What is a key difference between declarative rules and procedural rules in Pega?

Declarative rules in Pega are designed to respond automatically to changes in data or conditions within an application. This means that when certain conditions are met or when specific data is updated, declarative rules will trigger actions without requiring explicit instructions from the user or additional processing logic. This characteristic makes them particularly useful for maintaining data integrity and ensuring that business logic remains dynamic and context-sensitive.

In contrast to how procedural rules operate, declarative rules enhance efficiency by reducing the need for manual updates and intervention. While procedural rules often involve defined steps or sequences that a developer codes to perform tasks, such as updating a user interface or processing a transaction, declarative rules focus on reactive behavior.

Understanding this key distinction emphasizes how Pega’s framework is set up to minimize the manual workload needed to keep business rules consistent and relevant as applications evolve. This functionality is critical in complex systems where data can frequently change, ensuring responses are timely and relevant without needing direct user involvement.