Exploring Rulex Platform¶
The operating center of Rulex Platform is constituted by its Explorer panel and the first operation you need to perform after entering any component of the software is to open it.
This icon present on the left of the component toolbar allows you to access the Explorer.
This is the navigation panel where you can find all the information which stored inside Rulex Platform.
As any OS explorer, even Rulex Platform Explorer owns its “folders” (called environments) and its “files” (called resources) which constitute the building blocks of any Rulex application.
As general filesystem files, even resources can be different in type and can store different information. In general, they are divided into two categories:
General resources: they are available in more than one component and can be modified at Platform level. Example of this kind are databases which are used both in Rulex Factory and in Rulex Studio.
Primary resources: they are linked to a specific component and are controlled, constructed and managed by the related component only. Example of this kind are flows for factory.
On any resource and environment the user can define a particular sets of permissions which allows data segregation and access control to the information stored in the application.
In this section and in the related pages a focus on the general characteristics of environment and resources is provided, as well as a detailed description of the General resources.
You will find below a general introduction to Primary resources, while a more detailed description is provided through dedicated pages in each component’s manual. For example, you can find:
flows: described at this page in Rulex Factory.
Environments¶
An Environment is a container of resources which has specific options and sources. By default, the first environment automatically created takes its name from the username of your machine (e.g. Env_username).
It is also possible to create other Environments within the default one, or you can create environments which aren’t linked to it.
Working with Environments helps not only dividing flows and having an organized Explorer, but helps all the company working effectively.
Environments are very useful when different groups of professionals work on the software, as the information about all the variables, permissions, and so on can be set at environment level, meaning that all the resources within the environment, like flows and views, inherit them. Changes to the resources can be done at flow or view level, but only by users who have permissions. This allows:
Security, as sensitive data can be set and viewed by authorized users throughout an advanced permission management system. For example, if you need a SharePoint connection, where datasets coming from different departments are stored, but the passwords are owned only by the admins, they can set the connection to the filesystem without sharing passwords, and the users in charge of building flows can import the files in it. This avoids data loss, as well as password loss and security issues due to password sharing.
Scalability: as enterprises have different departments which work on the software in different ways, the creation of environments makes easier for users to exchange information and use the same connection information without modifying anything within the Environment.
Change management: this way you can have complete control over changes, as only those who have specific permissions can update or modify the options.
Resources¶
A resource is an object, saved within an environment, which can be used in any flow or environment built within the environment.
You can create a network of permissions on specific resources through the permission panel, such as allowing or forbidding other users to view, modify, and delete the resource.
The following resources are provided in Rulex Platform:
See also
To find more about general resources, see the dedicated page.
See also
To find our more about how to set permissions, see the Permissions page.
Useful Icons¶
Button |
Name |
Purpose |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Explore resources |
Located in the top-left corner of the stage, clicking this icon opens the Explorer panel, where you can browse through the resources within the current Environment and create new ones. Within the Explorer, you can also visualize the path within the software and browse through the existing environments. |
|
Primary filter |
If switched on, only the primary resource and the environments within the current environment will be displayed in the Explorer. If switched off, all the resources (including primary resources and environments) within the current environment will be displayed in the Explorer. |
|
Plus |
Located within the explorer panel, hovering this icon allows you to perform different operations within the current Environment. If the Primary Filter slider is selected, you can:
If the Primary Filter is not selected, you can:
The <primary resource> placeholder stands for flow in Rulex Factory component and view in Rulex Studio components. |
To select or interact with the chosen resource, follow the guidelines listed below:
Procedure
Click the Explore resources icon to open the Explorer panel.
To show all the resources click on the Primary filter on the upper right side of the panel.
Navigate through the environment using the Navigation path located in the upper side of the panel.
Search for the desired resource using the Search Icon placed next to the Primary filter.
Once you have found the desired resource or environment you can interact with it by right-clicking on it.
- Using General Resources
- Introduction to Primary Resources
- Understanding Environments
- Using the Environment Variables
- Resource permissions