Skip to main content


         This documentation site is for previous versions. Visit our new documentation site for current releases.      
 

Understanding application release changes, types, and processes

Updated on February 4, 2021

The following tables provide information about the types of changes that you can make within a release, the release types, and the release management process to follow based on the types of changes that you want to deploy.

Types of changes within a release

Change typeTechnical changesActivates by access groupActivates immediatelyActivation requires restartRelease frequencyRequires a Support Request (Pega Cloud Services only)

Rules

(including non-rule-resolved rules)

Rule-

Rule-Application-Rule

Rule-Obj-Class

Rule-Ruleset-Name

Rule-Ruleset-Version

Rule-Access-Role-Obj

Rule-Access-Deny-Obj

YesYesNoDaily/WeeklyNo
Data instancesData-NoYesNoWeeklyNo
Dynamic system settingsData-Admin-System-SettingsNoYesCertain dynamic system settings activate only on system restart and require you to follow the Environment release process.NoCertain dynamic system settings activate only on system restart and require you to follow the Environment release process.MonthlyCertain dynamic system settings activate only on system restart and require you to follow the Environment release process.No
Functional

Rule-Utility-Function

Rule-Utility-Library

YesYes

Treat functional changes that reference code as a Code release, which requires a system restart to activate if you are making code changes.

  • Change type – This column lists the high-level category of changes that you can make in a release.
  • Technical changes – Technical changes describe the rule types or artifacts for a change type. Rule- and Data- include all subtypes under that parent type, unless specifically identified for a different change type.
  • Activates by access group – Rule resolution for this change type is controlled by the access groups of an operator.
  • Activates immediately – Rule resolution uses this change type immediately after deployment.
  • Activation requires restart – This change type requires a system restart before it is available to the rule resolution process.
  • Release frequency – Release frequency indicates the period in which you can deploy this type of change to production.
  • Requires a Support Request (Pega Cloud only) – As a Pega Cloud customer, you are responsible for any application changes that you make; however, as a best practice, inform and engage Pega Support before releasing application changes. You can open a Support Request on My Support Portal. For more information, see My Support Portal FAQ.
No

Treat functional changes that reference code as a Code release, which requires a system restart to activate if you are making code changes.

  • Change type – This column lists the high-level category of changes that you can make in a release.
  • Technical changes – Technical changes describe the rule types or artifacts for a change type. Rule- and Data- include all subtypes under that parent type, unless specifically identified for a different change type.
  • Activates by access group – Rule resolution for this change type is controlled by the access groups of an operator.
  • Activates immediately – Rule resolution uses this change type immediately after deployment.
  • Activation requires restart – This change type requires a system restart before it is available to the rule resolution process.
  • Release frequency – Release frequency indicates the period in which you can deploy this type of change to production.
  • Requires a Support Request (Pega Cloud only) – As a Pega Cloud customer, you are responsible for any application changes that you make; however, as a best practice, inform and engage Pega Support before releasing application changes. You can open a Support Request on My Support Portal. For more information, see My Support Portal FAQ.
MonthlyYes
Data modelSQLNoYesNoMonthlyYes
Code

Java JAR file

Java .class file

NoNoYesMonthlyYes
Environment

Changes outside of Pega

(JVM, XML configuration)

NoNoYesQuarterlyYes

Understanding release types

Release typeActivates for usersApplication users affectedRelease frequencyNew application versionSelf-serviceRequires a Support Request (Pega Cloud only)
Bug fixImmediatelyAllDailyNoYesNo
Standard releaseOn access group updateBy access groupWeeklyYesYesNo
Database releaseImmediatelyAllMonthlyYesNoYes
Code releaseAfter restartAllMonthlyYesNoYes
Environment releaseAfter restartAllQuarterlyYesNoYes
Major releasePer change type

Activation of a Major release occurs based on the change types that the release contains. For information about how each change type is activated, see Table 1.

  • Release type – This column lists the high-level category of releases that you can deploy.
  • Activates for users – This column indicates when this release type takes effect for users.
  • Application users affected – This column provides the scope of application users that see the effect of this release type.
  • Significant UX impact – This release type might require users to significantly relearn a process or has significant layout changes.
  • Release frequency – This column provides the frequency of this type of release.
  • New application version – This column indicates whether you must create a new application version for this release.
  • Self-service – A user with appropriate permissions can execute this release type using the Pega Platform, and a Pega System Administrator is not required to roll back changes.
  • Requires a Support Request (Pega Cloud Services only) – As a Pega Cloud Services customer, you are responsible for any application changes that you make; however, as a best practice, inform and engage Pega Support before releasing application changes. You can open a Support Request on My Support Portal. For more information, see My Support Portal FAQ.
Per change type

Activation of a Major release occurs based on the change types that the release contains. For information about how each change type is activated, see Table 1.

  • Release type – This column lists the high-level category of releases that you can deploy.
  • Activates for users – This column indicates when this release type takes effect for users.
  • Application users affected – This column provides the scope of application users that see the effect of this release type.
  • Significant UX impact – This release type might require users to significantly relearn a process or has significant layout changes.
  • Release frequency – This column provides the frequency of this type of release.
  • New application version – This column indicates whether you must create a new application version for this release.
  • Self-service – A user with appropriate permissions can execute this release type using the Pega Platform, and a Pega System Administrator is not required to roll back changes.
  • Requires a Support Request (Pega Cloud Services only) – As a Pega Cloud Services customer, you are responsible for any application changes that you make; however, as a best practice, inform and engage Pega Support before releasing application changes. You can open a Support Request on My Support Portal. For more information, see My Support Portal FAQ.
QuarterlyYesNoYes

Understanding the process to follow based on types of changes

Does your release contain the following changes?Follow this release processRequires a Support Request (Pega Cloud Services only)
RulesData instancesDynamic system settingsFunctionalData modelCodeEnvironmentSignificant UX impact
XX------Bug fixNo
XXXX----Standard releaseNo
-X--X---Database releaseYes
----

Treat functional changes that reference code as a Code release, which requires a system restart to activate if you are making code changes.

  • Rules – Are you deploying Rules- records in this release?
  • Data instances – Are you deploying Data- records in this release?
  • Dynamic System Settings – Are you loading Data-Admin-System-Settings records in this release?
  • Significant UX impact – Will users need to significantly relearn a process, or are there significant layout changes?
  • Code – Are you loading JAR files as part of this release?
  • Data model – Are there changes to your data model in this release (SQL)?
  • Environment changes – Will there be operating system or application server changes in this release?
  • Follow this release process – Based on your answers to these questions, follow this release process.
  • Requires a Support Request (Pega Cloud Services only) – As a Pega Cloud Services customer, you are responsible for any application changes that you make; however, as a best practice, inform and engage Pega Support before releasing application changes. You can open a Support Request on My Support Portal. For more information, see My Support Portal FAQ.
-X--Code releaseYes
---

Certain Dynamic System Settings activate only on system restart and require you to follow the Environment release process.

---X-Environment releaseYes
XXXXXXXXMajor releaseYes

Have a question? Get answers now.

Visit the Support Center to ask questions, engage in discussions, share ideas, and help others.

Did you find this content helpful?

Want to help us improve this content?

We'd prefer it if you saw us at our best.

Pega.com is not optimized for Internet Explorer. For the optimal experience, please use:

Close Deprecation Notice
Contact us