Published Release Notes

Identify Pega unit test cases associated with inactive or deleted rules

From the Application: Unit testing landing page, you can view a list of all Pega unit test cases that are associated with inactive or deleted rules in the currently included applications. You cannot use these test cases because they will always fail.

Either remove such test cases, or reactivate the rules that they are associated with.

For more information, see Application: Unit testing landing page.

Support for rich user interface controls in IVA for Web Chatbot

You can now use rich user interface controls in Pega Intelligent Virtual Assistant™ (IVA) for Web Chatbot because Pega Platform™ includes a framework for advanced user interface controls. You can use a date picker control and add file attachments while chatting with the chatbot. These features provide a richer and more robust user experience and they help the user accomplish tasks more quickly without the need for complex validation messages.

For more information, see Use rich user interface controls in Web Chatbot.

Enhancements to the AJAX container

It is now possible to set a document limit for an AJAX container, between 2 and 16 to control the number of documents opened by users. To reduce development time, you can also choose a new option to have no default view. The multidocument mode features tabbed navigation so that users can switch between open documents. A tabless container, on the other hand, includes an out-of-the-box navigation action for Home, which helps application users move within the portal.

For more information, see Configuring the AJAX container.

Add content to cases and spaces from external repositories

Provide meaningful content for your cases and spaces faster by attaching files from third-party repositories. Pega Platform™ now supports sourcing documents from external repositories that you configure in your application. You do not need to download documents first, and then upload them to your case or space.

For more information, see Adding content to a space (for App Studio), Adding content to a space (for Dev Studio).

Data Designer lets you explore, develop, and manage the data your application uses

The Data Designer, new in Pega 7.1.7, is the lens through which you create and manage your application data types, and create properties within the selected data type. The Create Properties wizard is retired, and you now create and manage properties in the Definition tab of the data type you are viewing. You can track how your application uses your data types, and which case types use which data, on the Usage tab. Review the sources for your data types on the Sources tab, and create and manage local data storage for records on the Records tab.

For more information, see About Data Types.

Add varied content to a case with Recent content gadget

In an end user portal such as Case Manager, you can now add any type of file to your case by using a Recent content gadget. You can create documents by using a rich text editor, uploading existing files, or attaching URL addresses. Collaborate on all types of content with other members of your team by providing the necessary documents for your case.

For more information, see Adding content to a space (for App Studio), Adding content to a space (for Dev Studio).

Improved search indexing performance

Search indexing now uses a queue processor to improve indexing performance. Indexing can automatically restart if the database goes down temporarily. This saves time and manual action. As a result of using the queue processor for indexing, the following changes have been made to the Search Landing page.

• You cannot cancel indexing from the Search landing page. Cancel indexing by stopping the queue processor from the Data flow landing page.
• The progress message is not shown. View progress on the Queue Processor landing page.
• Queue processor information has been added.

For more information, see Stopping or pausing search reindexing.

Discuss documents more effectively by using collaboration feedback

Create meaningful documentation for a case by collaborating with other users of your portal, such as the Case Manager or Worker portal. The collaboration feedback features in Pega Platform™ provide options for you to add Pulse comments to a document by responding to a notification email, share documents as URLs, and download documents as PDF files for offline viewing and editing. Collaboration feedback is a convenient and fast way to add valuable content for your case.

For more information, see Adding content to a space (for App Studio), Adding content to a space (for Dev Studio).

Improved cross-browser support

All rule forms are now harness-based and open in the work area of Designer Studio. This means that you can develop in the browser of your choice, free from pop-up distractions and incompatibility messages. Many rule forms have been upgraded to use the latest layouts, styles, and design best practices, giving you a consistent development experience.

Viewing a Word Template in Pega 7.1.7 compared with Pega 7.1.6

Previous restrictions still apply to any deprecated or custom rule forms in your application that remain form-based. Refer to the Deprecated features list for guidance on how to upgrade these forms and recommended alternatives.

Specification type extended for decisioning users

Specifications now support a Decision Strategy Manager (DSM) type. This allows you to map your specifications to a decisioning component, such as a strategy or model. After you select an appropriate subtype and provide relevant metadata, you can run the Sizing wizard to incorporate these details into project sizing worksheets.

DSM specification details as they appear in the Specification form and Sizing wizard output

You must have access to Decision Management rulesets to create DSM specifications. For more information on specification types, refer to the Details tab of the Specification form. To view all specifications in your application, filtered by type, refer to the Application Profile landing page.