Completing the Decision tab (Basic format)
Version:
Record the if.. then.. logic of the decision tree in this array, which has three columns. The unlabeled columns are known as the comparison, action, and next value columns.
This help topic describes the basic format of the Decision tab. If you encounter a Decision tab that contains an Evaluate Parameter or Evaluate property name, see Completing the Decision tab (Basic format).
At run time, the system evaluates the if portion of the array, starting at the top row, and continues as described here until it reaches a Return statement. If the system processes all rows but does not reach a Return statement, it returns the Otherwise value.
If the Redirect this Rule? check box on the Results tab is selected, this circumstance-qualified rule is redirected and this tab is blank.
Understanding the rows
Each text box can contain a value, a comparison operation for two values, followed by an outcome. The comparison can be between two properties or between a property and a constant value.
To make controls for a row or field visible, click that field :
- To hide subtree structures, click Collapse All. To hide specific subtree structures, click the minus sign.
- To show all subtree structures, click Expand All. To display specific subtrees, click the plus sign
- To review a property for a field that contains a property reference, click the Open icon.
- To append or delete a row, select a row and then click the Add or Delete icon, respectively.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| if / if value is | Enter a comparison by using one of the six comparison operators: <, >, =, !=, >= or <=. The value can be a constant or a Otherwise, this field is not visible. |
| (action) | Select an action from the selection list. The action that you choose determines which branch of this decision tree the system follows at run time when the condition to its left is reached and evaluates to true. Select a keyword:
|
| (next value) | Identify a target based on the action value. If you selected Otherwise, enter a value or expression here that allows the evaluation of the decision tree to continue. You can reference a property on any page, but be sure to enter any page you reference on the Pages & Classes tab. Enter a value that depends on the action value keyword:
This input field is not displayed when the action value is To open a referenced decision tree, map value, or decision table, click the Open icon. |
| Expand icon | Click to access an optional array of properties and values. To hide this array, click the Collapse icon . This choice might not be present in all cases, depending on settings on the Results tab. When the decision tree evaluates and this row is the source of the results, the system also recomputes the value of the target properties that are identified in this array. Order is significant. |
| Property | Optional. Identify a property reference to be set. |
| Value | Enter a value for that property. |
| Otherwise | |
| Return | Optional. Enter an expression defining a value to return when the decision tree evaluation does not return another value. When the Allowed Results list on the Results tab is not blank, this field is required and limited to one of the constant values listed on that tab. If this field is blank and no other return value is computed, the system returns the null value. |
- Completing the Configuration tab
Complete the fields on this tab to guide your inputs on the Matrix tab and define the possible values returned by this map value.
- About Decision Trees
Use a decision tree to record if .. then logic that calculates a value from a set of test conditions organized as a tree structure on the Decision tab, with the 'base' of the tree at the left.
- Creating decision trees
Calculate a value from a set of properties or conditions where true comparisons can lead to additional comparisons, organized and displayed as a tree structure, by creating a decision tree. For example, you can create a condition that checks whether the location of a job candidate is equal to a specific city. If the condition is true, your application evaluates additional conditions, such as work experience and education.
- Viewing rule history
You can view the saved history of a rule to see when it was changed and by whom. You can also compare the current version with a previous version or restore a previous version of a rule for testing purposes, or if the current version is faulty.
- More about Decision Trees