This topic applies only to the IBM Business Process Manager Advanced configuration.

Rule set editor

A rule set captures decision-making business logic in the form of a series of if-then statements.

In a rule set, a business rule takes the form of an interaction between one condition and one action. In the rule set editor, the rule is presented in a tabular format that you can edit as needed. The editor is divided into several distinct areas, each with its own individual use as shown here.

The distinct areas of the rule set editor

The individual areas of the rule set editor

The areas of the rule set editor are as follows:
  1. The interface area
    • This area displays the interface that is currently being referenced by the rule set.
  2. The variables area
    • This area displays the variables that are being used by the rule set to store its data.
    • To create a new variable, click the The plus symbol icon, or to remove one, highlight it and click the The minus icon. icon.
  3. The rules area
    • Use this area to graphically compose your if-then rule sets.
    • The previous screen capture shows two rules in this area ready to be defined. The first is an if-then rule (a), and the second is a rule that is based on a template (b). The template on which this rule is based is shown in the Templates section below.
  4. The rules area toolbar
    • The icons in the rules area toolbar perform the following functions:
    Icon Description
    The add if-then rule icon Creates a new if-then rule.
    The add action rule icon Creates a new action rule.
    The add template rule icon Creates a rule that is based on an existing template.
    The convert rule to template rule icon Creates a template based on the current rule.
  5. The templates area
    • Use this area to graphically compose templates for a rule set.
    • The previous screen capture shows a single if-then template (c) that is ready to be configured.
  6. The templates area toolbar
    • The icons in the templates area toolbar perform the following functions:
    Icon Description
    The add if-then template icon Creates a new template for an if-then rule.
    The add action template icon. Creates a new template for an action rule.
  7. The properties area
    • This area displays properties that are relevant to the object that is currently selected in the editor. Click the tabs to the left of this view to toggle through the pages. Some pages display properties in tabular format, and you can add or modify these properties by clicking the appropriate cell and then interacting with the graphical interface that appears.
    • The contents of the page will differ on the activity or object chosen. In all cases, you can type F1 to launch a dedicated help window.

Working with the rule set editor

This editor gives you complete control over the configuration of your rule sets. Follow the links in the Related tasks section below to learn how to do any of the following tasks:
  • Working with variables
  • Create an if-then or an action rules
  • Convert a rule into a template
  • Create a rule that is based on a template
Parent topic: Creating business rules
Parent topic: Creating a rule set
Related concepts:
Rule group editor
Decision table editor
Related tasks:
Adding a variable to a rule set
Creating an if-then rule in the rule set editor
Creating an action rule in the rule set editor
Creating rule set templates
Creating a new rule from a template in the rule set editor