Published Release Notes

New dynamic setting to manage validation of hidden fields

Pega Platform™ version 8.6.4 introduces a new DSS setting for Theme Cosmos and other section-based applications. The validateHiddenField setting controls whether the application validates fields that you hide through visibility rules. By default, validateHiddenField is set to true, which means that the application fields are validated for completeness even if they are not displayed in the form. You can also switch off this functionality by changing the setting value to false. 

For more information, see Managing field validation in hidden sections.

Default value of the threadpoolsize agent affects batch indexing

After you patch Pega Platform to version 8.5.2 or higher, the system changes the default value of the threadpoolsize agent, which controls the number of concurrent activities (threads) in the system, from 5 to 15. Batch indexing in Pega Platform™ does not require all 15 threads, so you can change the agent value to increase system performance by managing the indexing/distributed/batch/numworkers dynamic system setting.
If your deployment does not support that setting, and batch indexing does not use Queue Processors, the system uses the threadpoolsize value for batch indexing instead.

For more information, see Editing a dynamic system setting.

Improved performance in Process Modeler

Process Modeler has been enhanced to be faster, more responsive, and easier to use. Opening a canvas is 10 to 35 times faster on flows with 200 shapes.

Enhancements include:

• Smart guides to help you align shapes
• New cursors that indicate what you can and cannot do
• A WYSIWYG display when you move shapes
• Real-time preview when you swap swimlanes
• A visible grid when grid snapping is on
• Actual shapes are dragged instead of a silhouette of the shape
• Shapes are highlighted in real time when you draw over a selection of many shapes
• Right-click menu for controlling shape distribution and alignment
• Keyboard shortcuts
• Combined panning and zooming
• Swimlanes pick up shapes when you move a swimlane over them

Enhanced refresh token strategy

You now have more precise control over your refresh token expiration strategy. When a refresh token is enabled, you can choose to set its initial expiration based on the value provided by the IDP. The refresh token expiry can be derived from IDP’s session timeout when SSO is used with external IDP for user authentication in the authorization code grant flow. You can also specify a separate refresh token expiration strategy based on your use-case. 

These can be configured in the OAuth2 Client registration rule form.

For more information, see Enhanced refresh token strategy.