As you create Templates and Rules you will also add Parameters that provide element of control over them.
You may also want to provide users with a helping hand to ensure the values added to the parameter are accurate and appropriate.
Global Parameters provide this functionality.
Global Parameters work by exactly matching the name of the Global Parameter to the name of the Parameter or Data Grid column within your Templates.
When a match occurs, configurations applied to the Global Parameter can cascade down to all the matching Parameters in all the Rules that have a match. This can save a lot of time, changing a value in the Global Parameter changes it everywhere..
Let's break the functionality down:
Assigning Parameter Formats
The Global Parameter can be created in one of four Data Types. These are
String
Number
Date
Picklist
Selecting a data type will assign this data type to the Global Parameter and then cascade down through to any matched Parameters. This allows us to provide validation on the values entered in the parameter field or offer wizards for Dates or Picklists to provide accurate and simplified value entry.
Picklist values are configured in the Global Parameter. This restricted list is then available to the user in the matched parameter. This can be useful to ensure an appropriate value is always provided by a user.
Provide Confidentiality
Where a Global Parameter is marked as confidential we will store any value provided but we will not allow the value to be viewed or extracted again for security reasons. The value is starred out in all screens.
The value will continue to work but it is not available for review in the user interface.
When a Rule containing a Confidential Global Parameter is downloaded we will redact the Confidential values in the downloaded item (KTR). The user will need to manually add these values back as required for development or testing.
Confidentiality is useful if passwords, keys or other values need to be added in a solution used my multiple people with differing security rights but where it still need to be adjustable.
Alongside Confidentially you can choose whether or not to show the parameters in any screens apart from the Global Parameter screen. In effect you can choose to make it visible or not in Rules. This may be appropriate where you as an admin want to set a default but have no expectations that this value will need to changed in the Rules.
Restrictions on editing
If a Global Parameter does not have Editable set, users in other screens will see that a value exists and the value but they will not be able to change it. This can be used in conjunction with Confidential so users can see the value is present and populated but not what it contains.
Forced Global Parameter Values
Selecting Forced for a Global Parameter will force the default value for the Global Parameters onto any matching parameter in any Rule. These default values can be set differently for each Target. Using our discount code example, the Free Delivery Code threshold default could be set to $50 in Production but $40 in Development. Copying the Rule from Development into Production will automatically take the default value from the Global Parameter setup within the Target in which it is saved.
Units - Units allows a user to provide the type of unit used in the Global Parameter.
Global Parameter Name and Operational Information
Each Global Parameter has a description.
Delete a Global Parameter by clicking on the Delete button at the far right of the Global Parameter row.
Be aware that Global Parameters by their very nature may affect parameters in multiple Rules and deleting one could have an impact on Rules in any Target.
Add a new Global Parameter by clicking on the Orange plus icon at the top right-hand side. Be very careful when adding new Global Parameters especially when they are set to force the defaults. As soon as the Global Parameter is created it will change each matching Parameter in each Target to take the Global Parameter defaults provided.