What is Deluge

Deluge or Data Enriched Language for the Universal Grid Environment is an online scripting language integrated with Zoho services like Zoho CRM, Zoho Creator, Zoho Desk, Zoho Books, and many others. With Deluge, you do not need to stress over handling records in a database. Instead, Deluge makes manipulating and querying database super easy.

It enables you to create simple automation to solve business logic. You can take it to an extent where you build an entire application from the scratch. However, it is not that difficult as it sounds, with Deluge. The Deluge Editor provisions simple drag-and-drop user interface and auto-completion which lets you write code without having to remember the syntax and functions.

If you want to pull records from Zoho CRM while you handle support tickets in Zoho Desk. Or, if you want to update invoices according to the records in Zoho Books, Deluge is what you've been looking for. Because, Deluge makes integration between products quite simple.

Features

• User-friendly Syntax
  Deluge provides simple syntaxes that let you understand and use them better. It ensures systematic syntaxes reducing the burden of memorizing them. Also, the Deluge editor supports drag-and-drop user interface and auto-completion which helps you concentrate only on the logic on which you are working and not the syntax.

• Query Integrated Language
  Automating data management tasks can be achieved easily on scripting with Deluge. You do not need an additional query language to inquire and extract data from the database. Instead, the scripting language itself takes care of it as query is integrated at the language level.

• Connections and Invoke Url Functions
  Connections and Invoke Url functions together enable you to perform integration tasks in your Zoho services. Connections are used to specify the third party service with which your Zoho service will be integrated. The Invoke url task is used to integrate your Zoho service with third party applications and perform required actions, through Connections.

Why Use Deluge Scripting

• Perform Integrations
  You can integrate your Zoho services with various cloud services that includes, but is not limited to: Twitter, Google and Salesforce to perform various actions in them directly from your Zoho service.

• Send Notifications
  When the notification scripts are executed, custom notifications are sent to an email address/phone number, or to a particular device in case of push notifications. Notifications can be customized such that to notify everyone automatically based on the changes occurring in records of Zoho services.

• Define Functions
  Deluge scripting supports Functions, using which we can structure the Deluge script in a more modular way, accessing all the potential that structured programming can offer. Related functions can also be grouped under a common category based on their purpose, called namespace, which helps in easy maintenance.

• Use Collections
  Deluge makes it simple to handle a large amount of data in a structured manner with the help of collections. It enables you to store and manipulate a group of data. It allows data to be stored either in an ordered manner, where each value is referenced by its index value or to be stored in key-value pairs, where each value is identified by its associated key.

• Access Data
  Deluge allows you to access data from records and manipulate them without manual intervention. Fetching records from one Zoho service and using them in other Zoho services or updating them are all made easier with Deluge. It has powerful syntaxes that let you forget about the database that is behind and access required data with ease.

Things you can’t do

• Send email between two unknown accounts
  When you send an email with Deluge, either the From email address or the To email address must be zoho.adminuserid or zoho.loginusserid. This is for security purposes. Two unknown accounts can't communicate with each other.

• Iterations within a specified range
  Most of the other language comes with an iteration facility where you can iterate over a range of values with a specified from and to indexes. But, in our case, you will write script that directly deals with the data stored, eliminating the need for such a functionality. Alternatively, you can iterate over all the elements in a collection or you can iterate over all those elements that satisfy a certain condition.

Deluge in other Zoho Services

• Zoho Creator
  Zoho Creator is a cloud-based low code application development platform that lets you create and launch a custom application to meet your business needs. Deluge helps you to automate routine tasks in the application that you create. For example, consider that you build an order management application that allows you to receive and view orders. You can use Deluge to add simple business logics that validates the order and send emails.

• Zoho CRM
  Zoho CRM is a customer relationship management application that helps you to attract, retain and satisfy your customers efficiently. Deluge makes customization and automation simple in Zoho CRM application.

  • Custom Functions
    Custom functions are written using Deluge scripts to manipulate data, communicate with third-party applications, and update Zoho CRM with responses from third-party applications. Custom functions help you to automate the business process by associating them with the workflow rules.
    
    You can choose the module upon which the custom function is executed. The custom function can be triggered when records are created, edited, created/edited, deleted or specific fields are updated. For example, you can write a custom function to calculate total revenue generated by all potentials of an account on an account page.

  • Buttons
    It is easy to customize button using Deluge such that, every time the user clicks the custom button, a defined task is performed. You can customize your own button by writing a custom function which is then associated with the button. For example, you can configure a button that determines the success rate of your potential on every click.

  • Schedules
    You can schedule your Deluge script execution such that, the action takes place on a specified date and time. For example, you can schedule a script that executes every week which periodically synchronizes your contacts with other applications. Another example is that you can execute a script that periodically pushes your CRM data to your legacy system for data backup purposes.

• Zoho Cliq
  Zoho Cliq is a chat application that works well in a business environment. Deluge featured with Zoho Cliq makes your day to day tasks simpler and conveniently automated with Cliq.

  • Slash Command
    Slash commands are shortcuts featured in Zoho Cliq that helps you perform everyday tasks, on execution. Beside the default slash commands available in Zoho Cliq, you can also create your own customized slash command according to your need, using Deluge. For example, you can create a command /weather that when executed displays today's weather.

  • Button
    A button is triggered with a slash command. The slash command must be first configured such that it displays buttons on a chat window when executed. Each button is mapped to its respective function. The function associated with the button will be triggered when you click it. For example, a function that fetches record from another Zoho service and posts it in the chat window is executed on a button click.

  • Functions
    Function in Cliq, is a piece of code written in Deluge, which helps you perform a task within seconds. It is usually mapped with Buttons such that a task is executed in a click of a button. 

  • Bot
    Bots are software applications that run automated tasks. Your bot performs in a way that you programmed it with Deluge. The bot that you configure could be interactive or non-interactive. For example, you can configure an interactive bot that notifies the weather whenever you ask for it. Or, you can configure a non-interactive bot that notifies you every time you are assigned a task.

  • Schedulers
    Schedulers help in automating all your routine tasks. You can write functions with Deluge and schedule it such that it executes in different time periods or undergoes repeated execution like, every day, every week or every month. For example, Schedulers in Cliq can be used to get your To-do list from your note taking application and post them in your personal bot every day at a specified time. 

• Zoho Desk
  Zoho Desk is web-based help desk software that gives you the ability to manage your customer support activities efficiently. Zoho Desk allows you to assign, track and set up alerts on help desk tickets easily.

  • Custom Functions
    Custom functions in Zoho Desk, help you to update the data in related help desk modules or other third-party applications. The custom function written with Deluge is then associated with workflow rules, that way it automates the business process.
    
    For example, custom functions can be written such that each time a ticket is created, it is automatically assigned to a list of agents in a round-robin fashion or circular fashion. Here, group of agents are stored in a list and the function is automatically triggered on creation of a new ticket. Another example is that you can write a custom function to automatically convert a support ticket in Zoho Desk as a task in Zoho Projects.

• Zoho Mail
  Zoho Mail is an email platform that offers ad-free, clean, minimalistic interface and powerful features that suits well for business environment. 

  • Custom Functions
    Zoho mail uses custom functions in its Filter module. Deluge allows you to organize all the received emails that are crowded in your inbox. It also allows you to automatically communicate between applications. For example, you can write a custom function that pushes the content of the mail received from a specific email address to records of another Zoho Service.

• Zoho Flow
  Zoho Flow is an integration platform that allows you to connect web applications effortlessly and automate complex business workflows.

  • Custom Functions
    Deluge allows you to write custom functions that provide flexibility to achieve complex workflows that simplify repetitive tasks. For example, you can create a custom function that calculates the discount rate for your invoice, or a function to analyze your support tickets and alert you if there is a negative statement.

• Zoho Recruit
  Zoho Recruit is a cloud-based recruitment application that lets you manage all your job openings, resumes, candidates and contacts more quickly and efficiently.

  • Custom Functions
    In Zoho Recruit, you can write simple program scripts with Deluge that help you to update the data in related Recruit modules or third-party applications. For example, you can write a custom function that sends a reminder email to all the candidates regarding the interview next day.

  • Custom Schedules
    Using custom schedules, you can schedule a custom function such that it is executed automatically on a daily, weekly or monthly intervals. For example, you can write scripts to periodically alert the users about any idle candidates or job opening.

• Zoho People
  Zoho People is an online Human Resource Management System designed to manage and access all your employee data from a centralized location.

  • Custom Functions
    In Zoho People, custom functions are used to manipulate data, connect with a third party and internal applications and update responses in Zoho People. You can map your custom function to the workflow to achieve automation. For example, you can write a custom function to calculate and update an employee's travel expenses automatically. Another example is that you can write a custom function to do automatic check out, if an employee forgets to do check out at the end of the day.

• Zoho Projects
  Zoho Projects is an online project management software that helps you to plan, track, collaborate and achieve your business targets with ease.

  • Custom Functions
    In Zoho Projects, the custom functions are written with Deluge to automate a process. For example, you can write a custom function to notify a project manager via an SMS, an email or a Zoho chat, whenever an issue arises.

• Zoho BugTracker
  Zoho BugTracker is an online bug tracking software which helps you organize and resolve issues in your projects.

  • Custom Functions
    In Zoho BugTracker, you can write custom functions with Deluge to automate repetitive functions by setting up business rules, SLAs, webhooks, and notifications. For example, you can write a custom function to automate actions like reassigning the unresolved issue to developers.

• Zoho Books
  Zoho Books is an online accounting software that is designed for small businesses to manage their finances.

  • Custom Functions
    In Zoho Books, the custom function can be used to automate actions on specific modules. For example, you can write a custom function with Deluge to send a congratulatory email to all the team members automatically, when an estimate for goods worth over the target amount gets accepted by a client.

• Zoho Invoice
  Zoho Invoice is an online invoicing software that is built for small businesses and freelancers.

  • Custom Functions
    Zoho Invoice allows you to write small pieces of code with Deluge and link it with the workflow to automate your business processes. For example, you can write custom function to add 5% late charge automatically when an invoice becomes overdue. Another example is that, you can write custom function to automatically set due date for an invoice as 30 days before the event date.

• Zoho Inventory
  Zoho Inventory is cloud-based inventory management software that helps you create and manage both your sales and purchase orders, and track your inventory.

  • Custom Functions
    In Zoho Inventory, custom functions are used to include automation to the regular tasks performed in the application. For example, you can write custom functions with Deluge, to automatically extend due date by 7 days, if the customer pays 50% of the invoice amount on or before the initial due date.

• Zoho Connect
  Zoho Connect is a social networking software application that allows you to keep your workplace communication organized.

  • Custom Functions
    Zoho Connect uses custom functions to achieve automation. For example, consider you create an event and invite few people in Zoho Connect. You can write a custom function that automatically sends an invite email personally to all the invitees on a creation of an event.

• Zoho Survey
  Zoho Survey is an online survey creation tool that addresses all the basic survey needs and requirements.

  • Custom Functions
    Zoho Survey uses custom functions to automate the analysis procedure of the survey results. For example, Consider you have created a survey in Zoho Survey to know how well your customer knows about your products. You can write a custom function with Deluge to automatically add the respondents who scored more than 70% as a lead in Zoho CRM.