What's New in Common Knowledge 4.0?

There are a number of exciting new rule formats in Common Knowledge 4.0

• Test Suites - Test Suites are a rule format that allow you to create, maintain and execute comprehensive sets of tests for your business rules. Features include:

• Tests can be integrated directly into your business rule definitions
• Tests can be hierarchically structured in Test Suites, Test Folders, Test Scenarios, and Test Cases
• Test Suites can have an arbitrary number of Test Scenarios, with each Test Scenario representing a specific aspect of testing for the Test Suite
• Test Scenarios can have an arbitrary number of Test Cases, with each test case representing a specific aspect of testing for the Test Scenario
• Test Cases can have an arbitrary number of inputs and verifications (validation of expected results)
• Each Test Scenario can have an arbitrary number of actions that are performed for each associated Test Case
• Test Scenarios can have an arbitrary number of Setup and Teardown actions that are performed prior to and after executing the Test Scenario respectively
• Test Suites can be linked to create powerful test suite collections
• Tests can be executed interactively within Common Knowledge Designer
• Test Suite success and failure counts are maintained and displayed including totals and sub-totals for hierarchically structured test elements
• Total and sub-total durations for each test element are shown, allowing the Test Suite to also be used for rules profiling
• Visual Scripts - Visual Scripts are a rule format that allows you to create rich user interface elements such as forms that can be tightly coupled with your business rules. Features include:

• Build rich forms using drag and drop operations
• All external rules project elements such as context objects, context definitions, and rulesets are accessible from scripts
• Visual Form based rules projects can be launched and packaged using the Common Knowledge Launcher
• Access corporate databases and present data using ADO database components
• Script based handlers supported for visual and non-visual control events
• Many visual and non-visual controls for operations including form layout, data entry, database access, database editing, and dialog handling
• Full intellisense editing when scripting control properties and ruleset element access
• Script access to all external (in scope) project elements such as object, definitions and other rulesets

Common Knowledge Launcher is a standalone business rules micro-server that can be used to independently execute rules authored using Common Knowledge Designer. Common Knowledge Launcher supports the execution of rules in both interactive and batch modes and the packaging of rules into standalone executable applications.

Features include:

• Standalone, interactive execution of business rule solutions
• Standalone, batch execution of business rule solutions
• Package business rules into standalone executables
• Launch visual scripts as standalone, interactive applications
• Comprehensive configuration of execution environments
• Comprehensive logging of results
• Sophisticated low-friction multi-threaded execution micro-server

There are a number of exciting improvements to existing rule formats in Common Knowledge 4.0

• Workflow Node Connections - Workflow nodes can not be connected in arbitrary ways with all node connection points allowing both incoming and outgoing connections to be made. This greatly enhances the ability to manage workflow layout.

• Workflow Node Alignment - Workflow nodes can now be aligned using a range of alignment tools that allow you to more rapidly construct and organise your workflows.

• Color Scheme - An new color scheme across all rule formats greatly improves the appearance and visualisation capabilities of your business rules.
• Zooming - All rule formats can now be zoomed including Decision Tables and Decision grids

Common Knowledge Designer has a number of significant improvements that will add to your ability to effectively capture, document, maintain and validate business rules.

Improvements include:

• Ribbon Menu - A new ribbon based main toolbar enhances command navigation

• Tabbed Interface - Optional switching between a traditional multiple document interface (MDI) and a tabbed view allow you to better navigate between business rule editors and generated documentation
• Summary View - A new summary view enhances the understandability of your business rules through the display of a brief but contextually rich view of the main properties of the currently selected element
• Embedded Viewers - Generated documentation and code can now be viewed within the Common Knowledge Designer IDE
• Start Page - Optionally shown on startup of Common Knowledge Designer, the start page displays important information for first time and regular users including the latest news and announcements from Object Connections

• Full Screen Mode - When editing business rules, use of screen real-estate can be maximised using full screen mode, allowing you to make more of your business rules visible
• File Open - A new file open dialog integrates the opening of regular files, web based files and samples into a single unified view

• Export to PDF - An enhanced print configuration dialog includes the ability to save your business rule views to a PDF file

• Docking Improvements - A new set of docking guides are now displayed as you attempt to dock views within Common Knowledge Designer and Common Knowledge Viewer

The SDK now supports 32 bit and 64 bit compilers and provides support for all major versions of Delphi™

Improvements include:

• 32 and 64 bit - Full 32 bit and 64 bit support for .NET and Delphi (XE2)
• Delphi Releases - Support for all major Delphi releases including:
• Delphi 6
• Delphi 7
• Delphi 2007
• Delphi 2010
• Delphi XE
• Delphi XE2 (32 and 64 bit)
• Rules Manager - The .NET API now includes TOCRulesManager, a component that supports the safe and efficient management of business rules execution in multi-user and mulit-threaded environments such as IIS