Option to resume failed upgrades and updates
Valid from Pega Version 7.2.1
When you upgrade or update to Pega 7.2.1, you can opt to have the system resume the deployment after a failure to avoid restarting the deployment and to save time. The deployment resumes at the point of failure and does not repeat any successful steps. This functionality is not supported for new installations. For more details, see the Pega 7 Platform Upgrade Guide and the Pega 7 Platform Update Guide.
Open access to quiesced servers when using immediate drain
Valid from Pega Version 7.2.1
When using the immediate drain method to perform quiesce on a node, any operator can now access a quiesced server for root cause analysis or remediation, regardless of their user role or privileges. For quiesced server access when using the slow drain method, you must still include either the PegaRULES:HighAvailabilityAdministrator or PegaRULES:HighAvailabilityQuiesceInvestigator user role in a user's access group. Administrators using the slow drain method without either of these user roles are exiled from the quiesced node and are redirected to an active node.
For more information, see Immediate drain available for quiesce when using high availability.
New passivation and activation activities
Valid from Pega Version 7.2.1
Two new activities have been implemented, pyPrePassivation and pyPostActivation, which are run every time operator passivation occurs, regardless of the node quiesce state. These activities save and restore the requestor state during passivation and activation. In order for the pyPrePassivation or pyPostActivation activity to be run as expected, you must implement the activity by using the correct Applies To class (@baseclass).
The previous activities that were run during the quiesce process, pyPreQuiescePassivation and pyPostQuiesceActivation, have been deprecated.
For more information, see the Pega 7.2.1 High Availability Administration Guide.
Transition effects for actions in custom mobile apps
Valid from Pega Version 7.2.1
Custom mobile apps that are developed on the Pega 7 Platform can include built-in transition effects that animate your forward or backward movement in cases that use flows. This feature adds to the look-and-feel experience of the custom mobile app.
You can also manually add a transition effect to actions that do not support built-in effects by using the Run Script action and calling the pega.desktop.setNativeTransition() JavaScript method.
For more information, see Transition effects on actions.
Design templates in Pega Express
Valid from Pega Version 7.2.1
You can now use design templates to control the layout of form fields in Pega Express. Use the form builder Layouts tab to select a layout for the form and organize the fields in the layout regions.
For more information, see Adding a design template to a form in Pega Express.
Support for reserved keywords in database column names
Valid from Pega Version 7.2.1
Databases use reserved keywords such as Group, Order, Rank, and Date to define and manipulate data. The list of reserved keywords is specific to each database. Column names can now include reserved keywords.
Open authoring for rule forms has been removed
Valid from Pega Version 7.2.1
Open authoring for rule forms has been removed. You can now edit decision tables and map values by using the application and supported browser of your choice; Microsoft ActiveX controls are no longer required. In addition, support for external XML, HTML, and Java IDE editors has been removed.
Define adaptive model context
Valid from Pega Version 7.2.1
You can define model identifiers in the Adaptive Model rule instance, which serve as partitioning keys, by selecting properties from the top-level SR class of your application. The Adaptive Decision Manager (ADM) server uses model identifiers to create adaptive models that use the same configuration, but collect different adaptive statistics. Use model identifiers in the Adaptive Model rule to create adaptive models for your purposes.
For more information, see the Context tab on the Adaptive Model form.
High number of busy waits when using Oracle SecureFiles
Valid from Pega Version 7.2.1
You might experience a high number of buffer busy waits when using Oracle SecureFiles for BLOB storage. An Oracle buffer busy wait occurs when a session cannot access a database block in the buffer cache, because another session is either reading the block into the buffer or changing the buffer. As a best practice, use Oracle 11.2.0.4 or later, because earlier versions have more problems with SecureFiles. In addition, to minimize the number of busy waits, set the hidden Oracle parameter _securefiles_concurrency_estimate to 50, and partition the table by using a composite range hash partition that is based on the pxCreateDateTime and pzInskey columns.
For more information, see Troubleshooting: High number of busy waits when using Oracle SecureFiles.
Execute Tests service to run all data page unit test cases
Valid from Pega Version 7.2.1
You can now use the Execute Tests service to run a set of tests at the end of build runs. An external validation engine, such as Jenkins, calls the service, which runs all data page unit test cases in your application, and returns the results in XUnit format. Use this service to validate the data in your application and to correct any issues before you deploy your application.
For more information, see Running all data page unit test cases with the Execute Tests service.