4.3.3. Variable and function names in FEEL

The DMN specification limits the use of spaces in FEEL names. According to the DMN specification, names can contain multiple spaces but not two consecutive spaces.

In order to make the language easier to use and avoid common errors due to spaces, Red Hat Decision Manager removes the limitation on the use of consecutive spaces. Red Hat Decision Manager supports variable names with any number of consecutive spaces, but normalizes them into a single space. For example, the variable references First Name with one space and First Name with two spaces are both acceptable in Red Hat Decision Manager.

Red Hat Decision Manager also normalizes the use of other white spaces, like the non-breakable white space that is common in web pages, tabs, and line breaks. From a Red Hat Decision Manager FEEL engine perspective, all of these characters are normalized into a single white space before processing.