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Property-Seek-Value method

 

Use this method to initiate backward chaining computations for the value of a property, based on Declare Expression rules.

For example, the standard activity Work-.VerifyProperty — referenced in the standard flow action Work-.VerifyProperty — calls this method.

Parameters

This method has four parameters:

Parameter

Description

GoalProperty

Identify the property to compute. This must be the Target Property key part of a Declare Expression rule.

AlwaysRecompute

Select to force the system to compute the value of the property identified in the GoalProperty parameter even when the property already is present on the clipboard and has a non-null value.

In most cases, leave this box cleared, so that the Compute Value field in the Declare Expression rule applies.

AlwaysForwardChain

Select to cause the system to forward chain after backward chaining, even when the goal-seek attempt failed. If not selected, when goal seeking fails, any property changes made by the goal seek process are not considered for forward chaining.

In most cases, leave this box cleared.

MissingReference Property

Optional. Enter a target property, a local variable, or an activity parameter. When backward chaining fails to compute the property identified in the GoalProperty parameter, the method stores name of the property that prevented the computation from completing there.

Results

This method uses backward chaining on the declarative network defined through Declare Expression rules to compute or recompute the value of the goal property.

The system uses the GoalProperty parameter and class of the step page (or primary page) as the Applies To key part to search for the Declare Expression rule. It then uses the Declare Expression rule to starts backward-chaining computations to obtain a value for the property.

If backward chaining is successful, the result is a new value for the property identified in the GoalProperty parameter. (Other properties may also have new values, all consistent with Declare Expression rules and other declarative rules).

If the backward chaining computation is unable to compute a value for the GoalProperty property, it may return instead the name of another property (identified in the third parameter) that — if it had a value — could contribute to the computation. Your application may then prompt a user for a value for this property, or use other means to obtain this value.

Checking the method status

This method updates the pxMethodStatus property. See How to test method results using a transition.

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