By default, Pega Platform includes two database data instances:

• PegaRULES, for rules that describe the behavior of your system
• PegaDATA, for case data

To tune system performance, set up additional database instances to hold Pega Platform data:

• To store specific case data
• To store specific data types
• To store data for Prediction Studio
• To run reports

You can also set up an additional data instance to access an external database that was created outside of Pega Platform.

When you define a connection to a relational database, the best practice for on-premises environments is to use a JDBC connection pool, and the best practice for Pega Cloud Services environments is to use a JDBC URL.

After you create a database data instance, you can create instances of database table to associate the relational tables and views in that database with Pega Platform classes. You can do this manually or by using the Connector and Metadata wizard.

Reviewing a database schema

You can use the Modify Schema wizard to examine the table structure of a database that is identified by a database data instance.