User-Defined Variables (UDVs)

UDVs are named in the UDV Management project. Once you name a UDV, you can define it in the appropriate project’s Udv Calculation Ruleset to assign it a value and use the UDV in the Decision Ruleset for the same project. You can also map it for display in the Case Manager.

When writing UDV rules the condition portion of the if...then syntax is effectively the same as other rules. It is the action portion that is different. Below is a sample of UDV code.

if 
      (condition)
then 
      {UDVName = X ;}

In this sample code, you determine what conditions must be present in the transaction to assign the UDV a value. When these conditions are met, you decide what value you would like to assign to the UDV.

Note: Deploying multiple UDVs can affect Scoring Server performance. Consult your FICO Account Manager to assess your needs.

Important: Rule-control keywords identify the portions of rules that define conditions and actions. Use care when implementing the return keyword, as it instructs the rule engine to stop processing remaining rules once the return statement has been encountered. Using a return statement in rules can expedite processing, but it may also affect the expected behavior of the rule. Any changes made to the UDV variables will not be written back to the UDV profiles if a return statement is executed in the UDV Calculation Ruleset; therefore, using a return statement in the UDV Calculation Ruleset is not recommended. See Rule Components for information about the keywords that may be used in rules. If there are UDV calculations in a decision ruleset, the same caution must be taken when using a return statement. A flush command can be inserted to ensure UDV calculations in a decision ruleset are persisted to the data store.

When to Use a UDV

UDVs relate to the concept of profiling and to the ability to use historical transactional data in current rules. If you cannot gather all the data necessary within a single transaction (to create a case or send authorization advice to the authorization system to decline the transaction), then a UDV is required.

Searching for UDV Rule Dependencies

Use the Global Search project to locate where a specific UDV name or UDV rule is used so that if you wish to revise or remove a UDV rule, you can review all projects and decision rules that apply it.

UDV Aging with Couchbase

Couchbase's built-in aging capability applies to UDV records. An expiration time/time to live (in days) can be configured for new and imported UDV records, when Couchbase is implemented.