Variables in text properties are simply mixed-in with static text. Users can insert a variable in two distinct ways:
Directly type the variable with the appropriate syntax when entering the text; this requires understanding variable syntax.
Use the define text with variables property editor for locating the variable and entering its arguments; the formatted variable is automatically inserted in the text.
Most users will prefer the second method; however in both cases the final result is regular text (with variables). When the value of a text property that supports variables is needed while executing a flow, Switch scans the text for variables and replaces them by their dynamic value in the context of the current job. All text outside variables remains unchanged.
A conditional property has a Boolean result (true or false). For example, the file filtering properties on connections are conditional properties.
A variable-based conditional property is entered through a special property editor that offers a user interface to create basic comparison expressions with support for locating a variable and entering its arguments. See defining a condition with variables.
When the value of a condition with variables is needed while executing a flow, Switch replaces the variables by their dynamic value in the context of the current job and evaluates the expression.
The variable-related property editors (Defining text with variables and Defining a condition with variables) offer a mechanism to select a sample job and to display actual metadata values derived from that job while you are configuring (portions of) the property value in the editor.
The Build location path dialog offers assistance with building location paths for the variables in the Metadata group using actual metadata associated with a sample job.