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

Create decision table templates

Use a template to define the implementation and parameters for either a condition or an action value in a decision table. This template can then be used to create new cells with the same format, but with different parameter values.

Decision tables, in which the conditions or actions are based on templates are dynamically modifiable in the runtime environment. Base the conditions or actions of a decision table on a template if you want to give your business analyst the ability to modify the runtime behavior of the decision table without involving the integration developer. To create a template for one of the values in your decision table, proceed as follows:

Procedure

1. In the decision table editor, choose a cell and click the Converts an expression of a decision table cell into a template () icon . If you are working with an existing value in the table, then the system will examine the expression and convert all literal values into parameters. The value appears in a small square to indicate that it is a template, and a new template appears as in the General tab of the properties area shown in this image:

   

2. In the Parameters row, you can create a new parameter as follows:

   1. Click the icon. A new parameter will appear.

   2. In the Type column, click Select Type, and select an appropriate choice from the list.

   3. To add a restriction on how the parameter can be configured, click None under the Constraint column. A list showing the available choices will appear.

   4. To specify an upper and a lower limit for the constraint, click Range, and then use the choices in the window to build your expression. You can either choose an existing template which will then prompt you for a value, or you can compose it yourself by clicking the appropriate operators and values in sequence.

   5. Alternatively, to specify a list of choices, click Enumeration, and add an item to the Enumeration Items table in the Constraint tab in the properties view. The Value is the actual setting, and Presentation is how it is displayed in an actual rule.

3. In the Presentation row, write a sentence that will appear in the cell. To insert a parameter that the user can make changes to, click the triangular icon to launch a menu, and then choose a parameter from the list.

4. If you want to make changes to this value's implementation, click the first cell in the Expression row, and use the choices in the pop-up window to build a new expression.

Create a decision table

Create business rules

Related concepts:
Decision table editor
Choose the correct template parameter values

Related tasks:
Work with conditions in a decision table
Configure actions in a decision table
Work with initialization action rules
Use an otherwise condition
Changing the layout of your decision table
Use templates in your decision table
Editing a decision table template
Create rule set templates
Create a new rule from a template in the rule set editor