Rule Table Overview

Overview

A Rule Table is a new type of Rule configuration introduced in version 7 of Decisions. This feature operates similarly to a Truth Table in that it uses a column and row layout. With a Rule Table, each column is defined with a piece of input data, and each row is used to configure statement Rules for incoming data to be evaluated against. In a Truth Table, as long as input data values match the criteria for some combination of columns and rows, then an output value will be reached. In a Rule Table, the only way that an output value is reached is if the input values match the statement Rule configured in a row.

Creating a Rule Table

1. From a Designer Project, select the CREATE RULE button from the top Action Bar. 
2. When the dialog appears, navigate to the Truth Table section on the left, then select the Rule Table option.
3. Provide a name for the Rule Table when the box appears and select CREATE.
   
4. In the Rule Table Designer, select the SETUP INPUT DATA to configure the data that this rule is expecting to receive. 
   
5. When the button is selected, a popout will appear with a LIST VIEW Data Designer.
6. Use this area to configure data members for the Rule that are related to the project or reference an existing Design Pattern. 
7. Select the Save button on the top Action Bar of the Data Designer popout, then select the 'x' in the top corner.
   For more information on configuring data with the Data Designer and Design Patterns, please visit the Data Designer and Design Pattern Overview article.
   Editing Input Data in a Rule Table

   Editing the NAME of an existing data member will cause a new column to create with the new name and apply a validation warning to the column using the previous name. Editing the TYPE of an existing data member does not create a new column, but it does remove previous configurations for the cell from the previous type.
   
   
8. Column headers populate automatically with the previously configured input data.
9. The Verb portion of the Rule logic is used to configure statements that the received data is evaluated against. 
   In order for an output value to be determined, the data received must evaluate successfully against the conditions of an entire row. Data values cannot match other row conditions to reach a certain output like with Truth Tables.
   
   
10. Once the Rule Table has been configured, select the Debug button from the top Action Bar.
11. In the Debug window, enter some data values for the table to evaluate.
12. Select the START DEBUGGING button to see what output result is reached after the evaluation.