Pega Terminology

Important Terminology

function rule — A rule that performs a computation or other useful operation, based on the value of input parameters. Function rules are grouped into libraries. The name of the library is part of the formal name of each member function.

library — A named collection of function rules, typically all relating to one general theme, such as calendar dates.

local variables — A named text value, number or date that is used only temporarily during the execution of an activity. When the activity completes, the local variables are no longer defined.

method — One of about 70 atomic operations that can happen in a single activity step. For example, the Property-Set method updates the value of one or more properties. The Obj-Open method retrieves a single row of a table in the PegaRULES database and converts it to a clipboard page or pages.

parameter — An input value to a specific execution of an activity that can affect the behavior and operation of the activity. For example, if an activity is designed to change the status of a work item, one of the input parameters is the key of the work item. (Other parameter values can be "return" values, available to a calling activity after the called activity completes.)

page — A named, structured collection of property name and property value pairs. The clipboard is a collection of named pages, organized into a tree structure.

primary page — A clipboard page that is the default page for the operations of an activity. While one activity may update multiple pages, if no page is explicitly identified in a step, the method in the step typically operates on the primary page.

Tracer tool — An interactive debugging tool that lets you display each step of activity execution, pause or restart execution, and display clipboard values.