Definition of a Container

Use

The elements of a container are described with ID, data type reference and other properties. Container definition is carried out with the container editor.

Note

The container is stored in an XML table. The structure persistence is still available for workflows that were created before Release 6.10. Here, the tables used until Release 4.6D are used. You are to use the XML tables.

Integration

A container definition is not an independent action. Container definitions are always carried out within a definition tool using the editor provided.

Features

Container definition

To describe which data a container can hold at runtime, of which type and under which ID, the container must first be defined. This container definition defines which container elements a container holds. You can define the following containers as required:

Method container
Event container
Rule container
Task container
Workflow container

Note
Usually containers are already defined. These containers hold standard container elements defined by the workflow system. These container elements will often be adequate for your requirements meaning that a more extensive container definition will not be necessary.

Container Instance

A container instance is an instance of a container at runtime. It contains a value of the defined data type for each container element.

If a container contains elements that refer to structures and you use the structure persistence, you can optimize the saving of the container. To do this, condense the containers and check whether these container elements should be saved independently. For more information, see Workflow Runtime Administration.

Binding

Values can be assigned to container elements in different ways.

Value assignment using a binding from another container according to a binding definition carried out previously.
Value assignment directly to a container instance in the program of an application.
Value assignment with an initial value determined at definition time when the container instance is created.

Note
If a target container from a source container element is to be filled with a binding at runtime and if the source container element is initial, then determine in the options of the binding instruction whether the target container element is changed.

When processing container instances within a program for object type implementation (write and read accesses), use the macro instructions provided.

Activities

You can perform these activities from the container editor. The editor is called at the following places:

For the method container or the event container in the Business Object Builder.

Note
When you create a method parameter or an event parameter, it is automatically stored in the relevant container.
For the task container or the workflow container in the task definition or the workflow definition
For the rule container in the definition of the rules for agent determination

Creating Container Elements

To create a new container element, select .

Editing container elements

Double-click on the relevant table entry to edit a container element.

Copying, cutting, or pasting container elements

You select an element in a container by positioning the cursor on the relevant line and choosing . You can copy or cut selected container elements. If they are pasted in again, you must rename them.