S3 supports three types of rules:
- Decision table: A decision table is a way to set up rules in the form of a table, with one or more inputs and one or more outputs.
- Logical rule: A logical rule is flow chart that, when followed, makes a decision, performs a calculation, or triggers an action.
- Excel matrix: An Excel matrix is an imported rule from an Excel document that has column and row parameters that define the data within the matrix.
Whenever you create or update any logic, you should test it to ensure it behaves as intended. Depending on the development stage of your rule, choose from the following scenarios to test your logic:
- Entity based scenario: This tests the logic independent of any application data. In an entity based scenario, you enter made up data for the input values and the value you expect the rule to produce as its result. Then you execute the rule to check if it produces the expected result (pass) or not (fail).
- Excel based scenario: This tests the logic independent of S3 and the database. You create an Excel file for the scenario, enter the desired input values into the spreadsheet, and execute the rule. Once an Excel scenario exists, you can view its test steps in S3 and see the input and output as read-only values.
- Object based scenario: This tests the logic using the application data. In an object based scenario, you enter the mode the rule uses (new or update), the method you want to use to load the data to the object, the ID of the record you want to retrieve the input values from, and the value you expect the rule to produce as its result. Then you execute the rule to check if it passes or fails.
This post is part of the Rules topic. Click here to open the Rules Overview.