Improved performance comes from addition of a new specialized use case, sequential mode, which is useful for decision tables. JBoss said the feature, which can be turned on or off, can speed up processing by between 30% and 300%. JBoss also said miscellaneous tweaks form code refactoring boosts performance for other rules processing scenarios.
Additionally, JBoss is adding MVFlex Expression Language, a new front end for business analysts and non programmers that provides a higher level language (JBoss terms it more expressive) with the aid of menus to help them piece together rules. For instance, specifying an approval workflow for procurements over $10,000 can be specified by filling in the blanks form drop down menus.
For developers, there is the Eclipse plug-in that provides them with access to Eclipse debuggers and code editors. The new version also includes the ability to group sets of related rules, a feature JBoss calls Rules Flow. The idea is to collate certain sets of rules within the rules engine, so for example, you don’t fire off rules for shipping orders before you have processed and approved them.
JBoss is also introducing a Business Rules Management System. Until now JBoss Rules has been a raw rules engine. As the first step toward productizing JBoss Rules, JBoss’s BRMS is being introduced as a technology preview.
JBoss Rules 4.0 is now generally available, along with the technology preview of the new BRMS.
Our View
For now, JBoss has pitched its rules technology framework as just that, a framework. The pitch is that you have a simpler, less costly rules engine that you can embed in your Java applications as opposed to the full-blown BRMS offerings from incumbents like Ilog and Fair Isaac.
JBoss has a long way to go to attain parity with the more established offerings, but to listen to JBoss, you get the sense that that’s not its goal. It is positioning its offering as a lighter weight, more accessible alternative to spending tens of hundreds of thousands on more complex alternatives.
