IBM BPM, V8.0.1, All platforms > Authoring services in Integration Designer > Developing business processes > Create business rules > Create a rule set

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 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 icon, or to remove one, highlight it and click the 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
    Creates a new if-then rule.
    Creates a new action rule.
    Creates a rule that is based on an existing template.
    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
    Creates a new template for an if-then rule.
    . 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.


Work 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:

Create business rules

Create a rule set


Related concepts:
Rule group editor
Decision table editor


Related tasks:
Adding a variable to a rule set
Create an if-then rule in the rule set editor
Create an action rule in the rule set editor
Create rule set templates
Create a new rule from a template in the rule set editor