FUME Array Functions: Technical Reference for Data Manipulation

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This document is a technical reference section from the FUME documentation, detailing array handling functions for FHIR data transformation. The core functions include: $count() (counting elements in an array), $append() (concatenating multiple arrays), $sort() (sorting arrays based on specified criteria), and $distinct() (removing duplicate values). These functions are highly valuable for data set validation and structuring processes. For instance, $count() is designed to return 1 even when given a single non-array value, demonstrating its flexibility. Furthermore, $sort() allows for complex custom sorting via a comparator function, which is crucial for maintaining data integrity. In the context of standard-based data exchange like FHIR, checking the consistency and ensuring the correct order of input data arrays are essential tasks, making these advanced array manipulation features practically valuable.