Operation of the Binding Editor
Use
The binding editor is used to define bindings between two
containers. In the case of binding definition between task container and workflow container, between task container and method container as well as between workflow and rule container, you can process both directions of binding at the same time. You can only process one direction of binding for the remaining binding definitions.Integration
Each binding definition is linked to the execution of an action which processes the data provided and produces results that can be returned. The following actions can be carried out:
Features
If Drag&Drop has been made possible for the binding editor, the source container is displayed in the top left-hand screen area and target container and the system fields that can be selected are displayed in the top right-hand screen area.
The binding definitions that you can process are displayed in the lower screen area:
) is displayed. The associated binding is executed at runtime before the action. This binding definition is always available.
) is displayed. The associated binding is executed at runtime after the action. This binding definition is only available if the action can produce results that can be made available to the source container.If Drag&Drop has not been made possible for the binding editor, only the binding definitions are displayed.
Each binding row comprises two fields that generally contain expressions for the source and target of the binding. The binding direction and binding instruction is displayed between the two expressions. The following binding instructions are supported:
)The content of the source expression is assigned to the target expression. Existing contents of the target expression are lost. The source and target expression are displayed in the binding row.
)The content of the source expression is appended to the multiline container element of the target expression. The source and target expression are displayed in the binding row.
)A function module that uses the BOR container is executed. The name of the function module used is displayed in the binding row on the left. For more information, see
)A function module that uses the container interface is executed. The name of the function module used is displayed in the binding row on the left. For more information, see
)The container element of the target container is over-written by the container element of the source element with the same name.
Depending on the binding instruction chosen, you can still activate options that apply for the binding row. In this way, you can let the workflow system handle errors that occur, for example, in the execution of the binding row, as a warning.
All binding rows are processed one after the other from top to bottom. Here, results from earlier binding rows can be over-written by later binding rows. It is also possible to only fill individual container elements in a programmed binding and to use other binding instructions for the remaining container elements.
By using 
in your personal settings you can determine if you want to use Drag&Drop for the creation and whether each binding row is to be checked immediately or first when the binding editor is exited.
Binding definition from source container to target container
Here you process the allocation of values to elements in the target container. You can only define one binding to the container elements of the target container for which the Import indicator is set.
Binding definition from target container to source container
Here you process the assignment from the elements of the target container. You can only define a binding from the container elements of the target container for which the indicator Export is set.
Display and Definition of Container Elements
If you select a container element in the upper part of the screen, you can choose from the context menu whether the container elements of this container are to be displayed with their technical name or their name.
If you need the definition of a container element, select the container element and choose Properties in the context menu.
Permitted entries for expressions
Target expressions may not refer to object attributes.
If the target expression refers to a structure, the source expression must also refer to a structure.
If the source expression refers to a multiline container element, but the target expression refers to a single-line container element, then the first row is transferred.
It is possible with a binding definition from the workflow to the task container to assign a multiline source element line-by-line to a single-line target element for dynamic parallel processing. To do this, use the format
&<multiline element>()& as the source expression.
In the activity that is used for the dynamic, parallel processing, the multiline element of the workflow container must be entered as a Multiline container element on the Other tab page. For more information, see
Activities
Create the binding rows required by transferring the corresponding expressions to the individual columns of the binding rows by using the F4 input help. Ensure that the individual binding rows are executed in the order in which they are listed in the binding editor. If necessary, change this order.
If Drag&Drop is possible in the personal settings, you can also fill the individual cells by dragging a container element or a container element attribute from the top screen area to the cell with the mouse. You can also directly move a container element (attribute) of one container to a container element (attribute) of the other container to create a binding row.
If you use the F4 input help in an empty field of a binding row and the other field of the binding row is already filled then those container elements that have a compatible data reference are highlighted in color.
If you want to use a constant as a source in a binding row, you enter this directly in the field.
Then edit the binding instruction and check the options set.