Derby databases are no longer supported
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.8
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.
Custom database (DB) triggers are dropped during upgrade
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.8
The latest version of Pega 7 improves performance by no longer using database triggers to assist with System Pulse and Data-Rule-Summary processing, which is now done within the Pega 7 engine. As a result, DB triggers are no longer installed on either the pr_sys_updatescache or pr4_rule_vw tables.
When upgrading to the latest version of Pega 7, if you had previously implemented a custom database (DB) trigger on these tables, or a custom DB trigger that refers to these tables, it is removed during the upgrade process. No custom triggers are removed unless they reference these tables.
If you have custom DB triggers that reference the pr_sys_updatescache or pr4_rule_vw tables and perform other processing, those triggers must be reimplemented. When doing so, you must be careful to not modify the pr_sys_updatescache or pr4_rule_vw tables.
For more information, see Startup check removes custom DB triggers.
Quickly attach a file to a case directly on a user form
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.8
In form configuration, the Attachment field type allows users to attach files directly to the form rather than performing an additional action.
For example, an insurance adjuster can take a photo of a vehicle and add the photo directly to the form. When the field type is configured as an attachment, at run time a new section is auto-generated with an attachment control that includes a read-only text input field and a browse button.
Enhanced form configuration reuse
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.8
In Case Designer you can reuse existing form fields when configuring forms. You can browse a set of existing fields and add them to the form by clicking an icon or by dragging and dropping. You can drill down through field levels to add embedded field levels. Fields are also searchable.
Convert data instances into decision parameter rules
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.8
The Convert groups wizard is available in the Hierarchy landing page when the list of your propositions include decision data records.
Click Convert groups at the top of the landing page to use the wizard and to convert data instances into decision parameter rules. This conversion is necessary to make the existing proposition data instances available for revision management.
Update to the Data Flows rule
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.8
It is now possible to collect statistics for each active data flow. These include the number of processed records, records that caused errors and last processed records per shape, as well as historical throughput measured for the entire data flow.
There are two new patterns in the Data Flow rule:
- Event Strategy - define this pattern to use an event strategy in a data flow and to connect a data stream and static data sources to an event strategy.
- Filter - specify filter conditions and apply them to each element of the input flow
Apart from this, the Merge pattern was updated to execute the flow when there is no data on the secondary branches and the Strategy pattern allows you to specify the class where you want to store your strategy results.
New Dynamic System Setting for proposition management
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.8
A new Dynamic System Setting affects the process of creating new groups on the Proposition Management landing page.
When the PropositionManagement/isOnlyVersionedProposition parameter is set to true, users can only create the versioned propositions.
When the PropositionManagement/isOnlyVersionedProposition parameter is set to false, the Create Group dialog allows users to create either the versioned or unversioned propositions (the Create versioned proposition data check box and the Decision data rule section are both displayed).
Identify, install, and manage hotfixes with the Hotfix Manager
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.8
Hotfixes are packages of files that address issues in Pega 7 and in participating Industry Applications. With Hotfix Manager, you can:
- Scan your system for installed and missing critical hotfixes and create a report that you can provide to Pegasystems Support for diagnostic purposes.
- Review the descriptions and contents of hotfixes.
- Install, rollback, and commit hotfixes.
- Manage hotfixes that include schema changes or require other special handling.
The Hotfix Manager replaces the Update Manager Hotfix Installer and System Scanner, both of which are deprecated. For more information, see Hotfix Manager identifies, installs, and manages hotfixes to Pega 7 and participating Industry Applications.
New form of the HBase rule
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.8
There is a new form of the HBase rule. While you cannot create any new instances of the Pega 7.1.7 HBase rule, legacy instances in your application remain functional. You can still use the Pega 7.1.7 instances of the HBase rule, but you cannot make changes to them.
Enhanced product rule form for easy application packaging
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.8
The enhanced product rule form allows you to add applications in Delta mode, which includes only the patch version of the rulesets that comprise the application rule. You can also use Global exclusions to exclude one or more rules that are not associated with a ruleset version.
These enhancements allow easy packaging of non-versioned rules that are often deployed separately and reduce the need to manually add them later.
For more information, see Product rules - Completing the Contents tab.