Definition of the Workflow Container
In the definition of the workflow container, you process the container elements required for the workflow execution. This may be data that you require for controlling the workflow execution directly, or data that you want to forward from one step execution to another. Every workflow container already contains workflow system elements.
The system no longer evaluates activity-related container elements as of Release 4.6A. The IDs of the activity-related container elements begin with ACTIVITY_< >_ Step Number.
You can assign initial values to container elements at the start of the workflow. You can carry out this initial value assignment in the Workflow Builder or in the definition of the multistep task. For more information, see Creating Container Element.
You can process the workflow container both during definition of the multistep task and from the Workflow Builder.
Container elements for which the import or export indicator is set form the interface of the workflow.
Definition of the data interface
Both the import and the export indicators can be set for container elements.
Container elements of the interface are not subject to the versioning of the workflow definition.
Container elements with import indicator set
These container elements hold the values that can be passed when execution of the workflow is started. If the values have to be passed, set the indicator mandatory as well.
These container elements can be supplied with values in the following ways at the start of execution:
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Using a binding from the event container if the workflow has one or more triggering events
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By initial value assignment
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Using a direct entry if the workflow is started with Test Workflow
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Using direct entry if the workflow is started with start workflow and a start transaction or a form transaction is defined for the workflow
If the object to be processed is not created in the workflow, a container element with import indicator set must be defined in the workflow container, which holds the object reference. You create this container element with a data type reference to the relevant object type.
Container elements with export indicator set
These container elements hold the values which the workflow is to return to a calling workflow. You need them if the workflow is a subworkflow of a superordinate workflow and is to return data to its superordinate workflow.
Definition of local container elements
All container elements for which neither the import nor the export indicator is set are local container elements of the workflow definition. They are only valid in this workflow definition. Typical applications are:
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Passing data from one task container to another
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Determining the responsible agents for a step dynamically
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Setting deadlines dynamically
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Implementing counting loops
All local container elements are subject to the versioning of the workflow definition.
If you create a local container element in the Workflow Builder, it is only included into the workflow definition currently being processed. If you create it in the definition of the multistep task, it is included into all versions existing at the time.
For more information, see Creating Container Element.