMPscript variables are like labeled containers where you store values (like numbers or
text) that you can use later in your code. Here’s a breakdown:
1. Naming Variables:

o Variable names must start with @, be without spaces, and can include
letters, numbers, and underscores.

o Example: @firstName, @lastName.

2. Declaring Variables:

o Before using a variable, you declare it with the var keyword. This just tells
AMPscript that you plan to use that variable.

o Example: var @firstName, @lastName.

3. Setting Variables:

o After declaring, you set the variable to a value using set. You can set
variables to a constant, function, or personalization string.
 o Example: set @firstName = 'John'.

4. Scope:

o Variables are globally available after being set, meaning you can use them
later in your code.

o Example: set @firstName = 'John' can be used in later parts of your code.
In other words
o Once a variable is set, its scope is set globally; that is, it can be
referenced later in the code to display the output, or used in conditional
expressions. However, variables can also be changed after they have
been set. For example, a promotion end date is set from a field in a
Sendable Data Extension using a personalization string, but for specific
customers, there is a requirement to adjust this value later in the code:

o Variables can also be set on themselves in a function; that is, if the

variable has previously been declared, then it can be used as an
argument to a function, based on its previous value. So the above code
 could also be expressed as:

o Also, once a variable has been set, it can be reset by declaring the value
again. In the example below, if the current date is less than (after) a
membership end date, then a null value will be set for membership status.

5. Order of Operations:

o AMPscript runs from top to bottom, so declare and set variables before
using them.
6. Using Variables:

Variables aren’t required in AMPscript. It’s possible to achieve the same result by
just using functions, conditional statements and operators. However, without
variables:

o Variables make your code cleaner and more efficient, avoiding repetition.

o Example: Storing a member's points balance in a variable helps you avoid

querying it multiple times.
 o

By using variables, your AMPscript becomes more readable, maintainable, and faster.
Ques:8 comments in Amp Script?

In AMPscript, comments are used to add notes or explanations in your code. They are
ignored by the system and do not affect the code's execution.
 Single-line comments: Start with /* and end with */, and are used for brief notes.

 Multi-line comments: Can span across multiple lines between /* and */.

Ques:9 Function Calls in Amp Script?

In AMPscript, function calls are used to execute predefined actions or calculations in

your code.
 Function calls can be written either inside an AMPscript block or inline within
your HTML content.

 You can spread function calls across multiple AMPscript blocks. For example,
one block can set a variable, and another block can use that variable in a
condition.
Example:

 You might set a variable in one block:


 

Ques:10 Function Calls in Amp Script?

In AMPscript, constants are values that don’t change. These values can be:

1. Numeric Constants: Numbers (can be positive or negative) and can have

decimal points.
o Example: set @discountAmount = -10.50
2. String Constants: Text values enclosed in quotes (either single or double).
o Example: set @statusTier = "Gold"
o If your text has quotes inside it, you can use the opposite type of quote to
avoid confusion.
o Example: set @bonusProduct = 'Our "Uber" Umbrella'
3. Boolean Constants: These represent true or false values, and they are not
case-sensitive.
o Example: set @freeShipping = true

Constants help you define fixed values in your code, like numbers, text, or true/false
values.

Ques:11 Attributes, Statements & Comparison Operators in Amp Script?

Attributes:

In AMPscript, you can use attributes and personalization strings to customize

content, like including user details from a data source. If an attribute contains spaces or
hyphens, it must be enclosed in brackets.
Example:
  For an attribute like First Name, you would use it in AMPscript as
AttributeValue('First Name').
Statements:

 The if statement allows you to run certain code only if a condition is true.

 A basic if statement has:

1. if to start.

2. then to indicate the action.

3. endif to close.

Example:

Comparison Oprators:

These are used to compare values. The result is true or false.

 ==: Equal to

 !=: Not equal to

 >: Greater than

 <: Less than

 >=: Greater than or equal to

 <=: Less than or equal to

Example:

Comparison operators help you check conditions (like if someone's age is above 18) to
control what happens in your code.
Ques:12 Logical Operators in Amp Script?
Logical operators, like "or" and "and," allow you to combine multiple conditions in a
statement.
 "or" means that at least one of the conditions must be true.

 "and" means that all conditions must be true.

For example, in AMPscript (used in email personalization), if you want to check if a user
is either a subscriber or has a specific product, you would use "||" for "or" and "&&" for
"and."

 || (or): At least one condition is true.

 && (and): All conditions must be true.

Ques:13 Controlling Expression Evaluation in Amp Script?

In AMPscript, you can use parentheses to control the order in which conditions are
checked.
 Without parentheses: The conditions are evaluated in the default order, which
might not give the result you want. For example, in Example 1, the condition
checks if the status is Bronze OR if the status is Silver AND the amount is
over $500. This could lead to incorrect results because the "and" condition gets
higher priority than "or".
 With parentheses: You can group conditions to make sure they are evaluated in
the order you want. In Example 2, if you put parentheses around the Bronze or
Silver part, the script will first check if the status is either Bronze or Silver, then
check if the amount is over $500. This ensures the conditions are evaluated
correctly.
So, using parentheses ensures the correct logic is followed when multiple conditions are
involved.
Ques:14 Not Operator, Process loops , Dynamic link tracking in Amp Script?

Not Operator
The Not operator in AMPscript reverses the logic of a condition. If a condition is true, it
turns it into false, and vice versa.
 Example 1:
In the code, it checks if the user is a "Gold" member and if their amount is not
greater than 100. Since the amount is 125, it doesn't qualify, so the output is:
"You do not qualify for free shipping."
  Example 2:
If a FirstName is available, it shows the name. If it's empty, it shows "Member."
"Dear Member," will be shown if the FirstName is empty.

Process Loops

A process loop repeats a block of code multiple times, with a counter tracking how
many times the loop runs.

 You define:
o Counter (e.g., a variable like @i)

o Starting index (e.g., 1)

o Ending index (e.g., 5)

o Direction (increase or decrease)

 Example: A loop that runs from 1 to 5 and performs actions in each iteration.

 You use it to, for example, retrieve multiple items from a Data Extension, like
order details.
Dynamic Link Tracking
AMPscript allows dynamic values (like a country) to be added to links in emails. These
dynamic values track engagement and can be personalized per subscriber.
 Example: The country of the subscriber is inserted into a link, and email click
engagement is tracked based on this value.
%%=Lookup('Members','Country','Subscriber Key', _subscriberKey)=%% gets
the country.
 Note: There’s a limit of 100 unique dynamic values for tracking.

Ques:15 Execution Context, Script Blocks in Amp Script?

The execution context refers to the state of a web page, such as whether it's being
loaded for the first time (load) or if a form has been submitted (post).

 The variable @@ExecCtx helps detect this state, but in the current version of
Marketing Cloud, it always returns "load", no matter if the page is being loaded
or if a form is submitted.

 This is a known issue, and it’s expected to be fixed in the future.

Script Blocks

Script blocks can also be included within code blocks to whether the containing code
should be interpreted. Two attributes can be included in a script block: name and type.

Example 1

In the example below, the HTTPGet function will only be executed if the execution
context is ‘post’.