Published Release Notes

Enhanced BIX file naming

To help clarify file names, BIX extract output files and manifest files can now contain parameters. Parameters can include the rule name, the extract's run time and date, and a unique run sequence number. Special characters such as spaces, hyphens, or number signs (#) in the output or manifest file name are converted to underscores. In addition, the pxExtractIdentifier and pxExtractDateTime columns have been added to the .csv output file.

For more information, see Extracting data with BIX and Extract rules - completing the File Specification tab.

List view and summary view reports might not display in HTML5-compliant browsers

List view and summary view reports use framesets to provide a view of drill-down reports. HTML5 does not support framesets, so these reports might not display well, or at all, in versions of browsers that are compliant with HTML5.

To prevent display issues, re-create the custom list view and summary view reports that you need as report definition reports. Standard management reports are already available as report definition reports.

As of Pega 7.2, list view and summary view rules are deprecated. For more information, see Discontinued support for list view and summary view rules.

Enhanced chart control improves displaying data as a chart

The renewed chart control has an improved properties panel and provides HTML5-compliant pie, column, bar, area, line, and gauge charts. The chart source can be a report definition, a clipboard page, or a data page. You can customize basic and threshold colors, borders, line widths, labels, and other chart elements. A preview on the property panel instantly displays the effects on the chart of property changes you make.

For more information, see Harness and section forms - Adding a chart.

HTML5-compliant chart types

Derby databases are no longer supported

Previously, an embedded Derby database could be used as a file system. This setup was configured by setting storage/class/<<filesystem>>/type to "embedded" in the prconfig file.

After upgrading, storage types that are specified as "embedded" now default to the local file system.

Cannot create new data tables after update

Data tables have been replaced by a new local data storage format. You can upgrade old-style data tables to use the new local data storage format, but the new format is not compatible with earlier versions of Pega 7 in which data tables could be created.

You can still edit legacy data tables by using the old data table functionality. However, to create new data tables, you must use the Data Explorer and Data Designer.

Simplified process for JMS MDB listener deployment

The process for deploying a JMS message-driven bean (MDB) that represents a JMS MDB listener has been streamlined for new enterprise applications. It is now less complicated and can be performed in fewer steps.

For more information on deploying to WebSphere, WebLogic, and JBoss, refer to the PDN article Deploying a JMS message-driven bean (MDB) that represents a JMS MDB listener in Pega 7.

New property pxCommitDateTime

A new property, pxCommitDateTime, records the time when a record or updated rule was committed to the database. This property also allows for incremental extracts when running BIX.

Using SAML 2.0 for web single sign-on

Provide a seamless user-authentication experience across your SAML 2.0-enabled service provider applications by using SAML 2.0 for web single sign-on.

Pega uses this industry-standard protocol to ensure simple and proven connectivity with your Identity Provider (IdP). The Pega 7 platform is fully conformant with the SAML 2.0 web single sign-on and single logout profiles.

For additional information about SAML 2.0 conformance, including configuring Pega 7 as a service provider, see SAML 2.0 conformance for web single sign-on and single logout profiles.

FTPS added to FTP server

When using FTP Secure (FTPS) in an FTP Server record, you can securely transfer files by using TLS/SSL. A new Security section has been added to the Edit FTP Server configuration page for enabling and configuring FTPS.

For more information, see FTP Secure for FTP server records.

JavaMail API upgrade has potential SMTP configuration error

The JavaMail API has been upgraded from 1.4.1 to 1.5.2 in this release. This improvement provides greater compatibility and secure connectivity with leading industry email servers.

During the upgrade process, there is a known issue for some configurations of email servers, including Microsoft Exchange Server, that requires the use of an additional setting. After upgrading to this release, if you experience authentication failures when attempting to send email or test SMTP connectivity, do one of the following:

• Recommended: Review the Microsoft Exchange email server settings to ensure proper configuration for SMTP authentication. In some cases, the use of port 587 instead of the traditional default SMTP port 25 has been shown to address this issue.
• Create the following Dynamic System Setting with the value "true," and then restart email listeners:

Owning Ruleset: Pega-IntegrationEngine

Setting Purpose: javamail/NoAuthMechanismsRetry

After any email server configuration or upgrade, it is recommended that email listeners are re-tested without using this Dynamic System Setting.

See About Email Account data instances for information on configuring email account records.