String Algorithm Chain (Algorithm Frameworks)

The String Algorithm Chain framework is a wrapper for multiple string algorithms to be executed consecutively as one. This can allow core algorithms or novel ones created with the Delphix Algorithm SDK to modify the input before or after a primary masking algorithm, or simply perform a few small modular masking transformations. For example, some inputs could have a very low occurrence of certain values (think a department in a company with very few members or an uncommon political affiliation), and with deterministic masking the occurrence frequency in the masked data could be used to infer the original value. An initial custom SDK algorithm or regex framework could remove or alter the occurrence frequency of these inputs and ensure that the data is masked adequately.

Error handling and fallback behaviors are left to the chained algorithms to ensure that the chain does not override configured options. Exceptions thrown by the chained algorithms will be preserved and handled by platform settings.

Up to eight algorithms can be chained, and a minimum of two. As with other chaining algorithms, an algorithm cannot be chained to itself and circular dependency is prevented at any depth.

Creating a String Algorithm Chain via UI

1. At the top right of the Algorithms page, click + Algorithm.

2. Enter an Algorithm Name.

   This MUST be unique.

3. Enter a Description.

4. Select String Algorithm Chain as the Framework Name and click Next.

5. Select the Number of Algorithms to Chain in the Input Type and select Chained Algorithms from the dropdowns. Dropdowns will contain all string algorithms provided by the engine.

6. Click Next to verify details on the Summary step.

7. Click Save

An instance of String Algorithm Chain can be created via the API by providing a list of algorithms in the order they should be applied.

{
   "algorithms":[
      {
         "name":"algorithm name 1"      },
      {
         "name":"algorithm name 2"      }
   ]
}

Validation is done to ensure the existence of the string algorithms specified, and that there are between two and eight algorithms in the list. The algorithms will be executed on the input value in the order they occur in the list.