The Expression Builder tool in System Center Updates Publisher is available on the Define Prerequisite Rules, Define Applicability Rules, and Define Installed Rules pages of the Create Update Wizard and Modify Update Wizard. The following procedure describes how to use the Expression Builder to add, edit, and delete rules, and logically group the rules defined for each type of software update verification.
To create rules and group them using Expression Builder
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In the Create Update Wizard or Modify Update Wizard, go to the Define Prerequisite Rules, Define Applicability Rules, or Define Installed Rules page.
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Click the Add Rule icon, and in the Add Rule dialog box, configure the new rule by performing one of the following actions:
- Select from one of the following rule
categories:
Create Basic rule: Creates a basic rule that checks for a specific file, file version, registry key, and so on. There are over 20 rule types available for basic rules. For more information, see Basic Rules.
Create MSI rule: Creates an MSI (Windows Installer) rule that checks for a specific software update, product, component, or feature. For more information about Windows Installer rules, see MSI Rules.
Use existing rule: Uses a previously created rule. The properties for the rule can be modified, if required.
- Choose the Rule Type from the
drop-down list. The rule types for the specified rule category are
listed.
- Configure the properties for the specified
rule type. Information about each rule type is available in the
Updates
Publisher Rules section.
- Specify a name for the rule in the Save
your rule as text box to reuse the rule.
- Select from one of the following rule
categories:
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Repeat the actions in step 2 to create additional rules.
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In the Expression Builder, use the appropriate icons to organize and group the set of defined rules. The icons are as follows:
- Add Group icon: Groups, or nests, the
selected rules. Select one or more rules, and then click the Add
Group icon to add a sub-grouping of logical
And/Or expressions. By default, all groupings are
added as Or expressions, but can be changed to the
And operator. Rules can be nested three layers deep in the
Expression Builder.
- Delete Group icon: Deletes the group
for the selected rules. Select one or more updates that have been
grouped together, and then click the Delete Group icon to
remove the grouping.
- Move Up icon: Moves the highlighted
rule up in the list of rules.
- Move Down icon: Moves the highlighted
rule down in the list of rules.
- Delete icon: Deletes the highlighted
rule from the software update definition. Saved rules are still
available in the Manage Rules dialog box.
- Add Group icon: Groups, or nests, the
selected rules. Select one or more rules, and then click the Add
Group icon to add a sub-grouping of logical
And/Or expressions. By default, all groupings are
added as Or expressions, but can be changed to the
And operator. Rules can be nested three layers deep in the
Expression Builder.
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After the expression is built, use the XML View tab to view the expression in XML format.
See Also
Tasks
How to Create a Software Update DefinitionReference
Add Rule Dialog BoxExpression Builder