Variables in a Rulebase

You can reference several kinds of variables in a rulebase. By referencing variables, the rulebase can adapt to changes on multiple machines. For example, not all machines store log files or temporary files in the same directory. Also, rulebases used on multiple platforms have subtle differences in how path names are expressed. You can use variables rather than specifying this information manually.

When an action contains variable substitution, a new alert is generated each time the test is true and the value of the variable changes. Variable substitution is most useful for values that are slowly changing, very important or both.

Note	Variable substitution affects the performance of rulebase processing. Therefore, you must reference a variable only when it provides a clear benefit.

Supported Variables Types

The following types of variables are supported in a TIBCO Hawk rulebase:

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External, such as user-defined variables

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Internal, such as the name of a test in a rule

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Data source, such as a microagent method result field (Data source variables can be referenced in actions only)

Referencing these variables outside of a rulebase is not supported.