Modify a Rule Base

You can modify a rule base, including all states, functions, and the rules contained in each.

Modifying a rule base lets you:

• Change the names of states, functions, and rules, and the conditions and actions in rules.
• Duplicate a rule to change its name, conditions, or actions. This option makes it easy to add a rule with similar properties.
• Delete a rule.
• Temporarily disable a rule to prevent it from being considered when the system is processing workflow.
• Move a rule to another state or function or change the order of a rule within a state or function by dragging and dropping.

When you open a rule base and edit it, the system maintains the active rule base while you edit a copy in the Rules editor. Your changes are not saved until you activate them. This prevents any disruption in rules processing during the editing process, and ensures that you can revert to a functional rule base should you make any accidental changes while editing.

Caution: If you delete a state or function, you also delete all the rules within that state or function.

1. Right-click any rule in the rule base, then select one of the following options:
   • Edit—Make the changes and save the rule. If the rule was not successfully updated, a message indicates the value that is not valid.
   • Duplicate—Rename the rule, make the necessary changes, and save the new rule.
   • Delete—A message asks you to confirm the deletion.
   • Disable/Enable—The tree refreshes and a lock icon appears next to the rule to reflect its disabled status. The menu option changes to Enable when you right-click a disabled rule.
2. Make other changes to the rule base as necessary, such as reordering rules.

Results:

Because opening a rule base to make changes creates a copy of the active rule base, this action changes the Last Updated column on the Rules editor (or the Edited date when you view active rules), regardless of whether you make any changes.

What to do next

Regardless of how you modify a rule base, you must activate it for the changes to take effect. See Compilation and Activation of Rule Bases.