Published Release Notes

PEGA0056 alert monitors PR_SYS_LOCKS defragmentation performance

The System-Locks class contains information about locks, and the PR_SYS_LOCKS table can now be periodically de-fragmented. Accordingly, any increase in the time taken to defragment the table associated with this class results in an increase in the time taken by a requestor to acquire or release a lock.

The PEGA0056 alert indicates that the defragmentation exceeds the time threshold that is configured in the prconfig.xml file. When the alert is triggered, you can modify the defragmentation interval or disable defragmentation.

For more information, see PEGA0056 alert: Defragmentation of the table associated with class System-Locks exceeded the configured time threshold.

PEGA0055 alert detects clock drift in a multi-node clustered environment

Clocks in most of the hardware platforms run at different rates, and the PEGA0055 alert detects the clock drift on any of the nodes in a multi-node cluster. The alert is triggered when the clock drifts from the average time of the clocks in the cluster by an amount that exceeds the time threshold configured in the prconfig.xml file. You can use a network time protocol service or daemon to correct the clocks by referring to a standard external Internet time service, for example, nist.gov.

For more information, see PEGA0055 alert: Clock drift exceeded the configured time threshold.

New default system setting for SQL queries

A prconfig system setting, reporting/useLayerCakeSchemaChanges, is now enabled by default to improve the performance of SQL queries. Additionally, this setting can also be configured to disable an optimized query as a prconfig setting.

Previously, this setting was set to false by default. Starting in this release, to set this from true to false, you must explicitly add an entry in the prconfig.xml file.

For more information, see Startup check removes custom DB triggers.

Startup check removes custom DB triggers

The process for performing updates to the pr_sys_updatescache and pr4_rule_vw tables has been restructured to increase system processing efficiency. In previous releases, database (DB) triggers were used to perform updates to these tables. These updates are now performed directly within the Pega 7 engine and the DB triggers have been eliminated.

Accordingly, Pega 7 now checks at startup for any user-created triggers that are added after installation. If any triggers of this type are found, they are automatically removed.

For related information, see Custom DB triggers are dropped during upgrade.

Call functions by using the library qualified syntax

When calling a function, in addition to the existing fully qualified and unqualified function calls, you can now use the library qualified syntax:

@LibraryName.FunctionName(arg1, arg2... argn)

An example of using the library qualified syntax to call a function

Using library qualified notation helps prevent accidental library conflicts (such as when two libraries with the same name are located in different rulesets), because the library from the ruleset listed higher in the operator runtime ruleset list is selected for resolution.

For more information, see Methods for calling a function.

Schema not found error when importing a Rule-Admin-Product file

If you import a Rule-Admin-Product file (RAP) file that includes a schema that has a view, grammar parsing changes can mean that the Pega 7 Platform is unable to find the schema.

To enable the Pega 7 Platform to find the schema:

1. Review the error message that indicates that the schema was not found and identify the following items:
   • The name of the schema that is causing the error
   • The table name in the format: wrong_schema_name.table_name...
   • The DDL that the Pega 7 Platform is trying to apply
2. Use the table name to identify the correct schema name in your system. This schema is usually your data schema, but might also be an external database.
3. Download the DDL.
4. Correct the schema name and save the DDL.
5. Manually apply the DDL.

End of support for Netscape Plugin API in Google Chrome 45

Beginning with Chrome 45, which is expected to be available in September 2015, Google is ending support for browser plug-ins that rely on the Netscape Plugin API (NPAPI) architecture. These plug-ins include Microsoft Silverlight, Adobe Flash Player, and Java.

The Pega 7 Platform includes several optional features that use these plug-ins. For a detailed overview of these features, see Client-side technologies.

WebSphere log error with Java 8 for Enterprise JavaBeans

For environments that are deployed by using Java 8 on IBM WebSphere Application Server version 8.5.5.9 through the last 8.5.5.x fix pack, the log might report that a class was not found when the application server attempts to start Enterprise JavaBeans. If Java EE functionality is not needed, no further action is required. However, to use Enterprise JavaBeans, see WebSphere log error with Java 8 for Enterprise JavaBeans.

REST APIs added for management of agents and requestors

You can use new REST APIs to download a module version report or manage requestors and agents in Pega Platform™. For example, you can use a requestor REST API to end a requestor process, and you can use an agent REST API to start or stop an agent. These APIs allow external systems to report and manage Pega resources.

For more information, see Pega API for Pega Platform and Pega API.

MBeans deprecated in favor of Pega API

The use of MBeans for cluster management has been deprecated, although MBeans will continue to function for legacy deployments. The recommended best practice for automating system management is to use the Pega API. For more information, see Pega API.