In this post I want to introduce you to recent improvements in BRFplus that we found very helpful in customer projects.
Automatic deletion of unnamed unused objects
Such objects are created when, for example, a rule is created in a ruleset and then removed again (without writing a version). BRFplus already tries to filter out such objects when saving. In case they were saved, BRFplus deletes them automatically.
Valid for NW 7.0 Enhancement Package 2 (NW702) and NW 7.3 Enhancement Package 1 (NW703/731).
Automatic deletion of objects set to “Marked for Deletion”
Objects marked for deletion are now periodically checked for using objects. As soon as there are no references, the object is automatically deleted. This means that from now on, any object which shall be deleted but cannot, because it has using objects, can be set to “Marked for Deletion”. Manual deletion is no longer necessary.
Valid for NW 7.3 Enhancement Package 1 (NW703/731).
New versioning mode Version by Transport
The new mode gets a new version of an object whenever an object is transported. This concept is taken over from ABAP code which gets a new version when a transport is released. Valid for NW 7.3 Enhancement Package 1 (NW703/731).
Versioning is not mandatory anymore for usage of lean trace.
Valid for NW 7.0 Enhancement Package 2 (NW702) and NW 7.3 Enhancement Package 1 (NW703/731).
Simulation using generated code
Simulation can now be done using the generated code directly. In this case the lean trace protocol will be shown as the simulation output.
Valid for NW 7.3 Enhancement Package 1 (NW703/731).
Simulation for expressions
Expressions can now be simulated directly. There is no need to create a function just for the sake of simulation.
Valid for NW 7.3 Enhancement Package 1 (NW703/731).
Execution of actions in simulation
It is now possible to define whether actions should be executed. In some situations the execution of actions is required for testing. In others it may not be a good idea because of the side effects.
Valid for NW 7.3 Enhancement Package 1 (NW703/731).
Simulation based on historic and inactive versions
Historic and inactive versions can now be used for simulation. The simulation protocol has been improved with respect to clarity and structuring (e.g. expandable rows in decision tables).
Valid for NW 7.3 Enhancement Package 1 (NW703/731).
Search in the simulation protocol (also search in lean trace output)
A free text search feature has been introduced.
Valid for NW 7.3 Enhancement Package 1 (NW703/731).
Introduction of Hot Keys
In the BRFplus workbench, you can now configure hot keys for a big part of the functionality.
Valid for NW 7.3 Enhancement Package 1 (NW703/731).
Improved code template generator
On the function UI there is a code template generator (previously only as a backend report). The code template provides various options. It has been improved several times.
Valid for NW 7.3 Enhancement Package 1 (NW703/731).
Rule improvements
A rule can now also call an expression in cases where the expression result is not a field in the context. Therefore, it is possible to define a target data object the expression result shall be copied to. The following screenshot shows an example. The formula expression “Apply Promotion” returns a result field called “Price”. In the ruleset context, there is a field called “Final Price”, which shall take the result of the formula. In the screenshot you can see how it is possible to pick a field to take the result of the expression call.