This topic applies only to the IBM Business Automation Workflow Advanced configuration.

Creating rule set templates

Edit online
Draft comment:
This topic only applies to BAW, and is located in the BAW repository. Last updated on 2025-03-13 12:15
Use a rule set template to define the implementation and parameters for an if-then or action rule. This template can then be used to create new instances of the same rule using different parameters.

About this task

You can create templates for both if-then and action rules in the same way.

Business rules based on templates are dynamically modifiable in the runtime environment. The parameters of the rule can be modified within certain constraints. Base your rule on a template if you want to give your business analyst the ability to modify the parameters of a rule without involving the integration developer.

Procedure

  1. In the rule set editor, click either the Add If-then template (The add if-then template icon,) or Add Action template (The add action template icon) icon .
    A new template appears as shown in this image (note that the window is slightly different for the action template).
  2. In the Parameters row, create a new parameter as follows:
    1. Click the The plus symbol icon.
      A new parameter will appear.
    2. In the Type column, click Select Type, and select an appropriate choice from the list.
    3. To add a restriction on how the parameter can be configured, click None under the Constraint column.
      A list showing the available choices will appear.
    4. To specify an upper and a lower limit for a numeric parameter, click Range, and then use the choices in the window to build your expression.
      You can either choose an existing template which will then prompt you for a value, or you can compose it yourself by clicking the appropriate operators and values in sequence.
    5. To specify a list of choices, click Enumeration, and add items to the Enumeration Items table in the Constraint tab in the properties view.
      The Value is the actual setting, and Presentation is how it is displayed in an actual rule.
    Note: If you apply a constraint to a parameter, the runtime user of a rule using this template will be able to modify the parameter only in accordance with that constraint.
  3. In the Presentation row, write a sentence that will describe the rule to another user.
    To insert a parameter that the user can make changes to, click the triangular icon to launch a menu, and then choose a parameter from the list.
  4. Compose the condition as follows:
    1. In the If row, click Condition.
      A pop-up window appears.
    2. Use the choices in the window to build your condition.
  5. Set the action as follows:
    1. In the Then row, click Action.
      A pop-up window appears.
    2. Use the choices in the window to set the action.

Results

You have successfully created a template for an if-then or an action rule. Now you are ready to create a rule based on it in the rule set editor.