Naming pattern changed for file data sets
Valid from Pega Version 8.6.3
File data sets are used to import from and export data to a file repository. In case of data export, prior to version 8.6.3, the first file exported had the same file name that was provided by the user in the data set, and any subsequent file exported to the repository had a unique identifier appended to it. Starting in Pega Platform version 8.6.3, each file has a unique identifier, automatically generated based on the data flow node, thread ID, and timestamp.
Upgrade impact
If your process to consume output files expects files with a specific name, it may not be able to process the resulting files correctly.
What steps are required to update the application to be compatible with this change?
If you have configured the process before updating to Pega Platform version 8.6.3, but the exported files are no longer recognized by downstream processing logic after the upgrade, ensure that the downstream tool is configured to recognize the files by a pattern rather than the full name. For example, when referring to files exported to the repository, use the * character to indicate a pattern instead of using the full file name. For example, use Export*.csv to refer to the files.
Automated Unit Testing is unavailable
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.1
Automated Unit Testing (AUT) is unavailable in 7.1.1 - 7.1.5.
Starting in 7.1.6, users can access AUT features from supported browser versions of IE.
Privilege required for Recent Explorer
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.1
Users with custom roles defined must add the pxUpdateRecents privilege to see work in the Recent Items Explorer.
Deprecated end user portals
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.1
The following portals are no longer be supported:
- SysAdmDD
- WorkUserDD
- WorkManagerDD
As a best practice, customize standard, supported portals rather than update your existing portals to include new features.
Use standard Developer portal
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.1
Customized versions of the Developer portal rely on legacy components and are not supported.
To avoid backwards compatibility issues, update your access group to point to the standard Developer portal prior to upgrade.
Top-level (named) pages may no longer be classless
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.1
Newly created top-level (named) pages may no longer be classless or have a blank pxObjClass property. This change can affect applications upgrading from versions prior to Pega 7 to the latest version, especially when:
- Application logic relies on a blank value in the pxObjClass property.
- An activity assumes a new top-level page is classless and explicitly sets pxObjClass in a Property-Set step.
- A data transform assumes a new top-level page is classless and explicitly sets pxObjClass using a Set action.
To avoid application failures, remove or update any logic that expects a blank pxObjClass. Where possible, use the new engine API that finds a page by both name and class:
findPageWithException(PageName, ClassName);
Activities and data transforms continue to create a top-level page when one does not exist. The class name is now derived from the Pages and Classes tab.
Designer Studio
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.3
Numerous usability improvements were made for this release. A group of cosmetic, functional, and performance enhancements were also included.
- Treegrid controls work more quickly in IE9 and IE10.
- On application ruleforms, the 5.4 "Place Properties on Thread Page" checkbox will work in 7.1.
- Message error handling has been improved.
- Log messages have been cleaned up.
- Connectors may now be used in Data Pages.
- Move Rules wizard has been enhanced to work in Version 7.1.
Decision Strategy Manager
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.3
Fixes were made that improve the configuration and execution of Batch Decisions. In particular, the capability to use Structured Data has been enhanced. Some notable improvements have also been made to the UI of Visual Business Director.
- The structured data input configuration will now work even though there is no data.
- VBD has been enhanced to work with Version 7.1.
- The structured data input configuration will now work with nested structures.
- Association rules from Version 6.3 will now work with 7.1 structured data.
User Interface
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.3
Issues for cross-browser support for Designer Studio have been addressed. Improvements were made in run-time performance for data pages with grids, and a number of cosmetic changes and fixes were made.
- Improved loading of Javascript files during saving Harness rules.
- Login Performance improvements
- A cursor pointer issue was addressed in Case Manager.
- In reports, data in columns will now right-align.
- Improved section validation functionality
- Harnesses with screen layouts will now save when there is a refresh condition on a panel.
- Outline View tree has been improved.
- Improvements to Repeat Grids using Data Pages as a source.
- Formatted text cells can be put into a grid to display the value of a property retrieved from a Report Definition join.
- Designer Studio changes to support IE9 and IE10.
- Improved designer studio layout
- Designer Studio changes to support quirks mode in IE8 and IE9.
- Improvements to SmartLabels in Data Pages
- Tab groups will take parameters for pre-activities in a defer load setup.
- Sections support nested dynamic layouts.
IE8 limits expansion features
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.1
Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) does not support CSS media queries, which are used by re-expansion features in the Designer Studio. IE8 users with low screen resolution (800 x 600) and a small window size may find that the explorer area in the Designer Studio collapses but cannot re-expand.
As a work around, access the Designer Studio from another supported browser version and use the recommended, minimum screen resolution width of 1280 pixels.