When you enroll in a pega course online, one of the first architectural concepts you learn is how inheritance works in Pega classes.
Two common inheritance models used in Pega are Pattern Inheritance and Directed Inheritance. Understanding the difference between them is essential for designing clean class hierarchies and is a key topic in the best pega online training programs.
In this blog, we’ll explain what pattern inheritance and directed inheritance are, how they differ, and when to use each.
What Is Inheritance in Pega?
Inheritance in Pega allows a class to reuse rules defined in another class. When a rule is not found in the current class, Pega automatically looks for it in parent classes based on the inheritance structure.
This reuse mechanism:
✔ Reduces duplication
✔ Improves consistency
✔ Simplifies maintenance
Inheritance is a foundational topic in any pega course online.
What Is Pattern Inheritance?
Definition
Pattern inheritance is Pega’s default inheritance model. It follows the class name structure, moving up the hierarchy by removing class name segments from right to left.
How Pattern Inheritance Works
For a class:
Pega searches rules in this order:
MyApp-Work-CaseType
MyApp-Work
MyApp
@baseclass
Key Characteristics
✔ Automatic and implicit
✔ Based on naming conventions
✔ No manual configuration required
Pattern inheritance is widely used and strongly emphasized in the best pega online training programs.
What Is Directed Inheritance?
Definition
Directed inheritance is an explicit inheritance model where a class directly points to a specific parent class, regardless of its naming structure.
How Directed Inheritance Works
A class is manually configured to inherit from another class using the Directed Inheritance setting.
Example:
Key Characteristics
✔ Explicit and manually defined
✔ Overrides naming-based inheritance
✔ Useful for advanced design scenarios
Directed inheritance is typically introduced in advanced sections of a pega course online.
Key Differences Between Pattern and Directed Inheritance
| Feature | Pattern Inheritance | Directed Inheritance |
|---|---|---|
| Inheritance Type | Implicit | Explicit |
| Based On | Class name structure | Manually specified parent |
| Configuration Required | No | Yes |
| Flexibility | Limited to naming | High |
| Risk Level | Low | Higher if misused |
| Beginner-Friendly | Yes | No |
These differences are clearly covered in the best pega online training programs.
When to Use Pattern Inheritance
Pattern inheritance should be your default choice.
Recommended Use Cases
✔ Standard class hierarchies
✔ Work, Data, and Integration classes
✔ Applications following Pega best practices
Most production applications rely heavily on pattern inheritance, which is why it’s a core topic in every pega course online.
When to Use Directed Inheritance
Directed inheritance should be used sparingly and only when necessary.
Recommended Use Cases
✔ Reusing framework rules across implementations
✔ Complex enterprise architectures
✔ Special design constraints
Directed inheritance is typically used by experienced developers trained through the best pega online training.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Overusing directed inheritance
❌ Ignoring standard class naming conventions
❌ Mixing inheritance types without clear design
❌ Creating deep, complex inheritance chains
These mistakes are often highlighted as warnings in advanced pega course online modules.
Why This Topic Matters for Pega Careers
Understanding inheritance models helps you:
✔ Design reusable applications
✔ Clear Pega certification exams
✔ Troubleshoot rule resolution issues
✔ Work confidently on enterprise projects
That’s why the difference between pattern and directed inheritance is a must-know concept in the best pega online training.
Conclusion
Pattern inheritance and directed inheritance serve different purposes in Pega class design. Pattern inheritance is automatic, safer, and recommended for most use cases, while directed inheritance offers flexibility but requires careful design.
If you’re serious about mastering Pega, understanding when and how to use these inheritance models through a structured pega course online and best pega online training will set you up for long-term success.
