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Engine Compatibility Mode

Due to the shift from single-threaded data processing with the original engine to multi-threaded processing with AMP, the record output order with some tools might be different than the input order when using AMP. This is one of the key differences between the engines. To help mitigate the issue of different output order in AMP, you can use Engine Compatibility Mode. This mode produces output record order as close to the original Engine as possible.

In most cases, workflow performance with the new record output order on AMP with Engine Compatibility Mode is slower than without this functionality, but still faster than with the original engine.

Enable Engine Compatibility Mode

You can enable Engine Compatibility Mode as a default for all new workflows via User Settings (when AMP engine is also enabled), or you can enable it on a per-workflow basis via the Workflow Configuration window.User Settings

Enable Engine Compatibility Mode via User Settings

To enable Engine Compatibility Mode for all new workflows (as well as any workflows where you manually enable AMP engine going forward), follow these steps:

  1. In Designer, go to Options > User Settings > Edit User Settings.

  2. On the Workflows tab of User Settings, locate the Use AMP Engine for All New Workflows as well as the Automatically enable Engine Compatibility Mode with AMP Engine Enablement checkboxes.

  3. Make your desired selections. You can check and uncheck the 2 options independently of one another.

    For example, you might want to enable AMP engine and Compatibility Mode for all new workflows. In this case, you should check both boxes. The result is...

    • All new workflows going forward use AMP engine with Compatibility Mode.

    • Going forward, in any existing workflows where you manually enable AMP engine on the workflow, Compatibility Mode is automatically enabled alongside.

    Alternatively, you might want to leave Use AMP Engine... unchecked, but you want to enable Compatibility Mode. The result is...

    • Each time you enable AMP Engine on an individual workflow, Engine Compatibility Mode is automatically enabled on that workflow.

    • All new workflows continue to use the original Engine as a default.

  4. Once you've made your selection, make sure to Save your User Settings.

Enable Engine Compatibility Mode via Workflow Configuration

To enable Engine Compatibility Mode for a specific workflow, follow these steps:

  1. With your workflow open on the Designer canvas, access the Workflow Configuration window.

  2. Navigate to the Runtime tab.

  3. Scroll to the Use AMP Engine checkbox and select it.

    • If you configured Compatibility Mode to automatically turn on when you enable AMP (see above), the Engine compatibility mode checkbox is checked by default.

    • If the Engine compatibility mode checkbox is not checked by default, you can check the box to enable it for this workflow.

Engine Compatibility Mode Record Order

Engine Compatibility Mode can affect the record order for these tools:

  • Batch Macros

  • Cross Tab

  • Data Cleansing (when removing null rows)

  • Join (Join by Specific Field)

  • Join Multiple (Join by Specific Field)

  • Multi-Row Formula (Group By)

  • Poly Build

  • Running Total (Group By)

  • Sample (Group by column)

  • Summarize (Group By)

  • Tile (Group by columns)

  • Unique